Rancho Tepúa Bacanora Blanco is produced by Maestro Bacanorero Roberto Contreras, a 5th generation producer whose family produced bacanora throughout the 77 year ban.
About this bacanora
Rancho Tepúa Bacanora Blanco is produced using maguey Pacifica and cooked underground for 36 hours and then fermented with wild yeasts in stainless steel vats for 8-10 days. It is then distilled twice in an alembic still that has a stainless steel pot and a copper condenser. The ABV changes slightly from batch to batch.
Rancho Tepúa
Rancho Tepua is produced by Maestro Vinatero Roberto Contreras at his vinata in Rancho Tepúa, Aconchi, in the state of Sonora. Roberto is a 5th generation Bacanorero and learned to produce Bacanora from his father, Don Lalo. His family produced Bacanora throughout the 77 year ban (1915-1992), by establishing a series of small hidden distilleries on the ranch. The word Tepúa refers to an ax in the language of the Opatas, an indigenous tribe that inhabited the Sonoran Sierra Madre Mountains long before the Spanish arrived. This small ax was the primary tool for harvesting the agave used in Bacanora production.
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agavetimes
16 reviewsDistilled from maguey Pacifica in the town of Aconchi, Sonora, is a great representation of a really well made Bacanora. Abundant fragrant notes of grass and mint with marked smokiness, balanced heat, and a delicious finish.
Americana Kyle
60 reviewsThis was a much more subtle offering that I found quite pleasant. I ordered a bottle after trying this as it’s very good for the price point.
jmehrk35
46 reviewsDistilled: 03/15/16
Matured in glass: 273 days
Ltrs Produced: 438
LOT #: 001103.16
ABV: 47.5%
Initial nasal impact is dry and warming. The aroma hits with Miracle Grow Potting Soil, herbal and dried flowers. Some honey and cooked agave sweetness follow. A pungent, coating astringency on the tongue, and initially bitter. Spearmint, cinnamon, red pepper flakes, candied holiday nuts, grilled super ripe pineapple are harmoniously balanced on the flavor. A flint minerality hits on the retro nasal. A really solid bacanora, especially for the price (about $60).
Distilled: 03/15/16
Matured in glass: 273 days
Ltrs Produced: 438
LOT #: 001103.16
ABV: 47.5%
Initial nasal impact is dry and warming. The aroma hits with Miracle Grow Potting Soil, herbal and dried flowers. Some honey and cooked agave sweetness follow. A pungent, coating astringency on the tongue, and initially bitter. Spearmint, cinnamon, red pepper flakes, candied holiday nuts, grilled super ripe pineapple are harmoniously balanced on the flavor. A flint minerality hits on the retro nasal. A
Cy Bister
26 reviewsNose is very mineral/wood-heavy, modeling clay with just some subtle hints of banana/jackfruit. Taste is very mineral and somewhat salty on the front, and then a balanced buttery sweetness, finishing with a peppery, almost minty heat that borders on some ashy tones. Really interesting. My first bacanora and I can guarantee you I’ll be on the lookout for more.
HighWine
78 reviewsNondescript aroma that reminds me of a white whiskey or an agricole rum. Grassy with sugarcane, dandelion, and fragrant potting soil. Sweet in the mouth with flavors of honeybaked ham, simple syrup, and linen. Finishes clean.
TzotollineRaramuri
75 reviewsD 03/03/2020; 510 Lt; Lot 4C0P-0320-0007 @ 47,5%
?- clear
?- pungent and drying impact.
Aromas of VA & acetone, candied pecan & walnut, fresh savory herbs, hay, floral and animal honey, mesquite, cinnamon, chalk, light rubber.
Adequate, complex production.
Average length and ordinary character.
?- coating and slightly astringent effect; sufficient smooth alcohol; medium body.
Primarily sour taste; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of mesquite wood, savory herbs, cooked lemon, roasted agave, hay, ginger, corn bread.
Concentrated flavor intensity, slightly complex, harmonious balance.
Straightforwardly pleasant and long finish.
Very good to excellent impression.
Could have been prime without the VA/acetone chemical aromatic profile that disappeared on the palate.
Learn more about organoleptic evaluation at the International Wine & Spirits Guild’s seminar in Fine Spirits,
or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.
D 03/03/2020; 510 Lt; Lot 4C0P-0320-0007 @ 47,5%
?- clear
?- pungent and drying impact.
Aromas of VA & acetone, candied pecan & walnut, fresh savory herbs, hay, floral and animal honey, mesquite, cinnamon, chalk, light rubber.
Adequate, complex production.
Average length and ordinary character.
?- coating and slightly astringent effect; sufficient smooth alcohol; medium body.
Primarily sour taste; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of mesquite wood, savory herbs, cooked lemon, roasted agave, ha
Tyler
668 reviewsOne of the better Bacanoras out there and good value – my bottle was under $60. It is a bit subtle with notes of wet wood, dragonfruit, and dry raisins. It starts a bit lactic but has a nice fruity finish. Lot 002 / 04 / 17 aged in glass for 200 days; 48.3%.
TrogdordeFuegoanator
40 reviewsLote 0030218.
Not overly impressive, but for the price I’ve had worse things sitting on my tongue. The category lacks on the whole, so perhaps good things are yet to come?
Rakhal
430 reviewsLot 003/02/18 47.8%. Very minty with the sweetness of almost over ripe pineapple. A very long pleasant finish with chili flakes and oak. It’s a little hot but that would be my only criticism with this one. Very viscous.
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsStrong to very strong. Bright, not overpowering. My first baconara.
thamthong
47 reviewslot 002/05/17, matured in glass for 182 days, 48% abv. floral minty-ness with wafts of confectionary shop in the background. a hint of mesquite on the nose is a bit more present on the palate. forestral sweetness, fresh mint without the menthol, slate, desert sand. very elemental. packs a pleasant bite too. finish is long and very nice, maybe my favorite part of this dram. big bang for your buck here. will happily keep this stocked on the bar.
Jonny
736 reviewsLot 001|04-2|16. Aged in glass for 229 days. 48.2%. Lots of smoke on this all around. Smoke on the nose and the palate. Grassy with hints of spearmint and fresh aloe. Slightly sweet.
TheAgaveFairy
169 reviewsDistilled 27th of April, 2017. Rested in glass 200 days. Lot number 002/04/17. 48.3%ABV
Appearance: Oily legs falls down heavy, beads forming and dropping.
Nose: Following the nose going into the glass: Aromatic with the glass far away- high toned agave, mint. Lots of mints, complex mints, mostly spearmint with a nice support of peppermint for excitement, a touch of eucalyptus. Next is candied lemon and ginger. Minerality is a warming influence, and smoke wafts – pine, cedar? Marshmallow, slightly toasted. Agave flavor reminds me of espadin meets arroqueno? Deep inside the glass you get some suggestions at taffy, savory capiscum, slight yellow cake.
Palette: Fun sweet entry, balanced mouthfeel that’s leaning towards rich. A great balance of the aromatics described all together, with more present smoke heat and underlying minerality that’s more desert-like than might be expected. On the tip of the tongue, agave flavor takes center stage with the secondary aspects within. Peppermint tickles the edges with marshmallow. Finish manages to balance dryness with sweetness, which I haven’t really run across that much.
Thoughts: My first bacanora, going in a touch blind for the category. I don’t know exactly how to rate it or reference it. A “4*” rating would be in relation to other products on this site. Priced right (mid $50s) for a great experience. Look out for it!
Distilled 27th of April, 2017. Rested in glass 200 days. Lot number 002/04/17. 48.3%ABV
Appearance: Oily legs falls down heavy, beads forming and dropping.
Nose: Following the nose going into the glass: Aromatic with the glass far away- high toned agave, mint. Lots of mints, complex mints, mostly spearmint with a nice support of peppermint for excitement, a touch of eucalyptus. Next is candied lemon and ginger. Minerality is a warming influence, and smoke wafts – pine, cedar? Marshmallow, slig
Hörky Båmf
20 reviewsLot 001103-16, 47.5% ABV. Subtle herbal and vegetal flavors. Clean taste with a sweet finish. No weird or off flavors. Very little ethanol burn. There were 2 different lots available when I purchased this. I chose the older distillation that had also been rested in glass for longer. Definitely give this a try. You might be amazed.