Clase Azul, Gold

The nose feels a little muted; there are discernible notes of caramel and some sweetness, as well as more orchard fruit character if you search for it. The palate is overwhelmingly sweet — vanilla essence, runny caramel, and quite a bit of viscosity. A residual spice starts to come through on the finish — cinnamon, cardamom — along with a confectioners' sugar sweetness. I'm sadly missing the aged character here, which would have rounded those sweetener notes off nicely.

Very lightly gold, this tequila is spirituous on the nose, with white pepper and cheap sauvignon blanc notes. A hint of vanilla, possibly from new oak. White musk and lily of the valley. Peaches and cream. Almost no agave notes present. The palate does showcase agave earthiness, and is relaxed and warming, with a hint of crème caramel and custard creams (vanilla sandwich cookies). Some basil and creamy burrata notes. Orange blossom and rose water. Orange creams. A finish that is oily and mouth-coating, with a big dollop of crème anglaise and — at the death — those classic earthy agave notes finally appear.

Immediate French oak on the nose: that slightly dry, oaky, tannic waft, moving into a white pepper tingle, with less vegetal freshness. More spirit-led, with a slightly neutral set of aromas. Dig deeper and there's a sweeter note of toasted vanilla. Very sweet on the palate: confectioners' sugar and confected vanilla ice cream. It has a distinctly cloying note. Short finish, with a little woody spice and a touch of green freshness developing alongside a bitter, tannic note.