Richard-ModernDrinking
Del Maguey Arroqueño Mezcal
Mezcal Joven — Oaxaca, Mexico
Reviewed
May 27, 2019 (edited December 3, 2021)
Nose: Guava, pears, pineapple, lacquer, night-blooming jasmine, black licorice, something vegetal, Aztec-style chocolate, sweet paprika... I could go on.
Palate: Rich, oily, peppery, creamy, floral, savory
Finish: Sweet, tangy
I’m no mezcal expert, but this is one of the most extraordinary spirits I’ve sampled. The only thing that’s missing is a stronger sense of smoke, which doesn’t extend beyond the hint of paprika on the nose. Regardless, this is an incredibly complex mezcal that keeps revealing new flavors. There’s so much going on that you’ll find yourself sipping it more slowly than you might usually. Highly recommended and not as hard to find as one would think for a release that was supposedly limited to 360 bottles. There appear to be multiple lots, so perhaps the number refers to each batch.
80.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@Richard-ModernDrinking @KRB80 I can’t go there...I have 500 bottles I first need to unload
@KRB80 I’m with you. This rabbit hole is calling my name.
@PBMichiganWolverine That’s fantastic stuff right there! Reading that Holy Smoke! book is really illuminating and only amplified my intrigue. Not only is the spirit itself insanely complex but the backstories with all the Mezcalero lineages, their rustic palenques, the passion, and the endless complexities behind the various agaves. I’m a scotch guy and my favorites are the earthy, mineral, complex offerings and these mezcals have that in spades while also being bright and fresh making them great for the upcoming summer. Truly, I’m fucked!
@KRB80 nice!! Two years ago, I was on vacation In Oaxaca, and happened to visit a small micro-distillery there. Was really impressed on how it’s made. Just three ingredients: agave, water, and plenty of sun. All done naturally by highly skilled craftsman. ( the one I visited was literally a 2 brother and 1 donkey shop...selling no label products only locally).
Funny. I actually just started getting into mezcal and it’s bordering on obsession. I’m currently reading Holy Smoke! It’s Mezcal and over the weekend bought Del Maguey Arroqueño, Madrecuixe, and Chichicapa. All phenomenal but the Madrecuixe is my favorite of the three so far. Had a spirits tasting at a friends house this past Sunday and one of em also brought the Minero and 100% Tobala, both great. My good friend is going to bringing on the full El Jogorio lineup into his store soon but I currently have my eyes on a Real Minero Largo which is supposed to be ridiculous.
@Richard-ModernDrinking I had a Los Sieste Pechuga at a Mexican restaurant ( I think Rosa Mexicana in NYC). Was amazing...concept is totally bonkers, but the flavors were really good
@cascode I’d love to try that Pechuga (the concept is bonkers) but it’s pricey at $200.
@Richard-ModernDrinking Ah, thank you - I didn't realise that this expression was listed on the site. The terroir and palenquero explains a lot - this is the same team that make the Del Maguey Pechuga, Iberico and Minero mezcals (all mind-blowingly good). They also did another limited release made from Barril agave a while back, but it's pretty rare now.
@cascode According to their website... Village: Santa Catarina Minas Palenquero: Florencio Carlos Sarmiento, Florencio Carlos Vasquez, Luis Carlos Vazquez Questions like that make me realize how much I have to learn about this spirit! What good fortune that the beautiful book Mezcal was a Kindle deal today.
Wow, I've never even seen this one - what's the village of origin and palenquero?
@PBMichiganWolverine Retail is at least $100 but I was able to score two for $160 on the secondary market
At $80, it’s pretty good, considering how hard it is to cultivate these rare agaves