Lagrimas 'La Sabina' Reposado Tequila Focuses on Terroir

BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: Tequila Cascahuin, NOM 1123
• MASH BILL: Blue Weber Agave 100%
• AGE: 3 months in ex-bourbon casks
• YEAR: 2025
• PROOF: 92 (46% ABV)
• MSRP: $70.99
• BUY ONLINE: Lagrimas del Valle Bottle Shop

STEVE'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Any tequila fan who knows little about great reposado, and any bourbon fan with an affinity for Scotch or Irish whiskies. Why Scotch and Irish? Like this reposado, barrel impact (specifically spice, dark fruit and tannin) is far lower in Scotch and Irish due to used barrels. The honey, pineapple and golden raisin notes that come from roasted agave align with lighter fruit notes in many Irish and Scotch whiskies. If those friends haven't tried good tequila, this could be their gateway drug.

WORTH THE PRICE: No question. This is a really nice reposado, especially at $71. Sadly, there are far worse reposados for which people pay double this price.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle for sure. You'll want to share it a lot.

OVERALL: If you read my recent review of Lagrimas del Valle Plata, then skip the next two paragraphs. If not, here's a quick overview harvested from the Lagrimas press release that informs how it's made:

Lágrimas del Valle has launched its newest vintage, “La Sabina.” The Plata and Reposado expressions represent the fifth field harvested for the brand and the first to come from the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. Lágrimas del Valle is produced in collaboration at the legendary Tequila Cascahuin (in El Arenal, Jalisco, Mexico).

Cascahuin cooks agave for eight hours per day, then stopping until the following day, and repeating over the course of four days to create deep layers of flavor. The pinas are then crushed: 70% of them via roller mill and then fermented in stainless steel tanks; 30% are crushed using a Tahona, and fermented in open air wooden tanks.

This is craft tequila making with minimal and arguably primitive machinery. Slow cooking in stone ovens presents big notes of roasted agave and butterscotch. It takes some deep inhaling to get to the finer notes of tropical flowers and a little cinnamon, and despite being 92 proof, any tingling ethanol notes are obscured by this pour's lush and fruity aromas. Less is definitely more here.

It's just fantastic on the palate: coating, honeyed and tingling with a little serrano pepper. You can't miss the dried pineapple and mango or butterscotch that migrates from the nose to the palate, or how it mimics still strength tequila as it trickles down the throat. (If you've not drunk still strength tequila, it's a lovely experience.) What remains is petrichor and tropical flowers that drift into roasted green peppers. There are no flaws in this reposado.

That this is made from agave harvested at La Sabina, a single estate, is a purposeful step to study terroir and its impact on tequila making.

“It’s remarkable that, for the first time, we’re truly tasting tequila’s terroir—not just from Jalisco, which produces 95 percent of it, but also from Michoacán and now Guanajuato,” Brandon Cummins, director of education for Altamar Brands, said in the release. “It’s something entirely new, yet rooted in centuries of tradition. What’s even more impressive is that this has been achieved without relying on any industrial shortcuts.”

Anyone familiar with Tequila Ocho's single estate releases will understand how important terroir has become to tequila makers and drinkers keen on understanding the effects of soil condition, rainfall and temperature on agave–which may grow for 7 to 10 years before harvesting. I don't have any other Lagrimas del Valle on hand to compare with this La Sabina example, but I'll keep my eyes open for other estate-centric variations.

BRAND NOTES

Reposado is rested for three months in ex-Bourbon barrels. The expression showcases notes of lightly toasted marshmallow, pumpkin pie filling, and rich custard–highlighted by hints of violets, citrus, and cream soda, with a sweet round character

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.