Balancan Destilado is made by the young, dynamic producer Amando Alvarez, who is fighting to keep the Ixcateco traditions alive.
About this destilado de agave
Balancan Destilado is made in Santa Maria Ixcatlan, Oaxaca. It’s produced by Amando Alvarez using maguey Papalome (agave Cupreata). Amando roasts his agave in an underground pit oven, mills them by hand, and ferments in rawhide sacks. Once fermented, the agave are double-distilled in small clay pot stills. Read more about our trip to visit Amando in the blog: Santa María Ixcatlán: Rawhide Fermentation with Amando Alvarez
Balancan
Balancan is a collection of uncertified spirits from Mexico. Each spirit represents the traditional methods unique to that specific region. It’s sourced from small producers and designed to showcase the diversity of spirits across the country of Mexico.
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TzotollineRaramuri
75 reviewsLot PA001 Bottle#266/600
?- clear
?- drying impact.
Aromas of floral bouquet, honey comb, wax, linen, raw agave, quince, barley, mango, peach, green apple skin, hay, white tea, clay.
Adequate, complex production.
Average length and ordinary character.
?- coating, slightly warming/astringent effect;, sufficient smooth alcohol; medium body.
Primarily sweet &sour taste, light bitterness; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of honey, hay, agave, peppercorn, floral, quince, green apple skin, white tea.
Medium flavor intensity, slightly complex, harmonious balance.
Straightforwardly pleasant and very long finish.
Very good overall impression.
Learn more about organoleptic evaluation at the International Wine & Spirits Guild’s seminar in Fine Spirits,
or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.
Lot PA001 Bottle#266/600
?- clear
?- drying impact.
Aromas of floral bouquet, honey comb, wax, linen, raw agave, quince, barley, mango, peach, green apple skin, hay, white tea, clay.
Adequate, complex production.
Average length and ordinary character.
?- coating, slightly warming/astringent effect;, sufficient smooth alcohol; medium body.
Primarily sweet &sour taste, light bitterness; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of honey, hay, agave, peppercorn, floral, quince, green apple skin, white tea.
Jonny
708 reviewsPA001 from 2016. Aromas of apple cider vinegar, blue cheese, and sour green apples. Palate is peppery with sweet bell peppers. Notes of candied coated apples, sweet cream, and jalapeño cheddar. Highly viscous and genuinely approachable.
Tyler
643 reviewsReally nice. Not quite as wild and funky as some of Amando’s other releases – maybe more approachable for mezcal newbies. Well-rounded according to my taste preferences. Flavors of cinnamon, green apple skins, and tea. Lote PA001, bottle 156/600.
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsSample from Paul Dutton/Agave Fairy! Thanks! Limestone/clay like earth. Campfire with molasses and brettanomyces-like funk. Very subtle. Diggin this more than the Tuxca