Cuentacuentos El Barro began as a project to create an alternative to the "low ABV, watery, tasteless well mezcals" found in bars across the US.
About this destilado de agave
Cuentacuentos El Barro began as a project to create an alternative to the “low ABV, watery, tasteless well mezcals” found in bars across the US. This 46% alcohol by volume maguey Espadin mezcal is first distilled in copper and then distilled a second time in clay. Mezcalero Ricardo Ruiz is from a mezcalero family in Sola de Vega, but he distills this mezcal in Santiago Matatlán. The founder of Cuentacuentos and Carlos Mendes Blas convinced Ricardo to help install four clay pots in the Matatlán distillery. That way they could do the first run in copper and then finish the mezcal in clay in 30 liter runs. Given the efficient production practices, this release aims to meet the same price point as most mezcals found “in the well”.
Cuentacuentos
Cuentacuentos curates small-batch traditional mezcals and destilados de agave from producers across the state of Oaxaca. Cuentacuentos released its first 6 mezcal expressions in 2018; future releases from the brand will change over time and include non-certified mezcals. The logo and bottle artwork (by artist Cesar Ruiz Conseco) features an opossum or tlacuache in Spanish. The tlacuache on the logo is El Viejito, the little old man opposum who stole mezcal from the demons as a service to humanity. The tlacuache ranks with the jaguar, eagle, and burro in importance in Zapotec, Taina, and Mexican mythologies. The Cuentacuentos motto is Mezcal brings people together, stories make us friends.
Craft Distillers’ tasting video
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Jam
149 reviewsNo batch number. 46% abv
Review #41: light cream, lime, vanilla, blend of light tropical fruits, minerals, and clay
This is easygoing and welcoming. A bit boring, but there’s nothing really bad about it. This would be a great cocktail bottle or something to sip on without having to think about anything going on.
Forpowder
79 reviews46% no batch number Maestro Ricardo Ruiz aromas out of the bottle are buttery scotch and smooth smoke flavors. Aromas and flavors follow suit with overripe tropical mangoes and papayas this is really delicious mezcal for the price. Will continue to review as the bottle opens up but for the price this is a winner. After airing out and down to a quarter of a bottle the stuff’s a winner a lot of peppermint and other mints candy light smoke very approachable.
Tyler
643 reviewsNice sipper with some character. The clay is certainly present and provides a softness to the finish. There is some smoke and dark fruit. Some slight metallic notes mid-palate. Definitely dig the inspiration by this; a higher-ABV mixer. Not sure about batch but got this sample in summer 2020.
dontimo66
5 reviewsThe upfront aromas are yogurty, green, papaya, with dash of smoke/char. Light sweetness at first sip, with medium intensity green mint. More funk on the finish than I expected.
Wild Common
10 reviewsFloral, warm, balanced.
Jonny
708 reviewsAromas of wet clay, green forest after rain, and dark fruits like overripe papaya. Balanced palate with a bit of a sour touch. Notes of green apples, fresh cream, strawberries jam, brûlée, dark fruits, and fine coffee powder.