Ah, Day of the Dead. A cherished, centuries-old Mexican tradition that’s been immortalized to consumers through sugar skulls, perforated paper decorations and — increasingly — elaborately themed tequila releases.

With so many bottles to choose from, we thought we’d do a quick roundup of the best agave spirits picks to toast the festivities arriving Nov. 1.

We’ve included a handful of specifically Dia de Los Muertos-themed releases, but perhaps fewer than you might expect. The truth is, we can’t vouch for a lot of what’s out there. You’ll find plenty of beautiful bottles decorated with candles, altars and skeletons, but, as is so often the case, the prettiest decanters often contain the most mediocre of spirits. No judgment to those who partake, but this is a spirits list, not a centerpiece list (we’re looking at you, Clase Azul).

On the opposite side of the spectrum, we’d like to highlight a trend among producers who have begun distilling mezcal with marigold flowers, an orange-hued symbol of Dia de Los Muertos festivities throughout Mexico. Acclaimed brands like Bozal, Tres Tribus and Salvadores have each taken the concept in different directions. Due to their niche appeal, these expressions lean hard to find — feel free to check them out on your own time if you’re willing to splurge.

Alto Canto Blanco High Proof

Our biggest surprise of the year has to be Alto Canto, the inaugural release of the recently constructed Tequila El Rocio distillery. There’s a lot going on under the hood with this one, so let’s dive straight into the details.

The biggest swing comes by way of elevation. Alto Canto grows and distills its agaves at what it claims to be the highest altitude of any tequila in Mexico, a feat which, in theory, would result in especially sweet and floral liquid. Other production methods pay homage to just about every technique that die-hard tequila fans dream of. Agaves are roasted in traditional brick ovens, macerated with a volcanic stone tahona and fermented with endemic yeasts.

The attention to detail pays off, particularly in its High Proof Blanco. Bottled at 48% ABV, the expression is delicately sweet and vegetal from aroma to finish, bursting with hints of vanilla, pear, honeydew and bell peppers. Above all else, we were impressed by the silky smooth mouthfeel on this one, a great change of pace from high-proof expressions that tend to scorch the back of the throat.

Alto Canto is slowly expanding its distribution across the U.S. In the meantime, you can find bottles of its High Proof Blanco online at $89.99.

Read more: https://thedailypour.com/agave/7-best-tequila-and-mezcals-to-celebrate-day-of-the-dead-2024/