Mezcal

Wolfrock Wine and Spirits

Agave americana

Mezcal is a Mexican distilled spirit made from the maguey plant, and refers to all agave based distilled liquors that are not tequila. Its fabrication and consumption are popularly associated with the Mexican State of Oaxaca, however, commercial and private production of mezcal is known over a wide area of central-south Mexico outside of tequila producing areas (Jalisco and Guanajuato states). There are many different subspecies of maguey plant, and each produces a different taste of mezcal. Tequila is a mezcal made from the blue agave plant in the town of Tequila and the surrounding region of Jalisco. Mezcal is made from the agave plant, commonly referred to in Mexico as maguey. In the tequila region the indigenous people call the plant mezcal. Agave — a Greek word meaning noble — was assigned to the 400 + species a hundred years ago due to the large number of uses that the plant offered ancient peoples. After the agave matures (6-8 years) it is harvested by magueyeros (agave field workers, more generally called jimadores) and the leaves are chopped off using a long-handled knife known as a coa or coa de jima (a type of machete), leaving only the large hearts, which are called corazón (Spanish for "heart") or piñas (Spanish for "pineapple"). The corazón is then cooked and crushed, producing a mash. After the fermentation stage is done, the mash is double-distilled. The first distillation yields ordinary low-grade alcohol. After the first distillation, the fibers are removed from the still and the resulting alcohol from the first distillation added back into the still. This mixture is distilled once again. At this point the mezcal may be bottled or aged. Mezcal ages quite rapidly in comparison to other spirits. It is aged in large wooden barrels for two months to seven years. During this time the mezcal acquires a golden color, and its flavor is influenced by the wooden barrels. The longer it is aged, the darker the color and the more noticeable the flavor. Age classifications: Añejo – Aged for at least a year in barrels no larger than 350 litres. Reposado (rested) – Aged two months to a year. Joven (Blanco) – "Young" White (colorless) mezcal, aged less than two months. (source: wikipedia.com)

A picture of all seven bottles.

Del Maguey, Single Village Mezcal ™ Oaxaca, Mexico

"FEW SPIRITS TAP INTO THE MYTHIC PAST QUITE LIKE MEZCAL -
AT ITS HEART, THIS MEXICAN SPIRIT HAS RETAINED ITS MYSTERY,
AND STILL EMBRACES THE ANCIENT NOTION OF ALCOHOL AS A
GIFT FROM THE GODS."

Chichicapa
Chichicapa has a relatively light nose, yet is deep and sweet on the tongue with a very complex character. It has a long finish, with a distinct smokiness and hint of mint at the end.

Chichicapa is 2 hours south of Oaxaca, and 2 hours to the west on a dirt road. The pueblo elevation is about 7,000 feet. Chichicapa is separated from the valley of Oaxaca by a mountain range. The valley is broad, about thirty miles deep and ten miles wide. The climate is desert and tropical, with banana trees, guava, mangoes and other exotic fruits. Faustino Garcia Vasquez is the maker of Chichicapa. He is a humble and talented craftsmen with great respect for the ancient processes.

Santo Domingo Albarradas
Espiridion has a high light nose with lots of citrus overtones. A bit of roasted pear too. Lots of tropical fruit on the tongue, spicy and woody. A clean dry finish.

Santo Domingo Albarradas is located in the high Mixe (pronounced Mee-Hay) region south of Oaxaca. The Mixe is a high altitude tropical zone closely resembling parts of Hawaii. Tropical plants and fruits grow here beside rushing mountain streams. Cool gray mists blow through the valleys and Pine trees also grow nearby. The water here is spectacular! Espiridion Morales Luis and his son Juan are our Palenqueros. Espiridion has been making Mezcal since the Fifties. He is soft spoken and sincere which reflects in the honesty of his mezcal. All the transportation in this area is by horse or burro, which limits production.

TOBALÁ (A. Potatorum)
Whenever one mentions Tobalá in a smaller village, the peoples eyes light up and a broad smile covers their face. They say their Ancestors, in times before the maguey began to be cultivated by man in lower altitude fields, always made their mezcal from this wild plant.
This Tobala has a sweet, fruity nose, with a mango and cinnamon taste and long, extra smooth finish. The pueblo elevation is around 8,200 feet, with a mountainous, tropical microclimate.
Traditionally the high mountain village's government "Municipios" permit their producers to cut Tobalá one month per year. The month before the village's patron saint's fiesta! They normally produce about 400 liters a year, which is almost totally consumed during the fiesta week.
They had been purchasing 25 liters a year from a rare, remote, high mountain producer for our personal use. They have the great fortune to have convinced their Zapotec palenquero to produce an extra 450 liters for Del Maguey this year.
False Mezcal labeling in the commercial production towns and sales in cities is endemic to Tobalá, Pechuga, as well as Minero. There is no way to find a TRUE bottle of any of these special mezcals any place in Mexico, including Oaxaca, other than the village they were made in or from Del Maguey!
The 2005 vintage of this special elixir (with extremely exceptional aromatics this year) is available in a hand numbered, limited edition of 600 Emerald green, 750 ml bottles, with a hand-woven natural colored Palm-fiber Basket.

mezcal bottles
SCORPION MEZCAL is an award-winning family of 100% Agave distilled spirits, made in Oaxaca, the official and traditional home of mezcal making in Mexico.

All Scorpion brand super-premium and premium quality mezcals are carefully handmade in small quantities and individually numbered. These single-barrel mezcals allow consumers to fully appreciate the true flavorful and aromatic expression of fine100% agave spirits. Distilled in a small artisanal palenque, these mezcals exhibit the same complex subtleties as a cognac, and are far superior to bulk-made tequilas. As a distinguishing feature, all varieties of SCORPION MEZCAL come with a real scorpion in the bottle.

La Foguta Mezcal Anejo

Rated 92 by WINE ENTHUSIAST MAGAZINE

Very pale straw in color; the aromas are extremely vegetal, with a very faint smokiness that provides an interesting backdrop. The body is big and silky, and the palate, filled with wood-smoke flavors, is surprisingly understated. Some citrus notes also show themselves on the tongue, and the finish is warm and very long-lasting.

Send mail to drew74@cox.net with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2006 , Inc Last modified: 07/14/09

Send mail to drew74@cox.net with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2006 , Inc
Last modified: 07/14/09