The Del Maguey Chichicapa is a classic release that may very well be one of the most well-known mezcals on the international market.
About this mezcal
The Del Maguey Chichicapa has a relatively light nose, yet it is deep and sweet on the tongue with lots of citrus and a complex character. It has a long finish with developing smokiness and a hint of chocolate and mint at the end. The town of Chichicapa is dry and tropical, depending on the time of year, with banana trees, guava, and mangoes.
Del Maguey Mezcal
Del Maguey (pronounced ma–gay), Single Village Mezcal was founded in 1995 by internationally renowned artist and Mezcal visionary, Ron Cooper. Ron introduced the world to previously unavailable 100% certified organic, artisanal Mezcal produced the original handcrafted way. Through deep cultural relationships with Zapotec Mexican Indian producers in the remote villages of Oaxaca, Mexico, Del Maguey harnesses ancient, original organic processes. Combining these methods with varying micro-climates and terroir gives each creation its own unique, rich, sweet and smoky character. Every product in their collection is made by individual family palenqueros (producers) in old-style villages. They are the first producer to credit each product after the village where our liquid is made. When you see their beautiful green bottles you know it’s Del Maguey. Most of Del Maguey’s mezcals are distilled to proof, so the ABV will vary slightly between batches.
In June of 2017, international spirits company, Pernod Ricard, purchased majority stake in the company. Del Maguey is now part of their portfolio that includes Jameson Whiskey, Absolute Vodka, and Havana Club Rum.
Review this bottle
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themezcalpadawan
6 reviewsLot chi-192/48% ALC
A delightful surprise as I had almost begun to assume that the best expressions of maguey espadin are in the Nuestro Elsoledad range. A delightful citrus note on the palette, with slight floral and peppery notes in the lingering finish, very comparable to San Luis Del Rio espadin expressions (a touch more vibrant than Del Maguey Vida in my opinion). The nose does not give up much beyond an oily component behind the smoke. I felt like I was getting a hint of overcooked olive oil somewhere.An excellent and relatively inexpensive bottle that should be considered in the list of “gateway” Mezcal for those new to this spirit.
Let it in ya,get it up ya!
The Mezcal Padawan
Lot chi-192/48% ALC
A delightful surprise as I had almost begun to assume that the best expressions of maguey espadin are in the Nuestro Elsoledad range. A delightful citrus note on the palette, with slight floral and peppery notes in the lingering finish, very comparable to San Luis Del Rio espadin expressions (a touch more vibrant than Del Maguey Vida in my opinion). The nose does not give up much beyond an oily component behind the smoke. I felt like I was getting a hint of overcooked olive o
TzotollineRaramuri
75 reviewsCHI-1958
?- clear
?- drying/warning impact.
Aromas of suede, faux leather, sawdust, animal sweat, pepper, cooked aloe vera, lemon, caraway, nutmeg.
Adequate, slightly complex production.
Average length and ordinary to fine character.
?-warming slight astringency, sufficiently to generous/smooth to rough alcohol; medium body.
Primarily sour taste with light bitterness; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of lemon and lime zest, white pepper, nutmeg, spice, apricot, guava, quince.
Concentrated flavor intensity, complex, bold and harmonious balance.
Straightforwardly pleasant and very long finish.
Very good to excellent 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.
CHI-1958
?- clear
?- drying/warning impact.
Aromas of suede, faux leather, sawdust, animal sweat, pepper, cooked aloe vera, lemon, caraway, nutmeg.
Adequate, slightly complex production.
Average length and ordinary to fine character.
?-warming slight astringency, sufficiently to generous/smooth to rough alcohol; medium body.
Primarily sour taste with light bitterness; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of lemon and lime zest, white pepper, nutmeg, spice, apricot, guava, quince.
Concentrated flavor inte
namespayne
9 reviewsDelicate ball of smoke and fire. Nose: fresh rubber, solvents, pepper, champagne. Taste: Kerosene fuel and sugar. Briny, rock salt minerality is borderline offensive. Pungent. that briny coal tar taste you find in peated whiskies. Viscous, full-bodied mouth feel bursts into a fiery, tingly numbness. Dry. Honestly the agave is quite buried. The alcohol is not. The smoke and rubber dominate with the sweetness and pepper not far behind. Overdone with smoke. Coal tar finish. Unbalanced. $62USD/750mL. Lot: CHI-201
Delicate ball of smoke and fire. Nose: fresh rubber, solvents, pepper, champagne. Taste: Kerosene fuel and sugar. Briny, rock salt minerality is borderline offensive. Pungent. that briny coal tar taste you find in peated whiskies. Viscous, full-bodied mouth feel bursts into a fiery, tingly numbness. Dry. Honestly the agave is quite buried. The alcohol is not. The smoke and rubber dominate with the sweetness and pepper not far behind. Overdone with smoke. Coal tar finish. Unbalanced.
spasta
22 reviewsStrong, Smokey, solid performer. Another good introductory bottle with the right amount of punch but not too much complexity in my opinion. Enjoy.
MMalia
1 reviewJuicy.
edgy4sure
39 reviewsWell, I was pumped to try this with so many good reviews, and while it did not disappoint, it didn’t thrill me either. Seems a bit understated and mild, if you will. It was not bad in any way but I’m not sure I’d buy again at this price point. Seemed a great starter mezcal.
Zack Klamn
522 reviewsLot: CHI-192
Nose: Pleasant, smooth smoke. Citrusy fruit with slight ethanol – but good.
Palate: Same as the nose at first – pleasant, very smooth smoky taste. Love the fruity sweetness. Some chocolate espresso bean notes in there. Nice mint and cigar finish.
meserole
72 reviewsOthers have described this one well, so I won’t get too creative, but co-sign the notes of roasted pineapple, honey, mild smoke, and brioche. Fairly full bodied. Pleasant.
I bought this because I thought at $68, it might be worth sipping but not wasted in a cocktail, and I basically still agree with that notion, but for the price think there are some better offerings to be had with Derrumbes or Mezcal Vago.
HighWine
76 reviewsLot CHI-206
Having trouble picking up distinct aromas in this one. Cooked agave is too generic but it’s what I get. Roasty but not smoky on the nose. Sweet and boozy in the glass. Taste is caramel, booze, parsley, and mint. Medium-full body leaning toward full. Finish is hot, sweet, and leafy herbs. I find this simple but tasty.
Lasirenaahumada
9 reviewsFor the price, this is a tropical vacation in the mouth. Exotic fruits. Easy to sip by the beach. Not that smokie, but very refreshing.
Meady
53 reviewsLot 191
Can see this long being a staple in the collection. Best Espadin I’ve tried so far. Easy sipper. Complex with lots of flavours. Smells delicious (definite hint of BBQ in there and what smells better than that!?)
Light sweetness, citrus, earthiness, nice smoke and more flavours it’ll take some time to get to grips with. Should have picked this one up sooner.
Any recommendations for other Espadins which can compete I would welcome 🙂
t8ke
144 reviewsHoney, cereal, faint ash, sweet waffle cone. Light blueberry note. Faint frosting note. Sweet, lightly fruity, mildly ashy. Nice complexity.
Delightful and different. Lots of complexity here. Big fan. It’s commonly recommended for a reason.
dutchy
3 reviewsEarthy, complex and citrusy…Possibly too complex for me. Packaging is not my best.
Derekac7
19 reviewsAwesome! Citrus, bbq, smokey, hint of vanilla. A lot of heat for 46%, but the lack of smoothness is made up by its complexity.
El-Dawg
190 reviewsGreat espadin! Strong nose (some BBQ in there) with sweet & complex finish. Notes of citrus & light berries throughout as well as something else I’m not able to place yet. All around solid sipping mezcal, and worth the ~$80 price tag. One of my first descriptions of sipping this one still rings true each time: “It punches you, then gives you a kiss”.
Lot: CHI-183
BuffPhysics
11 reviewsNose: Complex wood smoke, citrus peels, and something hard to pin down that I associate with agave spirits in general. I suppose some sort of roasted agave? Hard to say.
Taste: Barbecued mint cream cheese frosting. Which sounds wild but is very pleasant in practice. Toothpaste and charred wood. Sweet and sour.
Finish: Smoked thin mints. Weird, but again pleasant.
Notes: A lot of these tasting notes don’t really sound like they would play nicely together, but somehow it works. This is remarkably complex spirit that’s a little different each time I come back to it, impressive stuff. Wish I had been into Mezcal back before Del Maguey got bought out by Pernod, but this is still excellent.
Nose: Complex wood smoke, citrus peels, and something hard to pin down that I associate with agave spirits in general. I suppose some sort of roasted agave? Hard to say.
Taste: Barbecued mint cream cheese frosting. Which sounds wild but is very pleasant in practice. Toothpaste and charred wood. Sweet and sour.
Finish: Smoked thin mints. Weird, but again pleasant.
Notes: A lot of these tasting notes don’t really sound like they would play nicely together, but somehow it works. This is remarkabl
CasaDeGuero
21 reviewsA bit thicker texture. Some rich mocha/coffee or chocolate notes in the after taste which is really nice. Tastes complex. Great.
Batch: CHI-199
El_Cura
31 reviewsChichicapa has to be the most reviewed mezcal on this site, and for a good reason. Del Maguey distributes it pretty much everywhere. Previous review from JJ was spot on. Indeed the Espadin benchmark.
JJHenderson
10 reviewsTHE benchmark of Oaxacan espadins. Never disappoints
DavidB
6 reviewsEarthy, fresh, grassy, clean…. I really enjoyed this mezcal