Smiling Wolf Agave is built around the earthy, smoky character of tequila blanco. The base is blue agave syrup, with natural smoke from cherry wood and black pepper doing the work that gives tequila its heat and presence. A small quantity of Blanco Tequila is in the blend, which accounts for the 0.5% ABV. The functional nootropic and B vitamin formula is in there too. On the nose, cooked agave sits alongside a restrained salinity and a faint tropical fruit quality. The palate is cleaner and more direct: agave up front, smoke in the background, black pepper providing bite without sharpness. The mouthfeel is smooth rather than raw, which makes sense given the production approach. The finish is mouthwatering with a gentle citrus tang. It holds up reasonably well in a Margarita or a Paloma, though whether it fully fills the tequila role depends on how much you're used to the real thing.