Tequila is simultaneously one of the most exciting and most frustrating categories in the spirits landscape. While on the one hand it seems there is an endless supply of Tequila - after all, every A, B, C, or D list celebrity is starting their own brand, the fact is, quality Tequila is harder than ever to come by. The reason for this is mostly tied to production methods. As Tequila has skyrocketed in popularity the biggest producers have invested enormous sums into making Tequila as efficiently and cheaply as possible from inexpensive, under ripe agave fortified with additives after distillation, in order to meet that demand. While the technological accomplishments are impressive and the results passable (or even sometimes quite good), it's unlikely to come as a surprise that the loser in this equation has been heritage, tradition, flavor, and quality. Fortunately there are still lots of producers and brands out there that do keep these elements as their guiding light. You just have to know where to look for them. G4 is one such brand - produced by the uncompromising Felipe Camarena at El Pandillo Distillery. While the core lineup of G4 Tequilas are excellent, the Blanco De Madera is phenomenal. This limited edition bottling is an additive free Blanco bottled at 45%ABV which was uniquely fermented in wooden vats. The color is crystal clear. The nose, in a word, sublime. It is fruity, rich, intense, herbaceous and inviting. Ripe fleshy tropical fruits like pineapples, guava, papaya and mango mesh with freshly cooked agave, citrus and sweetgrass set off by a touch of mint. The higher proof bottling carries the aromas brilliantly all the way to the back your nose so that you feel you're almost tasting it before you even take your first sip. It morphs slowly in the glass. It's worth making a big pour and taking your time to savor it over an hour or two. The palate is full and rich, yet very lively, again thanks to the higher proof (and the lack of sugary additives). The flavors come in waves. First sweet - a reprise of a bountiful tropical harvest. Then herbal - fresh and cooked agaves and that unique flavorful sweetness of agave syrup, but in the haunting way in which the flavor and intensity of the fruit carries through distillation - like a fine eau de vie. A little spicy kick in the final wave and carried into the finish. It's beautiful and clean; precise, yet rich. A spectacular limited edition Tequila that we were actually able to secure a decent quantity on instead of just sadly informing people it's already sold out. I'm sure it won't be long before we have to change our tune and tell people it's gone, but we will certainly keep singing the praises of quality like this whenever we can get it.