Alipus Destilado en Barro is a very special Mezcal. This Mezcal is distilled in clay pots, which is typical of this region of Oaxaca.
Alipus Destilado en Barro is a very special Mezcal. It is a small batch, rare variety that uses clay pot distillation and the rare Arroqueno agave. There are three different mezcaleros who make this Mezcal, and the sticker on the neck of the bottle will tell you which mezcalero made that specific bottle. There are three possibilities for the mezcalero: Tio Leonardo (made by Leonardo Rojas), Tio Jesus (made by Jesus Rios), or Tio Felix (made by Felix Garcia). All three of them make their Mezcal in a similar fashion and all of the agave that is used displays a similar terrior as it is grown on a remote country hillside. This Mezcal is distilled in clay pots, which gives the Mezcal a very unique mouth feel in comparison to copper distillation.
Alipús is a social project that seeks to generate rural economy in Oaxaca through making and commercializing artisan mezcal. These are mezcales jóvenes (unaged), made by a small family distilleries. Alipús was born in 1999, as a project of the Destilería Los Danzantes, with Don Joel Antonio and sons as the first producers, in San Juan del Río. Subsequently, Don Eduardo Hernández, of Santa Ana del Río, making Alipús Santa Ana mezcal; Don Cosme Hernandez and his son Cirilo in San Baltazar Guelavila, who make the Alipús San Baltazar mezcal; Don Valente Angel and sons, of Santa María La Pila, with the Alipús San Andrés mezcal. In 2013, Alipús San Luis is incorporated, made by Don Baltazar Cruz and sons, of San Luis del Río, and Alipús San Miguel, made by Don Felix García and Leonardo Rojas in the Potrero Sola de Vega.
Craft Distillers’ tasting video
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Aequivinius on Jul 3, 2018
6 reviews
This one changes tremendously over time – give it 20 minutes in the glas, and the phenolic nose changes into a beautiful stew of mangos, bananas, limes cooked in butter; clove oil, too, and lemon balm freshness. Incredible texture, smooth and buttery; cinnamon spice. Wet clay in the finish, indeed. Very powerful mezcal, but gently so.
razorbackmike on Apr 16, 2018
87 reviews
love this mezcal.the nose is sweet but has a funky cheese layer.the taste is sweet up front but the bold spicy arroqueno takes over mid way.the finish has a strong pepper bite.very little clay.unique and strong but not overwelming.has a good punch.delicious!
Chris on Apr 7, 2018
26 reviews
Super nose on this to start out. We began with some Rey Campero Sierra Negra tonight, which was very tasty. This was more floral. The middle on the mouth was great too. Not sure what to say about the aftertaste though. You would think copper rather than clay. Perhaps just a more mineral finish. Not off putting, but unusual given the rest of the flavors coming out of this. I’m looking forward to trying a limited edition Alipus 100% arroqueno in the next day or so.
Clay on Apr 12, 2017
Tio Leonardo is one of my all time favorites. Savory and complex with sweet smoke, deep earth and chocolate undertones. It’s everything I could want in a Mezcal.
Tyler on Dec 12, 2016
245 reviews
Vegetal and earthy on the nose. This 80/20 blend is bursting with delicious Arroqueno flavor. There are notes of dried tobacco, grape, black pepper, and citrus. This mezcal is like a very complex espadin, approachable and supremely enjoyable. Lot SMS001L/14 from Tio Leonardo.
Jonny on Dec 12, 2016
265 reviews
The bottle I tried was from Tio Leonardo. This starts out sweet and a little spicy and then moves into greater complexity and more Arroqueno flavor. It’s a bit vegetal and fruity with notes of fresh berries, but this really straddles the line between fruit and spice. It’s perfectly balanced with a full mouthfeel. Fantastic!
3chainz on Dec 12, 2016
19 reviews
Sweet fragrance and light mouth feel.
Taste is complex, earthy, with vegetal notes
Keith on Nov 14, 2016
33 reviews
Leonardo – funk, earth, clay; not the sweet side of Espadin or Arroqueno. I give it four stars for its strength of character, but would give it three and a half stars if that option were available. To be clear, I like funk, it is a good thing.