I gotta admit, when I had my first taste of Sol y Lluvia, I wasn’t a big fan. But the more I kept drinking it, the more I appreciated it, and the more I stood behind it.

Sol y Lluvia is a classy Argentinian brand that’s naturally aged (12-24 months) and smoke-dried using the traditional barbacuá method.

Now despite its cartoonish packaging, don’t be deceived.

This mate is serious when it comes to offering a good drinking experience.

If you’re looking for a mate that’s reliable, flavorful, and easy to drink every day, Sol y Lluvia might be the one for you.

Nose

After opening the bag, Sol y Lluvia releases a delicious bouquet filled with decadent notes of fresh pastries, jam, and a slight hint of cedarwood. Surprisingly, I can’t detect anything smokey to the nose. The aroma is bright and especially mouth-watering.

Taste

From the first sip, Sol y Lluvia has this taste I’m very familiar with. I can’t pinpoint the exact brand it reminds me of – possibly Origen – but it was definitely another barbacuá brand.

Jumping into the mate, I find Sol y Lluvia to offer just the right amount of smoke. It doesn’t reach the cigarette-ashtray end of the spectrum that most people hate. Nor does it sway the other way where it’s hardly noticeable. The smokiness is gentle and tastes more akin to burning oak, giving the mate a warm woody flavor.

Sol y Lluvia also features simple, yet classic notes of earth, dirt, and hay combined with dried fruits to create an amazingly smooth and sweet infusion. A general sour note unique to Paraguayan brands is present as well, but mostly overshadowed. On the second half of the mate, the smokiness starts to fade into the background, allowing more subtle notes of milk, and florals to take the spotlight.

I found this mate to taste best in temps of around 155ºF (68ºC). Any higher and you ‘burn’ out all the nuanced notes and bring out more of the sourness. Going lower though can be tasty, as you get more of the fruity, fig-like flavors. However, it lacks in strength.

Finish

On the finish, Sol y Lluvia doesn’t leave much for me to enjoy. A bit of the sourness from before and that’s about it. Lasting for no longer than about 10 seconds, I’m quickly left empty-handed. To make matters worse, once I’m past the halfway point, I don’t taste anything at all.

I personally wish there was more to the finish as it’ll give this mate a little more character and complexity, but frankly, I’m OK with the way it is. The taste makes up for it.

Body/Texture

Sol y Lluvia is a light-to-medium-bodied mate. The first few gourdfuls produce a creamy and grainy mouthfeel which I enjoy, but it quickly turns watery for the rest of the mate.

The mate also has a slight astringent texture that I’m fond of. Some brands can be overboard and produce a strong drying sensation, but this leaves my palate feeling hydrated with just a slight constricting feeling in my mouth.

Cut

Sol y Lluvia features a classic Argentine cut. The leaves have a nice muted green color with hues of yellow, and they tag all sizes from small to large. Lots of big white palos can be found as well. More than usual I would say which is probably why the mate has such a smooth taste. When it comes to dust, it’s about average. Not too powdery, not too leafy. Just what you’d expect from an Argentinian yerba.

Preparing this mate should be effortless. Large particles help with filtration, and small particles help hold up the mountain. Any bombilla of your choice will work with this mate.

Cycle

Sol y Lluvia has a medium cycle. One mate session can last me about 3/4 of a liter before getting washed out which is long enough for me. The strength of the mate also holds up fairly well. The flavor lasts for a majority of its duration and gradually fades away until nothing is left.

Effect

Sol y Lluvia doesn’t have the strongest effect. At least in the beginning…

Instead of getting an instant energy boost like with most brands, this one is slow, steady, and likes to take its time. I don’t feel the enhanced focus and concentration until after about 10-15 minutes have passed. This one slowly creeps up on you which is nice because it keeps you in balance. But if you need that quick morning pick-me-up, this won’t be the best option. This mate is more suitable for writing or relaxing with a book. Energy levels and mental stimulation never go overboard with this brand.

Sol y Lluvia is a perfect all-day mate. Of course, I wouldn’t suggest drinking this immediately before bed, but I also don’t think drinking it at nighttime will cause any issues.

Sol Y Lluvia Barbacua Yerba Mate Review

I underestimated Sol y Lluvia.

This mate blew all my expectations out of the water. Although it may scare some of you away because it’s a barabacuá brand, it’s one even a beginner can get used to.

Smokey, yet subtle.

Simple, yet delicious.

Sol y Lluvia is a smoke-dried brand that tastes more smooth than harsh, and more sweet than bitter. It strikes the perfect balance, offering a drinking experience perfect for anyone.

If this mate sounds like something you’d enjoy, grab a bag below to try it today:

PampaDirect (Worldwide)
Click Here To Get A 500g / 1lb Bag

P.S. If you enjoyed our review, you also might want to check out our store for some yerba mate gear you won’t find anywhere else.