Tasting Notes: Sotol is a traditional distilled spirit from northern Mexico made from the Dasylirion plant, commonly known as the desert spoon. Although often grouped with tequila and mezcal, it is a distinct spirit as the plant belongs to the asparagus family (Asparagaceae), not the agave genus.
This spirit has a highly aromatic and inviting character, beginning with a candied sweetness that quickly deepens into complex, savory notes of tomato leaf, poppy seed, sesame, and caraway. The palate is vibrant with concentrated orange essence, precise minerality, and fragrant alpine herbs, balanced by earthy, woody undertones and touches of dark chocolate. It has a smooth, medium-bodied texture and a long finish with a subtle grip, leaving behind lingering vegetal notes and hints of fine ash and iron.
Estate History: Cardenxe Sotol honors the traditional canto cardenche a cappella songs of Northern Mexico, a near-extinct musical genre from the region. The brand was founded by three friends on a journey to explore this music and the local spirit, Sotol. Sotol is distilled from the wild Dasylirion plant (desert spoon), which is not an agave but a desert shrub belonging to the asparagus family, thriving in harsh northern Mexican conditions. Cardenxe produces three terroir-inspired expressions—Desierto, Sierra, and Pradera—each reflecting the unique environment where the plants grow. The "de Desierto" expression is a blend of three desert varieties (Dasylirion Texanum, D. Cedrosanum, and D. Berlandieri), crafted by Master Distiller Don Gerardo Ruelas Hernandez using traditional artisanal methods like cooking in a ground oven, axe-milling the cooked hearts, and fermenting in pine vats.
