2021 La Ladera | Aroma: mineral, rocks, anise, roasted pineapple, cooked agave, apple, quince paste, grapefruit, vanilla, citrus . Palate: citrus orange, black pepper, sweet-sour agave, orange peel, alcohol, morita or guajillo pepper, mineral, and light smoke. Finish: medium, pleasant, sweet and Smokey. It needs to be aired for 5 min before experiencing the full body of this destilado. . I hope Tomas Estes and Carlos Camarena vision is carried on for ever.

2021 La Ladera | Purchased in October 2021 for 50USD. Medium to medium-fast tears and has medium viscosity on palate. Nose is interesting, but not quite as pronounced as the 2020 La Loma blanco I recently picked up. Flavor is pleasing, quite mineral like and citrusy. This is the first time I'm having an Ocho bottling of agave harvested in the same calendar year. Perhaps, I am a bit used to glass aged Ocho expressions, so I will have to let this open up and also rest in the bottle a bit more in order to make a better conclusion. There is something on the nose that seems to be begging to come forward, but needs more time.

2020 La Loma | First, the aroma blew me away. Then, the flavor did. Wow! I'm not quite sure which notes I'm picking up just yet as this is my first pour, but this tequila is very unique and extraordinary and has a lot to offer. Purchased in September 2021 for about USD50; well worth the price.

2019 La Laja | I didn’t enjoy the nose much. I picked up a bit much alcohol but it was countered by a lime/tangerine zest I did like. Once sipping, the alcohol level dissipates on the tongue which was calming. Enjoyed the mid level viscosity and natural sweetness of the cooked agave which is definitely present.

2020 La Loma | 2020 La Loma! Wow is this a great supper! Real agave nose. Soft, balanced entry. A slight natural sweetness. Just a pinch of heat mid palate and a long, lingering finish. Delicious!!!

2021 El Pastizal | Cerro Grande is my favourite from the recent releases but between this and La Loma I would have a hard time picking one. Both are excellent and are probably the best value blancos that are easily accesible in my area.

2021 La Ladera | Nose: Sweet and spicy start. Minerals and earthiness. Pineapple and citrus. Cinnamon and nutmeg. A spritz of grapefruit zest. Mature agave aromas oozing natural richness. Flavor: The aromas seemed airy and ebullient. The flavors weigh in with more depth and complexity. Spice, cinnamon and pepper on the front palate. The spice warmth spreads mid palate, moving to the back palate. Back palate is host to coffee, dark chocolate, caramel and ancho pepper notes. The buttery sweetness has a dark quality to it: perhaps palm sugar, piloncillo, or light molasses? Gobs of light colored tree fruit (candied apple?) marrying seamlessly into the blend. Coats the mouth nicely and has a balanced, pleasing finish.

2021 El Pastizal | Nose: A big wallop of fruity agave, dripping with sweetness; aromas of lemon, lime zest, pineapple and a kiss of mint. Chalky minerals, thyme, allspice and freshly cut grass. Flavors: Dynamic mouth filling, vibrant flavors satisfying every part of the palate. Rich oily agave dusted in sugar, cinnamon, anise and spice. Buttery roasted nuttiness. Salinity punctuated with complementary pepper punch. Rich baked tropical fruits. A great round feel in the mouth. And the finish lingers and blossoms.

2020 La Loma | Nose: cooked agave, nutmeg, grapefruit, olive brine, cinnamon, and honey Flavor: Cooked agave, cinnamon, citrus, sweetness of honey, earthy, and buttery mouth feel Finish: is long, creamy, with white pepper, and agave

2020 La Loma | The grassier character of previous estates is traded out for nutmeg and tamarind. Definitely one of the more unique bottlings.

2020 La Loma | 2020 La Loma - Nose: green apples, tamarind, citric, salty caramel, cooked agave. Molasses, honey, eucalyptus, mint, rosemary. Palate; green banana, sweet potatoes, mineral, roasted corn and agave. Finish long with character, balanced, semi sweet with hint of black pepper.

2020 La Loma | The best Ocho Plata release for me since the '14 La Magueyera and '15 La Latilla.

2020 La Loma | Nose: Lime, slightly green Bartlett pears and Honeycrisp apples. Cinnamon and finely ground mild pepper. Sweet and buoyant aromas. Flavor: The flavors are far more robust than the aromas promised. The pepper takes on more intensity and lingers on the tongue. The sweet aroma of agave takes on a buttery, mouth watering, caramelized saltiness. The cinnamon taunts and teases the silky agave, creating a pleasing palate sensation. Finish: This wraps up with grilled green peppers, slightly green bananas, incredible natural sweetness, blooming spices and a lengthy, creamy farewell.

2020 Cerro Grande | Nose: It’s been a couple of years since an Ocho has “wowed” me with aromas this bold and appealing. Citrus (lemon, lime, grapefruit), cedar, thyme, cinnamon, minerals and great agave sweetness. It pops. Flavor: Fully mature, silky, deep agave goodness - the aromas of caramelizing brown sugar. Pepper and spice and salinity accompany. Some earthiness and a hint of coffee. Great combination of velvet mouth feel, and pepper punch. Finish and final impressions: A recommended Ocho, indeed.

2019 La Laja | Nose: Minerals interwoven with rich, sweet caramelizada agave aromas. Much like sucking on a chunk of cooked agave. A tingly sharpness gently assaulting the nose. A touch of cinnamon and fresh mint. Vegetal and herbaceous: aromas of rosemary, thyme, and dill. Overall impression is one of clean notes and crispness. Lighter fruit and spice aromas, as opposed to heavier notes. Applesauce? Flavors: Leading off with ripe sweet agave and a punch of white and black pepper. Nuttiness: walnuts and a hint of almond. Citrus zest and pineapple notes. There is an appealing licorice rich agave undercurrent throughout the nosing and tasting.

2018 El Vergel | Nose: Roasted yams, a sweet cellar/mineral scent, green vegetative aromas, pears and celery. Light pepper and spice notes. Flavor: Caramel like agave, a dash of salt, and a couple of heavy grinds of green peppercorns. Pears, cinnamon, ginger and the zest of grapefruit and oranges. The pepper heat reaches a crescendo carrying with it some bitterness.

2015 Loma Alta | Bottle #57. Nose: 1st pass, minerals and grapefruit. 2nd pass, mango, dill, earthy agave and big herbal notes. Flavor: Dill, white pepper, grapefruit rind and a suggestion of anise and mint. I’m losing some of the fruitiness found on the nosing, but picking up some spices. Salted caramel with a nice oily feel.

2015 La Latilla | 2015 La Latilla - Aroma: Caramel, brown sugar, cooked agave, pepper, anise, celery. Palate; Herbal, peppermint, molasses, mineral. Finish; Oregano, olives, mineral, cooked agave, dry fruits. Finish medium.

2019 La Coruña | Nose: Fruity, floral, grapefruit zest, cucumber, green pepper and flinty minerals. Caramel like agave sweetness. Flavor: Searing white pepper heat carrying a touch of bitterness. A little thin in the mouth. Simple sweetness with no associated nuances that my palate can pick up. Trace vanilla and pineapple. The aromas promised more than the tasting. Finish: A nagging bitter sensation. I am an unabashed Ocho fan. The last four out of five Blanco releases for 2018 and 2019 (El Bajío, El Vergel, La Coruña and La Laja), have not been quite as impressive as those of previous vintages, IMO.

2018 Las Presas | Citrus, cooked agave, cloves, and lots of pepper

2019 La Coruña | Citrus, pepper, grass, agave aromas. Medium thick mouthfeel. Agave and dried grass flavor.

2019 La Coruña | Cooked agave, wet earth, mint, mineral. Slight mint and cinnamon taste with a black pepper finish, but sweeter than I prefer.

2016 Puerta Del Aire | Nose: This has a crisp snap to the nose. Rich, ripe agave blast accompanied by minerals and spices: cinnamon and nutmeg. Freshly cut lime zest and green bananas. A tiny perfume-like or floral aroma. Flavor: Punchy white pepper wrapped in chewy agave richness. A buttery toffee note. Silky in the mouth. A lot of opulence in this blanco. Finish: As the pepper heat reluctantly recedes, it reveals some herbal notes and trace cedar. Once again showcasing the agave.

2014 La Magueyera | Nose: Intense agave. Airy fruity and floral scents. A subtle almond cream note. My nose did a double take on the crisp mineral, mint and citrus notes. A tropical feel to this. First Class. Flavors: Silky and buttery in the mouth - but not without a small pepper blast, however. Creamy sweet agave, a sprinkle of salt and vanilla/almond/licorice/toffee/nutmeg notes in 5 part harmony. A few herbal notes, just to hold your interest. When you step back from the individual component flavors, you get a cohesive total experience that makes this a stand out Plata. I recommend this highly.

2017 Los Nopales | For some reason this has shown up at a couple of retailers after being held back from the US market by Southern Wine and Spirits, the distributor in CA and other states for some Fleming Steakhouse $100 Margarita promotion bullshit. Finally tasting this blanco which should have been out 2 years ago. Citrus nose gives way to roast agave gives way to white pepper and a fade to some lingering sweetness. I don't like this as much as the 2016 Los Patos which was great, almost Ocho defining, while this is only very, very good. As if that's a bad thing, right?