Oro de Coyame Sotol

Oro de Coyame is a Chihuahua sotol made by Gerardo Ruelas from Dasylirion wheeleri in Aldama, the high desert species of the desert spoon. Sotol is not an agave spirit, it comes from Dasylirion, a different desert plant, and Ruelas is among the most respected sotoleros working the wild stands of the Coyame country.

Made in the traditional way and bottled at a forceful 48 percent, this is the powerful end of the spectrum rather than a soft, sweet sotol. The wheeleri shows earthy, grassy and notably peppery character with a dusty, warm desert herb quality and a chalky, calcareous finish that the region is known for. Buyers after a tamer, sweeter style should look elsewhere.