Cazcanes No 9. "Cocktails By Hawk" K&L Exclusive Batch No R92403 SB3 100 Proof Single Barrel #3 Reposado Tequila (750ml)

Very few things are more gratifying in this industry than sharing what I do with people. First and foremost it goes without saying that making customers happy with a new barrel or batch is a stupendous feeling. But the feeling of being able to share the selection of a single cask with an old friend like Hawk is second to none. Hawk has always been a great friend and an incredible bartender. If you've ever had the incredible pleasure of enjoying his presence behind the bar, very few compare to his prowess as a creator and curator not to mention his incredible hospitality. So when he said he'd been able to snag a barrel of Cazcanes (something I've never been offered on my own) I was over the moon to partner with him. He's made a name for himself as a champion of great additive free tequila and this brand is at the forefront of that important movement. They make a lot of great tequila with diverse flavor profiles, but we immediately zeroed in on this badass cask. Aged in very active Four Roses, it just rose to the top trouncing every other sample in a head to head. This could EASILY be one of the best single barrels we've ever bottled -including those amazing Fortalezas single barrels. In fact, if this arrived in a Fortaleza bottle no one would bat an eye thanks to the awesome creamy texture and rich supple character. It really is that good. Let's see how it tastes today. The color is Old Gold (0.5). The nose is so darn pretty I can't handle it - ripe pineapple, coconut husk, sweet yellow plums, honey, honeysuckle, Tahitian vanilla, buttermilk frosting. With some air the oak spice pushes through a bit more to bring some balance to the otherwise super forward sweet fruity nose. On the palate it's super pretty but offers incredible depth as well. Still has a yellow fruit theme - plums, quince, pineapple - but now add exotic green tea, sweet oak spice, caramel candies. This is one of the most opulent and overt single barrels of tequila I've ever tried. It holds its 100 proof extremely well which is very difficult for most elegant aged agave spirits and absolutely explodes from the glass if you add a drop of water, although I do appreciate the tension that exists at full strength. This is easily one of the finest tequilas we've ever put our name on. Thank you Cocktails By Hawk and Cazcanes for including us in this incredible project.