Alipus San Juan del Rio is produced by Don Rodolfo Juan Juarez, who is also bottled in the Mezcalero brand that is available in the US.
About this mezcal
Alipus San Juan del Rio is made with agave Espadin. Alipus started working with Joel Antonio Cruz for this release, however the family turned over distillation to Joel’s younger cousin Rodolfo Juan Juarez a few years ago. This mezcal is distinguished by the conditions of the plants location in reddish and white soils, and long fermentation periods, which will mark the mineral and chalky tones.
Alipus Mezcal
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 was incorporated, made by Don Baltazar Cruz and sons, of San Luis del Río, and Alipús San Miguel, made by Don Felix García, Leonardo Rojas, and Tío Jesús in the Potrero Sola de Vega.
Craft Distillers’ tasting video
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Ranger_Ryan
45 reviewsLot SJR108/20
Decent mezcal, sipping was ok. Some rough edges but I liked the sweetness from the agave.
BoulderBrexitRefugee
29 reviewsLot SJR106/22. Fiercely hot and peppery when I first opened the bottle, really not enjoyable at that time. But a month or so later it’s mellowed. Still hot — alcohol burn and peppery spice — but now I can taste other things too. There’s a caramelized sugar aroma and taste, some smoke, and then a little savory to balance it out. All in all it’s pretty pleasant to sip considering its affordable price point. Not complex, not a long finish, but very good value I’d say.
Lot SJR106/22. Fiercely hot and peppery when I first opened the bottle, really not enjoyable at that time. But a month or so later it’s mellowed. Still hot — alcohol burn and peppery spice — but now I can taste other things too. There’s a caramelized sugar aroma and taste, some smoke, and then a little savory to balance it out. All in all it’s pretty pleasant to sip considering its affordable price point. Not complex, not a long finish, but very good value I’d say.
Peachkobbler
2 reviewsRound but bright up front, lots of salinity (maybe a bit of pear?) into its defining, long chalky finish. Like taking a bite out of the riverside dirt of an Oceans Inlet. Some lactic acid gives it a bit of pleasant funk but mostly rustic smoke. Not incredibly memorable, but would drink again! A bit more smoke than I like, which could lead to a good cocktail experience vs a sipping libation.
El-Dawg
209 reviewsSJR104/21
This one was a cool 47.5% ABV, which seems to be different then other reviews. The taste was a bit hot no doubt, but pleasantly complex with sharper notes. Tropical fruit, and banana. Surprised of the negative reviews here, but seems like they changed something for the better on this one (or maybe this bottle is super old).
Review #172
20deabril
1 reviewThis piece of art is far distance from all people are putting it. I am Mexican and live in Mexico a have tried more than 250 espadín labels and believe this one is the most accurate and marvelous espadín yo will ever sip. Espadín, smoke, pepper, comino, caramel and some herbs no additives, and the perfect alcohol proof near 99 makes this the best choice for the money atm , go for it
logar
20 reviewsSmells and tastes of agave, light and not smoky at all. It also has an alcoholic tone.
aarild
152 reviewsSpicy nose of allspice, dust and acetone. Vaguely lactic, sourdough.
Tastes earthy, mineral but without specific clay, slate or the like. Viscous mouthfeel, although personally I think it is still dry and mineral rather than oily. Vegetal connotations unusual for an espadin, not a lot of fruit but balanced. Subdued aftertaste. This bottle had been opened several years ago, so a hint of a sour aftertaste is something that had probably mellowed over time and corona lockdowns. Solid enough in the state it was in when I tasted.
Lot SJR103/16
Spicy nose of allspice, dust and acetone. Vaguely lactic, sourdough.
Tastes earthy, mineral but without specific clay, slate or the like. Viscous mouthfeel, although personally I think it is still dry and mineral rather than oily. Vegetal connotations unusual for an espadin, not a lot of fruit but balanced. Subdued aftertaste. This bottle had been opened several years ago, so a hint of a sour aftertaste is something that had probably mellowed over time and corona lockdowns. Solid enough in the s
meighmey
18 reviewsLot Unknown … Hot and sweet on the nose. Orange peel, lemon and white pepper on the palate. An even smoke flavor with a peppery finish. Enjoyed neat. Used at local establishment as their house mezcal for most cocktails.
GeorgePBurdell
49 reviewsLot SJR101/18
A bit hot on the nose. Tropical fruit, agave, pepper, and minerality on the palate but the primary impression is viscosity and oiliness. Not unpleasant but doesn’t sing like better mezcals.
TheAgaveFairy
169 reviewsThe agave isn’t super sweet, the minerality is there but ties into some acetone notes, more white pepper and slightly acrid / burnt notes too. Drinks a little above its proof, complexity isn’t really obvious either. Some vague papaya fruit, underripe pineapple, dried mango, cayenne, a medium amount of smoke. A little meaty which is nice, like pork chop crust. Toasted almond and hazelnut, thin vanilla. Good finish besides the heat, which shows a little bit of lime. As much as I like Alipus most of the time, this producer unfortunately I don’t think is giving enough attention to the product.
The agave isn’t super sweet, the minerality is there but ties into some acetone notes, more white pepper and slightly acrid / burnt notes too. Drinks a little above its proof, complexity isn’t really obvious either. Some vague papaya fruit, underripe pineapple, dried mango, cayenne, a medium amount of smoke. A little meaty which is nice, like pork chop crust. Toasted almond and hazelnut, thin vanilla. Good finish besides the heat, which shows a little bit of lime. As much as I like Alipus mo
Rakhal
421 reviewsLot: SJR107/18 Very sweet, rubbing alcohol, pineapple, banana, viscous with a sour finish.
Mansson
71 reviewsDidn’t enjoy this one at all. Rough and alcoholic. Used it in cocktails.
LosMuertos
33 reviewsI find this very sharp, unbalanced, alcoholic and unattractive. Smells of paint that stings in your nose. Not a favourite.
Scent: 1/5
Mouthfeel: 1/5
Aequivinius
6 reviewsIntense nose: meaty mostly, with some underlying fruit (guava, unripe melons), nettle. As you give it time in the glass, more green aromas come through, think gazpacho. Very big arrival in mouth, extraordinary texture! So silk and dense! Quite sweet, clay and baked bananas, finishes quite soon and doesn’t develop as much, leaving mostly smoke and caramel in the finish. Quite a bolt package, but lacking a tiny bit in complexity. (Tasted 21 VII 18, bottle 1311/2100, lot SRJ104/15)
JRB
13 reviewsAlipus Joven Mezcal San Juan / 95 proof
Tahona milled, copper still. Thick and oily. Smoke is prominent but not overwhelming, minimal agave notes. Not my favorite Alipus, but still very good, and probably the best one for mixing due to its strong character. (Lot SJR103/16, bottle 184/1200)
Jonny
705 reviewsLot SJR109/15. Very ashy with notes of vanilla on the nose. Even at 47%, this mezcal tastes a lot hotter than it actually is. It has a sharp bite with lots of mineral and ashy notes that lay over a base of ground nuts and oak. It’s got a nice finesse on the palate, and the finish is long. I’m a huge fan of the Alipus lineup, and this one is my least favorite of their regular releases.
Tyler
641 reviewsAlipus makes some of my favorite casual sipping mezcal and while this is tasty it is not my favorite of their “single village” lineup. The San Juan has bright copper notes along with ash and wood. There are some dry citrus notes. The finish is smooth and slightly metallic. Lot SJR109/15.