Caballito Cerrero Blanco 46 Chato

Caballito Cerrero Blanco 46 Chato is an agave spirit from Amatitan, Jalisco, made by the Jiménez family at a distillery the family founded in 1968. It is built on the agave they call Chato, here an Agave angustifolia of the same family as espadin rather than the blue Weber required for tequila. Because it uses Chato and not blue agave, the distillate cannot legally call itself tequila 100% de agave, which is why it carries an agave spirit label despite its tequila roots.

The family produces in the traditional way, sometimes at odds with the tequila regulator over what tradition allows. The spirit is clear and undisguised, with a smoky aroma and a defined agave nose. On the palate it shows power and clarity, more mezcal in feel than tequila, with the agave kept pure and forward. Bottled at 46%.