Del Maguey Wild Papalometl Mezcal (750ml)

Fernando Caballero Cruz his family live in the Mixteca Alta region, 5 hours' drive down down a truly primitive rock and dirt road. The maguey Papalometl is named for the Nahuatl term for "butterfly" (papalotl). Otherwise scientifically named Agave cupreata, this species' leaves look like a giant Tobala. Distillation takes place in a stainless pot with a clay condensor and Carrizo (Mexican bamboo) tube. Earthy dark and delicious, the nose is like sinking into a rich leather chair. A palate of leather, slate, a hint of black olive and meatiness leads to a medium-long finish that moves from slightly sweet notes of dark dried black cherries to an earthy, savory mushroom character. From the limited release Vino del Mezcal series.