Notes: First off yes, they do grow apples in New Mexico along with cherries peaches and pears. . .I know that is news to a lot of people! The brandy is a Calvados style made from a blend of apple varieties both from the distillers farm and from the surrounding area.

Appearance: Attractive brown red in the bottle, straw gold colored in the glass. Light coating on the glass when you swirl it, a crenellated edge on swirling with some legs developing then droplets forming after a bit.

First Impression: Subtle apple and vanilla scents with a touch of cinnamon,and undertones of oak, pepper and hints of leather, tobacco, from the wood aging.

Taste: Apples, vanilla, cinnamon, lingering notes of tobacco, char, leather that develop after a bit, along with a nice mineral and alkali presence. As it is fairly young it is still rather fruit forward (in a nice way) the wood has not overwhelmed the apple tastes and the local water and other factors make for a nicely unique taste. A lot of calvados this age tastes like it would take the paint off a car.

Drinks: We tried a a number of calvados-based, cognac-based cocktails and a number of recipes calling for apple brandy or applejack it worked well for all of them, but is a touch more rustic than a cognac.

Cigars: Works well with a mild cigar.

Final Thoughts: Nicely done and has a definite sense and taste of terroir (New Mexican Terrior that is).

Bottle: Apothecary style with very clear and bright clear glass with heavy weighted decanter type bottom. Apothecary look is further enhanced by the Industrial and hand typed look/graphics of the label. Silver paper seal is striking , Slightly larger mouth/top to neck make for easy pouring and the composite cork closure is thoughtful -what it lacks in character it makes up for in sealing. Each bottle is hand numbered as to batch and bottle number.
Web site: http://www.santafespirits.com

Good web site with easy navigation, and both charming and entertaining.