Full Review

Shelter Distilling

Shelter Distilling
Ranchito Bendito Agave Americana

Category: Agave Spirit

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 46%
93 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$80

Shelter Distilling
Ranchito Bendito Agave Americana

Category: Agave Spirit

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 46%
Clear color. Aromas of under ripe tamarind, grilled cherries, sharpie, and all spice and super concentrated green bell pepper and black pepper with a full body and a long cucumber peel, thai basil, almond and juniper, and feels artificially flavored finish. Somewhere between Tequila and Mezcal with an interesting grilled cherry quality; over delivers for an agave outside of Mexico.

Tasting Info

Spirits Glass Style: Spicy & Complex
Aroma Aroma: under ripe tamarind, grilled cherries, sharpie, and all spice and super concentrated green bell pepper and black pepper
Taste Flavor: cucumber peel, thai basil, almond and juniper, and feels artificially flavored
Smoothness Smoothness:
Finish Finish: Normal
Enjoy Enjoy: Enjoy on its own
Bottom Line Bottom Line: Somewhere between Tequila and Mezcal with an interesting grilled cherry quality; over delivers for an agave outside of Mexico.

The Producer

Shelter Distilling, Inc.

The Producer

Agave Spirit

Spirits Glass Shot Clear.jpg
Serve in a Shot Glass
Agave spirit refers to a spirit made from one of the numerous varieties of agave plants outside the Mexican denominations of Tequila, Mezcal, Sotol, Bacanora and Raicilla. While most of the products are produced in Mexico from locally grown agave there are also examples made from agave grown in the southwestern United States and even the nation of Venezuela. Specific categories include Sikua from the Mexican state of Michoacan and Cocuy from Venezuela.

These sprits are usually clear, unless aged in oak, which gives them a golden color. Flavor profiles range from sweet potatoes and roasted pepper to herbs and smoky minerals; often there is a peppery finish. They are meant to be sipped as an aperitif, in cocktails, or served with spicy Mexican and Latin cuisine.