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Sotol Onó
About Sotol Onó
Sotol Onó is produced by Laika Spirits – a Mexican spirits company that produces a selection of various agave and sotol products under different brand names. The production for Sotol Onó is based in Aldama, Chihuahua, and the branding and design are meant to honor the indigenous people of the area, in particular the Tarahumara.
This bottle of Sotol is made using the Dasiliryon Cedrosanum variety of the sotol plant, which is roasted in a shallow pit oven. It is macerated in two different stages, starting with an axe, and then a knife. It is then fermented in concrete tanks for about 5-6 days, then distilled twice in copper stills. It is unaged before bottling.
Bottle Specs
❖ ABV: 45%
❖ Distillery: undisclosed
❖ Aging: none
❖ Price Point: lower moderate
My Tasting notes
The aroma of this sotol was grassy, with an added sense of warmth and sweetness. After a few sniffs, I also smelled a roasted quality to the plant notes.
My first sip had quite a bit of tingling heat on the tongue, which continued as I took more sips. The flavor was grassy and herbal, with a subtle sense of warmth. The mouthfeel was slightly thick in the finish.
Cocktail
For my cocktail, I wanted to experiment with this Paloma variation using apple juice. To keep with the bird theme, I named it after the woodpecker, as the Sierra Madre mountain region is home to one of the largest woodpecker species in the world.
Pájaro Carpintero
Ingredients
- 2 oz sotol
- 2 oz apple juice
- ¾ oz lime juice
- 2 oz club soda
Instructions
- Add the sotol, apple juice, and lime juice to a shaker with ice, and shake until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into an ice-filled glass.
- Add the club soda, and gently stir to combine.
Love the straw in this cocktail? we do, too! You can get yours here.
My experience with this cocktail was very interesting and enjoyable. There were subtle grassy notes, along with a sweet quality similar to molasses. It was just enough for me to be able to sit there and imagine the growing sotol plant in my mind’s eye, without being overwhelmingly vegetal. The sotol made the mouthfeel a little bit thick, though the alcohol was nice and smooth.
Bottom Line
RATING: 4/5
Overall, I really enjoyed trying out this bottle of Sotol Onó. Although I don’t have a ton of experience with sotol, I did find that it was smoother and less bitter than Desert Door, which is offered at a slightly lower price point. The grassy notes were nicely refined, and added a sense of depth to the flavor of my cocktail.
It’s safe to say this is my favorite sotol so far, and I definitely recommend trying it out if you’re curious about this category of spirits. I look forward to substituting this bottle in many more tequila cocktails, to see how it changes the flavor against various mixers.
As always, drink responsibly.
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