Hacienda de Bañuelos Tepemete

Verdict

Tepemete (A. maximiliana in some literature) is one of the under-documented varietals Zacatecan producers have kept alive, and Bañuelos's version is the best US-available example we've found. The proof's a little higher than the masparillo, which helps the aromatics hold. Buy alongside the masparillo for the clearest lesson in how one Zacatecan producer reads two closely related agaves.

Tasting notes

Nose: Sage with hot sand

Palate: 48.6% – tepemete comes out leaner and peppery than Bañuelos's masparillo, with a brighter top note and the same Zacatecas dryness holding the bottom

Finish: Hot, sage-tinged. Medium-long overall

The bottom line

Buy the pair, masparillo and tepemete together

Where to buy online

We found this bottle at 2 US retailers. Prices and stock vary – click through to check.

• Old Town Tequila – $110
• Keg N Bottle – $129.99