Cazcanes Still Strength Blanco Tequila Review [In Depth]
Cazcanes Still Strength Blanco Tequila
by: ALEX WANG
Founder, writer
Founder, writer
Cazcanes Still Strength Blanco Tequila Details
Distillery: Cazcanes (NOM 1614)
Type & Region: Tequila, Mexico
Alcohol: 54%
Composition: 100% blue weber agave
Aged: Not at all
Color: 0.0/2.0 on the color scale (clear)
Price: $100
From the company website:
“True to Earth, True to Flavor”In our minds, producing tequila is an art form we take very seriously. With Cazcanes, you will find a boutique-style distillery that operates harmoniously with the land, environment, and the natural spring that sustains it.
Nestled in the region of Jalisco, Mexico, we hand-select each Blue Weber Agave for harvest and source our water from a nearby natural spring. Our attention to detail continues through every step of our small-batch process until we finally bestow our tequila to the sanctum of a custom bottle made from recycled glass.
Cazcanes Tequila: a story to celebrate, an authentic taste to behold.
Cazcanes Still Strength Blanco Tequila overview
Cazcanes has made a name for itself over the years with some lauded releases that have won multiple medals and earned great acclaim. While I mention it, I actually can’t comment on that because this is the first Cazcanes tequila that I’ve ever had. Hopefully there is truth in all that acclaim, and it’s better late than never to find out for myself.
To jump in the deep end and be introduced to this brand, I’m trying Cazcanes Still Strength Blanco Tequila, an additive free tequila packed with a hefty 54% ABV.
54% has important meaning in tequila, as it’s the maximum allowed ABV for tequila. If the ABV is greater than that, then it no longer qualifies as tequila even if it meets every other requirement. At that point it becomes agave spirit, which is the general term for anything distilled from agave. Region and country don’t matter at that point. I personally would be down to try some 60-70% ABV agave spirit, sounds fun.
There are some other interesting nuggets of information as well. The Cazcanes name, as stated on the website, references the “Cazcanes natives, the last indigenous people of Mexico to be conquered by the Spaniards.”
The website also mentions that their tequila is based off of a 300 year old indigenous recipe found in an old still, and they use water from deep underground springs with amazing water. I personally am skeptical of how true those two things are, although more so with the old recipe than the water, as they apparently bring the water in from a specific spring.
This particular bottle comes from NOM 1614 – Tequilera Tap, S. De R.L. De C.V., although it’s known that the NOM has changed at least once over the years. From Tequila matchmaker, this NOM also produces tequila for brands such as Tres Agaves and Pantalones, although they all could be made with different recipes, different agave plants, and other specifications unique to that brand.
Let’s find out if the maximum allowed ABV brings maximum character in this Cazcanes Still Strength Blanco Tequila 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.
Cazcanes Still Strength Blanco Tequila smell
Cazcanes Still Strength has a lot of fresh lime and simple syrup sweetness at first, followed by slightly vegetal agave, minerality, and an overall cleanness to it. Unlike something like Tequila Ocho Puntas 2023, it’s not so smoky or peppery. It has more of a straightforward personality, but in a pleasant way that smells great.
That said, the expressive and vibrant lime makes it smell more like Fortaleza Blanco. The heat is very calm for 54% ABV, so it’s sort of like the even higher ABV version of Fortaleza Still Strength.
After swirling, I smell a lot of fresh lime and simple syrup up front, gentle vegetalness (I guess that’s what they call agave) that’s not really roasted, a minerality of sorts, and something slightly peachy.
Cazcanes Still Strength is clean, fresh, rich, vibrant, and so enjoyable.
Cazcanes Still Strength Blanco Tequila taste and aftertaste
The flavors start with fresh lime, simple syrup, lightly roasted vegetalness, and a little black pepper, smoke, minerality, and dryness in the back like eating cactus or okra. Cazcanes Still Strength has a nice sweet and lime-y pop, and the heat is really well controlled.
It’s delicious, but doesn’t stray too far from the usual tequila flavors. Nonetheless, I think that this is very good for a blanco tequila.
After “chewing” I get fresh lime, simple syrup, roasted agave / cactus, minerality, and a light peppery smokiness and dryness. “Chewing” brings out more nice citrusy sweetness and pop, as well as a bit more roastiness and smokiness.
The finish initially leaves lime peel, simple syrup, black pepper, and dry vegetalness. After “chewing” it leaves smoky, dry, and peppery lime and simple syrup.
Cazcanes Still Strength Blanco is bright, vibrant, roasty, and smoky deliciousness.
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.
Cazcanes Still Strength Blanco Tequila Rating
Cazcanes Still Strength is a delicious and interesting Blanco, one of the better overproof ones that I’ve had.
Personality-wise, it reminds me somewhat of Fortaleza, with the sweet lime-forward scents and flavors. So if you have trouble finding Fortaleza (you probably do), then this is a close-ish alternative that I think is just as satisfying.
But if you happen to want a more earthy and vegetal blanco, then it depends on how much you want. If you want a moderate amount, this is a good option. If you want even more of it, then you may want to look elsewhere. It’s not as vegetal and agave-forward as something like Wild Common or Taptio, so keep that in mind.
On that note, I’ve enjoyed this a lot in ranch waters too, so it’s very versatile and delicious in every way. If you couldn’t tell already, this is a blanco tequila to try, and even moreso if you’re a whiskey lover looking for the higher proof richness.
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)
