Kraus — 3.35 of 5 palos — reviewed 2/24/2012
Type: Kraus Pionero
Region: San Ignacio, Misiones, Argentina.
Description:
This is one of Kraus’ very notable brands of mate. With palos, this expression of their yerba has a nutty and smooth profile. After spending a few weeks with their stronger, Gaucho, label, you may be inclined to try this much smoother, weaker mate.
Cut 3.25 palos
Large, chunky cut. Necessarily overdone on the palos to offer the smooth, watered-down taste, but perhaps still too much lumber. Monster palos! Abundant amount of splinter palos—no good. Decent PPL-R. Good polvo content.
Body/Texture 3.25 palos
Light/medium body. Milk chocolatey. Sawdust. Oaky.
Nose 3.75 palos
Very clean and fresh. Fresh cut grass. Has a noticeable sweetness and pizaz. A bit zesty. Orange peel. Watermelon rind. Oak. Cherry. Sawdust.
Finish 4.00 palos
Excellently smooth finish. Good balance and harmonization with opening, mid palate, and finish. Smooth sailing. Some astringency and harsh kickbacks, but still maintaining smoothness. Lemony.
Cycle 2.75 palos
Short cycle, especially compared to the other Kraus lables: Gaucho and Orgánica. This is due to the abundance of palos included.
Overall: 3.35 palos
Recommendation:
Good yerba; recommendable to drinkers that prefer a weak taste profile. Comparable yerbas are: Nobleza Gaucha and Unión Suave, but this yerba has a bit more backbone.
