Funky nose due to mallo, flavors and mouth feel are all on point. Pricey but unique.

cazcanes no 9 joven I still can't get into the lactic nose of cazcanes. smells like blue cheese. but when u get past the nose, the palate is much better. flavor is good. my rating is lower because of the nose and value - $100 is more than I want to pay for this

Unique profile complexity. Never tasted this on tequila only Mezcal. Aroma reminded me of walking to a movie theater; butter, pecorino cheese, and olive brine. Definitely lactic profile. Cooked agave was barely noticeable. Flavor: the cooked agave shines in here, and it’s surprisingly harmonious with the complimentary notes of spices, bell pepper, olive, caramel, butterscotch, herbaceous and herbal nuances. Interesting joven expression, good job on doing something different. Looking forward to pair it during a meal

Lot 1: Funky paramesan aroma with agave, fresh grass, and cinnamon—very unique. No lactic cheese on the taste however, how strange. The flavor is really nice. I’m getting agave, apricot, olive brine, bell pepper, minerals, and red pepper flakes, on a creamy mouth with a high proof kick. I expected not to like this because the idea of a funky aroma doesn’t appeal to me. But there’s no doubt the flavor is amazing. The price is high and the aroma is not for everyone, but this is still well worth trying. Score = 88 Lot 2 (Jan ‘22): Not as funky on the nose as Lot 1, and every bit as good. For me the lower funk is a good thing. I’m raising my score. Score = 92

Lot 1

Nose: In a word: FUNKY. Cheese dominates the nose initially, them agave and caramel right behind it. I’ve never smelled a tequila like this. A hint of berries and yeast, nice natural sweetness. Palate: Bold and aromatic, lots of cooked agave and butter are prominent. A little heat, but surprisingly mild for 50%. As I let it sit, it opens up and I get some caramel, and the berries. A little bit of cinnamon and some of that lactic funky taste coming through, but very nice and mild. Incredibly complex, I keep getting more and more. Overall: Shockingly unique and interesting tequila, I’ve never had anything like this. I could sip this all day, and I can already tell I need another bottle.

Another MBTC tasting. The thimble sized pours were entertaining...

Sampled at MBTC 2021. Aroma and flavor have heavy butter and parmesan notes. It reminded me of movie theater popcorn. A really interesting characteristic to have in a tequila, and something I'd never tasted in any other.

Smell is like old cheese which is interesting however the taste is immaculate. Definitely need this one.

Aroma is a bit off putting in the beginning…. Needs a moment to open up….. full of agave in the mouth… some sweetness

The malolactic cheesy funk on the nose of this one makes for quite an incredible tequila. Number 9 (100 proof) Cazcanes just hits the perfect proof point! Really hoping they bring this one back from the new NOM

Batch No. J01/22. Color: light yellow. Aroma: raw agave, lactic, black pepper, light vanilla, 30 minutes in the glass the agave becomes sweeter, earthy & slightly citrus. Palate: sweet cooked agave, anise, light orange, black pepper, creamy sensation, earthy, resinous agave sweetness. Finish is long, sweet agave and light orange and earthy notes persist.

NOM 1599 Nose: Cooked agave, yeast, butter, honey Taste: incredibly rich and creamy, sweet agave and juicy orange. The 100 proof is covered well Finish: long and complex, the sweetness hangs around for a bit and makes me want another sip I’d heard a lot how this tequila was “funky” or “cheesy” but I don’t pick that up much at all. I think the creamy texture of this sets it apart from almost anything I’ve had before. I think they did an amazing job putting together this blend and this is now one of my favorites of all time.

Top joven on the market.

1st Joven batch release. Beautiful, sweet cooked agave with a wonderful lactic cheese note on the nose. The taste is sweet heaven. I'd categorize this Joven as one of the best. 90/100.... Lot 2 release, wow! Straight to the point. 92!!

Blue cheese and Parmesan on the nose from the malolactic fermentation like others have noted. The flavors are so bold on the tongue, this is a little funky but not as crazy as you’d think. NOM 1599

Owners are from the wine world so they brought some fermentation techniques to tequila which is giving the blue cheese/ parmesan funky nose. Personally, I don’t mind it and welcome something different. Overall good sipper when looking to change it up.

This Joven tequila is one of the most interesting/weird tequilas I’ve ever had. Nose: Strong scent of Parmesan cheese, brine and overall funkiness! Oddly to me it’s a pleasant aroma considering there’s only so many surprises you can get with variations of the same agave plant. Palate: The taste is very similar to the nose in the most pleasant way. It’s full bodied, agave forward with an oddly satisfying funky kick that left me wanting more! Hints of cooked agave, cheese, olive brine and a dash of oakiness from the repo/XA blend. Overall this funky agave bomb is one of the most surprisingly enjoyable tequilas I’ve had! Again, there are incredible tequila brands that are all unique yet after a while there is only so many variations of the blue agave you can create. This one flipped that notion on its head!

This tequila stands out as a personal favorite and a unique addition to my collection. The flavor strikes a perfect balance between pure agave and barrel notes. I particularly enjoy the cherry overtones that compliment the agave sweetness. Despite its unusual aroma, the flavor profile is impressively distinctive.

Something must not have been right. Two different Lotes, but both had a bad aroma that was hard to overcome. Musky almost. I thought it was just the first lote but also vivid in the second. It’s something I feel still needs understanding

Cazcanes Joven no. 9 NOSE: This 90 proof is a blended Joven (los valles agave blanco, los altos agave reposado and a pinch of XA). Execution of this blend is on-point, if you don't mind the old-feta-cheese funkiness that's layered just below the sweet buttery agave notes :-). Also light notes of olives, light butterscotch & vanilla, and a faint nutty note of crushed hazelnut. The cheesy funk is a surprise, but not off-putting, and adds a nice complexity. MOUTH: The nose influences are also reflected in the taste, with the addition of pepper and fresh citrus fruit rinds. The higher ABV is almost unobtrusive, yet provides a nice level of heat, followed with a finish that's smooth, loaded with agave sweetness, and goes down very buttery... and perhaps just a hint of that cheesy funk, which I strangely enjoy ;-)

The aroma was pretty funky, but once my Glencairn glass was empty, the aroma in the empty glass changed, and was very appealing!

Lot #2

The aroma is funky and good at same time (lactic/moldy cheese, while the agave is pushing through). The flavor and finish exceeds the aroma. Very unique!

Can’t add to the reviews already here. It’s a uniquely wonderful sip. Highly recommend.