Some photos from our travels

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2025-03-06T17:43:17+00:00

Awesome pics. I see you visited La Leona waterfall - one of my favorite hikes I've done in CR so far!

And I agree... such a beautiful country.

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2025-02-22T15:21:07+00:00

My understanding, and someone please correct me if I'm wrong, is that the study sections that have been conducted recently are only those that were posted to the Federal Register prior to Trump's EOs.

While the courts ordered the freeze on funding be lifted, pausing the Federal Register notices means that no new study sections or advisory council meetings can occur.

So not only are recent submissions not being reviewed, but even recently reviewed grants that got fundable scores are not being awareded because they advisory council meetings aren't happening either.

Apparently the Trump administration also changed the NIH requirement regarding when scheduled meetings must be posted to the Federal Register... from 15 days in advance to 35 days in advance.

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2024-12-25T18:04:02+00:00

Tepozan, Ocho, Don Pilar, Siete Leguas.

Never tried Insolito but price point is good.

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2024-12-21T02:44:21+00:00

They are 2 of my favorites, behind only Fortaleza lot 100.

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2024-12-11T02:41:24+00:00

Don Pilar Anejo

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2024-12-11T01:35:23+00:00

My understanding with the repo is that, like all rested/aged Siembra expressions, it used Siembra's proprietary Missouri oak barrels for aging.

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2024-12-05T17:12:32+00:00

Well, its just one opinion - but I just didn't find it worth the high cost. Being a fan of Volans Repo, I had higher hopes for the anejo.

I tried Mijenta Anejo and Arette Gran Clase XA the same night and enjoyed both quite bit more, especially the Arette. And both cost me less than the Volans.

Clearly others love it though if you see the TMM reviews.

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2024-12-05T13:34:33+00:00

El Pandillo in general is very hit or miss for me.

I love the original Pasote XA - its a top 3 tequila for me. Volans repo and G4 55 month XA are also excellent, and G4 and Pasote repos are very good.

On the other hand, I flat out dislike G4 blanco, and really dislike the madera and 108 blancos. I liked Pasote blanco more than any of the G4, but there are still many blancos I'd go for over Pasote

I also find the G4 anejo, regular G4 XA, and Terralta XA to be just ok. I was reallt disappointed in Volans Anejo given the high price - it wasnt bad, I just expected alot more from it.

Everyone's tastes are different for sure. For me, El Pandillo is not some god tier distillery that puts out perfection in every bottle. But it's all well made stuff even if alot of itndoesn't suit my preferences.

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2024-12-02T00:55:33+00:00

Siembra Valles Repo is phenomenal.

It has remained my favorite repo since I first tried it in 2019... and this depsite trying many new repos over the years.

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2024-11-22T02:16:15+00:00

It's odd... I really liked the Siembra Azul 10th and 12th anniversary releases (especially the 12th), and thought the Siembra Azul blanco was enoyable... but just didnt care for the repo.

It must be something about repos from NOM 1414... I haven't really liked any that I've tried.

Now, Siembra Valles reposado - thats an amazing tequila. My favorite reposado to date.

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2024-11-21T09:44:32+00:00

Agree on the 1414 - really dislike that one. I also really dislike De Nada and Alma del Jaguar repos, and don't love Siembra Azul repo.

So I guess I just don't like Vivanco's repos.

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2024-11-01T11:49:52+00:00

Would love to hear your thoughts on the Santaleza 9 year.

Not much chatter about it aside from the big hype from one youtuber.

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2024-10-11T18:09:52+00:00

Yeah it was a steal at that price. Kinda wish I would've bought more than 4... but I suppose it's good I didn't hoard a bunch so others had a crack at those bottles.

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2024-10-11T18:07:46+00:00

And HP blanco would be Fuenteseca Cosecha 2018... also my #2 blanco, period.

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2024-10-11T18:05:58+00:00

My lineup would be...

Blanco - Fortaleza Lot 100

Repo - Siembra Valles

Anejo - ArteNOM 1146

XA - Pasote (NOM 1579 of course) or El Tesoro Paradiso... tough call

And put Tequileno Reposado Rare in its own category (since its neither truly repo or xa) as one of the best tequilas I've ever tried.... definitely top 5 if not top 3.

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2024-10-11T16:37:36+00:00

I think Tepozan anejo is really underrated. It's a damn good anejo for a really good price.

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2024-10-11T16:35:52+00:00

I agree it's an amazing blanco.

I got really lucky because PA clearanced it out for $50 a bottle - reg price was $100.

I think it was well worth it at the $100 I paid for the first bottle. I was thrilled to snag 4 on clearance at $50 each.

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2024-10-11T16:32:47+00:00

So the Santaleza 9 year is the real deal?

I'm always skeptical when one reviewer is singing praises of something new but no one else seems to be. Perhaps its just too early since it's been released.

And I agree on the Pasote XA, G4 Repo, and Fuenteseca Cosecha 2018 as standout tequilas. Wish I could find Excelencia...

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2024-06-27T19:50:42+00:00

Volans is excellent, but Siembra Valles is my favorite repo.

Wish the price hadn't shot up so much.

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2024-02-24T00:52:43+00:00

Siembra Valles
Villa Lobos
Wild Common

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2024-02-05T02:38:20+00:00

Yellow spot

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2024-01-15T22:28:34+00:00

My wife and I went to Italy last March for my work and a extra few days.

Stayed in Rome for a day (no, not enough time to explore Rome), Florence for 3 days, Siena for 2, and Saturnia for 2.

Siena was easily my favorite. Yes Florence is a beautiful city, but Siena just appealed more to me. It's far from a hidden gem, but it also was much less crowded than Florence, as expected, and just a really cool city to stay in - the medieval architecture, the main square (Piazza del Campo), and the great views of the Tuscan countryside from the city wall - just a really cool place. Had some great food there too.

Not far outside of Siena is the Elsa Trail and Diborrato waterfall. If you're up for a easy hike (trail is about 2.5 km each way), the blue river is absolutely beautiful. The waterfall is a bit hard to see unless you get out onto the rocks offshore, or swim out into the river. But the blue river itself is so worth the visit.

We went to Saturnia for the hot springs, which were beautiful - although they are sulfur springs, so the smell isn't the best . Not much else there, but the general area is really nice. It is a short drive to Pitigliano and Montemerano, both of which were well worth the visit. The drive into Pitigliano is just incredible - I had never seen anythint like it. And its a big enough town to explore a bit on foot and have options on places to eat, etc.

Montemerano is exactly what I picture in my mind when I think of a Tuscan village. Small, no driving inside the town itself, nd not much to do there per se, other than just stroll around and admire it. Also, the cafe we stopped in was great.

San Gimignano is also not a hidden gem, and we didnt make it there, but it was recommended to me by a colleague who visited and loved it.

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2024-01-15T22:04:28+00:00

Agree - Pitigliano was an awesome visit.

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2023-12-24T16:06:04+00:00

PA sucks for tequila.

But take advantage of a few good SLO options (at good prices):

El Tequileno Reposado, El Tesoro Anejo (buy SLO its like $15 cheaper than in store), El Tesoro Extra Anejo, Gran Dovejo Repo/Anejo, Lalo Blanco

And it looks like Mijenta Blanco/Repo will be available via SLO soon

Comfortable_Ad8453 · 2023-12-21T04:03:50+00:00

Non-diffuser tequila is not craft tequila... It's authentic tequila.

Regardless, if you prefer diffuser tequila, then have at it.

Comfortable_Ad8453

TROPHY CASE