Volans Still Strength Blanco 53%:   ¡WOW! Punch and Polish from El Pandillo.


 
Chad and Cristina had long dreamed of creating an authentic, high proof blanco with Old School character. When they approached Felipe about this project, it was with hopes of changing up a few things. They wanted to shift focus on the profile, to include a portion fermented with fiber. 


 
To understand the complexity of their task: 
    •    There were 3 separate bakes, 3 individual crushes, 3 distinct fermentations and 3 distillations. 
    •    Distilling a tequila to a specific proof is a labor intensive and exacting process.
 
The tails are carefully monitored every few minutes, using a chromatograph to help determine cuts. Now, consider executing this tediously precise procedure 3 times, and arriving at exactly 106 proof each time! The breakdown of components is 45% spring water, 45% deep well water and 10% derived from fiber fermented tequila. There are some interesting production differences in the portion that is fermented with fiber:
    •   The cooked agave is put on a conveyor belt and run through a shredder/crusher type device. (The tahona is not part of the initial extraction, nor is water added at this point)

• The shredded agave continues via conveyor, and goes directly into square stainless steel fermentation tanks.

• Fiber fermentation starts with a higher Brix mosto and takes longer to complete.

• When fermentation is concluded, the fiber is then sent to the tahona to capture the last squeeze of mosto juice. 
 
So was all this work worth it? It’s a Show Stopper!


 
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A full slap of fruity, spicy sweet agave. Green apples, lemon drops, white & green peppercorns. Cinnamon, mint and candied rosemary. Minerals and freshly clipped grass. Tinged with a slightly sour cider scent, and a playful tease of juicy fruit gum. Silky, sophisticated aromas. 

Flavors: Creamy, mouthwatering sweet agave steals the show - simultaneously flirting with a punch of pepper and enticing salinity. A touch of almond paste marries with the fruit and spice. No ethanol ambush in store for you.


 
Not surprisingly, another masterfully made tequila from Felipe and Volans!