Review: Volans Blanco Tequila

Volans Tequila is truly a family brand of tequila.  It was founded by Lonnie Allen her son Chad and his wife Cristina.  The rest of the family business includes Three Rivers Ranch, a fly fishing ranch, and Three Rivers Ranch Outfitters, both based in Idaho.  Cristina grew up in Mexico and her father Miguel is an agronomist who raised agaves, avocadoes, and blueberries in Jalisco and Michoacan.  Once the family decided to craft a tequila Miguel found a field in the Los Altos Region and planted agave.  After visiting 90 distilleries they partnered with El Pandillo and Master Distiller Felipe Camarena to craft their brand.  The Volans name comes from a constellation in the southern sky.  Volans represents a tropical fish that can jump out of the water and glide through the air on wings.  Volans is crafted from 100% Blue Weber agave grown on the Camarena estate, and a blend of spring, rain, and deep well water.  Once trimmed the agave is steam cleaned for 3 hours and then cooked in a dual steam powered stone oven designed with steam jets on the bottom and top to roast the agaves evenly.  The pinas then rest for 24-36 hours before they are shredded and crushed with a 19,000 mechanical tahona.  The extracted juice is fermented with natural yeast and double distilled in copper pot stills.  The spirit is oxygenated prior to bottling.  Volans is certified additive free.  The nose leads with roasted agave.  Additional time brings out citrus, vanilla and a sprinkle of black pepper.  The sweet agave entry has an oily mouth feel.  Citrus arrives and is joined by vanilla building to a bright citrus, and agave peak.  It fades with cooked agave, green olive, and lemon, and finishes with mineral, vanilla, agave, bell pepper, lemon zest, and black pepper leaving warm and mineral texture with peppery bittersweet taste.

NOM: 1579

40% Alcohol

Region: Los Altos

Score: 91

Award: Gold Medal