NETA Tequilana is produced by maestro palenquero Cándido García Cruz at his palenque in Logoche, Miahuatlan, Oaxaca.
About this destilado de agave
NETA Tequilana is produced by maestro palenquero Cándido García Cruz. The Agave tequilana var. weber used in in this production come from stock that was originally acquired in the mid 1990’s through local mezcalero associations, in the context of increased contact with middle men and representatives of the Tequila industry on both a regional and nationwide level. Despite existing regulations around the use of agave from outside the territories established in the Denomination of Origin of Tequila, Oaxaca became a source of raw material in times of agave shortages, spurring the movement of clones to Oaxaca, where they could be grown cheaper and brought back to the industrial factories of Jalisco. While the majority of these crops were sold back to Jalisco, local producers kept some for themselves after quickly taking note of the sweet flavor of the cooked agave and the high yields of the starch-rich Blue Weber, referred to in Logoche as tequilana, tequilera, tequilero, or azul.
NETA
NETA is a colloquial word in Mexico that translates to “the real deal” or “the truth”. Since 2012, the brand has worked closely with several small, family producers and a cooperative of twelve palenqueros from the southern valleys and hills of Miahuatlán, Oaxaca. The region has preserved its reputation for producing some of the finest mezcales and agave spirits anywhere in Mexico. The team behind NETA presents a carefully curated selection of extraordinary spirits that would otherwise never be found outside of its place of origin.
A note about NETA labels: The total bottle count written on the front label might be less than the total batch size. Batches may be split between Mexico, Europe, and the US; the handwritten bottle count represents the number of bottles imported into a particular country.
Learn more about NETA:
- NETA – Spirit Distilled from Agave on the K&L Wines Spirits Journal blog
- NETA is finally here on Mezcalistas
Review this bottle
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Jam
184 reviewsI Didn’t get a batch number or abv.
Disclaimer: This was tried at a tasting as a half ounce sample, so these are short notes. I’ll update if I get to try this again.
Review #53: black pepper, honey, ash, carmelized squash, grape candy.
This had a nice balance to the sweetness. Nothing truly unique and a bit light, but solid nonetheless.
m8375e
4 reviewsEU version. Candido Garcia Cruz, (2015 vintage, 2020 release), Oaxaca, 49.9%, 285 bottles, £115
Nose: ooh, weird but nice. carrots and balasmic vinegar, durian flesh, leather, roasted red peppers, orange syrup, then grape candy, grape pips. Something in here reminds me of Hampden Rum Fire, stinky high estery, ethereal fruits. Rubber? With water, fermented raspberries and liquorice join in. This is rather complex and very nice to nose.
Palate: lively, juicy, effervescent arrival. Relatively high toned at first, slightly saline, citric, teases a linear fruitiness but then becomes extremely mineral driven, lime juice, rock dust, clay. Love the acidity here, and the mouthfeel is great. Some vegetal touches, a little white pepper. Old book shop, touches of smoked grapefruit, going on rather long.
Comment: I love this, so well made and so tasty. The price is high, but the quality is there, just great stuff.
EU version. Candido Garcia Cruz, (2015 vintage, 2020 release), Oaxaca, 49.9%, 285 bottles, £115
Nose: ooh, weird but nice. carrots and balasmic vinegar, durian flesh, leather, roasted red peppers, orange syrup, then grape candy, grape pips. Something in here reminds me of Hampden Rum Fire, stinky high estery, ethereal fruits. Rubber? With water, fermented raspberries and liquorice join in. This is rather complex and very nice to nose.
Palate: lively, juicy, effervescent arrival. Relatively high
meserole
73 reviewsI was definitely intrigued to try mezcal in the famous tequila varietal. An almost regressive twist? I have to admit I have very little experience trying “fine” tequilas, as I equate those mostly with aged spirits whose flavor is primarily a result of the wood it’s aged in… but even so, I couldn’t help but think it tastes like a decent tequila.
This was something of a novelty buy, but I did have high hopes based on the strength of Candido Garcia Cruz’s absolutely excellent Espadin release from Neta. And I can’t ignore the fact that the bottle was almost $180USD, purchased in NYC. Yikes.
This reminds me in flavor of Del Maguey’s popular chichicapa mezcal.
Nose: agave syrup
Mouth: a bitter hotter than I expected (though I should have realized ABV is a relatively high 49%), roasted pineapple, sweet corn, light smoke
After: very little lingering aftertaste (is that why people like tequila shots?!)
Batch: 051/264 Lot: TEQCAN1303
I was definitely intrigued to try mezcal in the famous tequila varietal. An almost regressive twist? I have to admit I have very little experience trying “fine” tequilas, as I equate those mostly with aged spirits whose flavor is primarily a result of the wood it’s aged in… but even so, I couldn’t help but think it tastes like a decent tequila.
This was something of a novelty buy, but I did have high hopes based on the strength of Candido Garcia Cruz’s absol
TheAgaveFairy
169 reviewsA little more smokey and ashen, pleasantly so. I have to dig a little deeper into the glass to find more roasted peppers, acorn squash, honeycomb, rather dessicated citrus peels, mild chocolates or coffees, and more green notes. Agave, sea spray, clean and more papaya like fruit coming out.
Palate: Seemingly lighter bodied, a touch acrid, mild, but still with plenty of green character and fruit – green apples showing (malic acid), mustang grapes. Long finish, a little dirty and burnt.
Thoughts: Solid bottling, truly, I think I’m spoiled in this flight.
Above average, if uninspiring at times. EDIT:: better at the end of the glass, less acrid.
A little more smokey and ashen, pleasantly so. I have to dig a little deeper into the glass to find more roasted peppers, acorn squash, honeycomb, rather dessicated citrus peels, mild chocolates or coffees, and more green notes. Agave, sea spray, clean and more papaya like fruit coming out.
Palate: Seemingly lighter bodied, a touch acrid, mild, but still with plenty of green character and fruit – green apples showing (malic acid), mustang grapes. Long finish, a little dirty and burnt.
Thoughts
Tyler
668 reviewsLots of vegetal flavors. Raw green agave juice. Sugar cane. Jonny’s notes are solid – it reminds me a bit of grape Airheads too. Very different flavor profile from an equally good tequila – maybe more smoke and sugar? 2013 batch. 49%.
Jonny
738 reviewsClean nose. Slight hints of cotton Candy on the nose. The palate is both savory and sweet. Notes of chicken broth, grape juice, and subtle airheads. That combination doesn’t sound good together but it is! This is delicious.