Tequila Ocho Puntas 2023 Review [In Depth]
Tequila Ocho Puntas 2023
by: ALEX WANG
Founder, writer
Founder, writer
Tequila Ocho Puntas 2023 Details
Distillery: Tequila Ocho (that’s not actually the distillery, just the brand)
Type & Region: Tequila, Mexico
Alcohol: 53%
Composition: 100% blue weber agave
Aged: aged for 0 seconds in oak, but agave aged for unknown amount of time
Price: $80 to a lot, because these can be marked up
Tequila Ocho Puntas 2023 overview
I’ve heard a lot about Tequila Ocho, lauded in tequila groups as a high quality no-additive tequila. While I haven’t had much from Tequila Ocho as of this review, I’m hoping to explore more of the range over time to learn more about what it’s all about. But for now, my introduction to Tequila Ocho is through Tequila Ocho Puntas 2023.
Because I’m a whiskey nerd and budding rum enthusiast, I’m usually more drawn to higher-ABV spirits. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy lower-ABV spirits too, but 50%+ ABV usually has that extra oomph that I want. So, I’m on a journey to try all sorts of higher-ABV (aka “overproof”) tequilas, blanco all the way to extra Anejo.
For better or worse, most of Tequila Ocho’s offerings are 40% ABV, but this is where Tequila Ocho Puntas 2023 caught my eye. It’s a different beast from their usual blanco, a limited release packing a hefty 53% ABV. And lucky me, I got a bottle at MSRP.
Below are the details for Tequila Ocho Puntas 2023
- NOM: 1474 – Cía. Tequilera Los Alambiques, Arandas, Jalisco
- Agave type: Tequilana Weber
- Agave region: Jalisco (Los Altos), Single Estate
- Region: Jalisco (Los Altos Southern)
- Cooking: Stone/Brick Ovens
- Extraction: Roller Mill
- Water source: Deep well water
- Fermentation: Wood fermentation tanks, 100% agave, Open-air fermentation, Fermentation without fibers
- Distillation: 2x distilled
- Still: Copper Pot
- ABV: 53% ABV
- Other: No additives
Apart from the higher ABV, the “puntas” component makes this a bit different. “Puntas” is the back end of the “heads”, which flows into the “hearts” of the distillate, and then the “tails”. The puntas are supposed to have more flavor and character. While the term is uniquely Spanish, the distillation principles are universal. “Heads” and “tails” are generally (emphasis on generally) undesirable for human consumption because they contain more toxic chemicals that can lead to things such as blindness.
The joke about going blind from drinking moonshine, or at least moonshine from a distiller who isn’t good at it, isn’t a joke. Drinking too much of the heads or tails can do that (or so I’ve been told during distillery tours). As a result, distilleries usually use that stuff as a cleaning solution.
The “hearts” are mainly what distillers want because they are clean and tasty, with some exceptions. Apparently, there are small parts of the “heads”, and possibly the “tails”, that are extra tasty, and distillers try to include those in the distillate. The key is to get the right amount at the right time in the distillation process without screwing it up.
For the bourbon lovers reading this review, Tequila Ocho is owned by Heaven Hill. Yes, that’s the same legacy company that owns the Heaven Hill distillery, which produces Evan Williams, Eliah Craig, Larceny, Old Fitzgerald, and more. No, Heaven Hill isn’t distilling it directly. They truly are a large beverage brand with a portfolio of distilleries and brands that produce a wide variety of spirits, including bourbon, rye whiskey, tequila, and more. They’re not just about bourbon.
Let’s find out if a little extra of the heads mixes well with the hearts to capture my heart in this Tequila Ocho Puntas 2023 review.
As an FYI, I bought and use these Glencairn glasses for everything (they’re the best): Glencairn Crystal Whiskey Glass Set of 6, Set of 4, Set of 2, or just one. Full transparency, this is an affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon.
Tequila Ocho Puntas 2023 smell
Tequila Ocho Puntas 2023 has a lot of lime up front, followed by black pepper, a hint of roasted vegetalness (some would likely call that the agave part), simple syrup, pineapple, lychee, a very faint hint of smoke, and this kind of round and buttery feeling on my nose.
The has some of that “green” rye character, minus the rye of course, and the extra ABV provides good roundness and richness, although nothing really explodes out of the glass.
After swirling and rest, I smell sweet lime, simple syrup, subdued roasted vegetalness and smoke, plants, black pepper, dumpling wrappers (I know it’s weird but that’s what came to mind), and some bright minerality and something like clay. There’s an even balance of sweet, lime, and vegetal scents.
Tequila Ocho Puntas 2023 smells great, but nothing really pops or leaps out of the glass.
Tequila Ocho Puntas 2023 taste and aftertaste
At first I get lime, simple syrup, smoky vegetalness, black pepper, pineapple, lychee, and mint. Tequila Ocho Puntas 2023 has great sweetness up front followed by a surprising amount of smoky, vegetal, and woody character.
It’s not quite mezcal, but it leans closer to that than other blanco tequilas do. There’s a little bite too, but nothing out of character for the ABV. This tastes very good, but I’m not yet amazed by it.
With “chewing” I taste rich lime and simple syrup at first, followed by a surprising amount of smoky and roasty vegetalness that dips into mezcal territory, then black pepper, starfruit, and green grape. I was really not expecting that much of a mezcal-like vibe, but it all tastes fantastic as everything’s finally opened up and gotten my attention.
To be fair, Tequila Ocho Puntas 2023 isn’t intensely smoky, but there’s enough of it there that it feels like it was lightly smoked mezcal. It’s a bit spicy too, so it has a distinct kick I haven’t gotten in other blancos.
The finish starts more smoky and vegetal with some simple syrup sweetness. After “chewing”, it leaves spicy lime, simple syrup, roasted vegetation, starfruit, black pepper, and pineapple.
This tastes so good, especially the full, round, and sweet lime and white sugar pop that lathers my tastebuds in flavor. It’s not necessarily the most complex blanco out there, but it’s so delicious and feels so well made.
I’ve unfortunately lost some Glencairn’s while in transit, and that made me very sad. So, I wised up and bought this Glencairn Travel Case that comes also comes with 2 glasses so I don’t need to worry so much about them breaking. I think it’s great, and I think you’ll love it too.
Seriously, if you already have glasses, protect them.
Tequila Ocho Puntas 2023 Rating
Tequila Ocho Puntas 2023 is one of those Tequilas that I keep drinking and keep enjoying over and over. This is the kind of blanco tequila that I always want, and the rating reflects that. It’s delicious.
The flavors are great and the proof is appreciated, bulking up the entire experience and adding richness and fullness that elevates the blanco experience. The scents are nice too, but they pale in comparison to the flavors, and thankfully that’s what I think is most important.
The surprisingly noticeable smokiness is another interesting trait that probably comes from the oven cooking process. I really wasn’t expecting a mezcal-lite experience, but there it is. I’m there for it. And even though there are many other tequilas where the agave was cooked in clay ovens, they don’t all end up as smoky and vegetal as this.
I will hold to this statement – any secondary markup more than $30 is absolutely ridiculous. It’s definitely a delicious and interesting blanco at MSRP, but it’s not THAT good. That also goes for Fortaleza Blanco. But for $80, it delivers a well-made and pleasurable experience for the price and I’m a big fan of it.
Meet the Author: Alex
I have far too much fun writing about whiskey and singlehandedly running The Whiskey Shelf to bring you independent, honest, and useful reviews, comparisons, and more. I’m proudly Asian American and can speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and some Japanese.
There are no sponsors, no media companies, and no nonsense. Support The Whiskey Shelf by Buying Me A Shot.
Shattered glass really sucks, so if you’re on the move, this Glencairn-like stainless steel snifter glass should survive your travels. Full transparency, this is an Amazon affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon.
BrüMate NOS’R, Double-Wall Stainless Steel Whiskey Nosing Glass – 7oz (Matte Black)
