Del Maguey Tobala is made with maguey Tobala and has a sweet, fruity nose, with a mango and cinnamon taste and extra smooth finish.
About this mezcal
Del Maguey Tobala has a sweet, fruity nose, with a mango and cinnamon taste and long, extra smooth finish. The town where this is produced is surrounded by a mountainous, tropical micro-climate.
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.
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Zack Klamn
393 reviewsNose – Papaya. Cinnamon.
Palate – Dried tropical fruit. Sharp flavor. A nice mezcal although some ethanol burn on the back end knocked it down a peg.
jmehrk35
15 reviewsLOT: TOB 161. 45% ABV
(Inkjet stamp on bottle is illegible)
Warm and drying initial nasal impact. The aroma opens with ripe mango and heavy cinnamon. A definite nice smoked lactic cheesy funk hits as well, really nice. Honeysuckle rounds out the nose. So far I’m all in. I definitely notice lots of boxes mentally being checked off on the aroma of this tobala. Definitely coating with some astringency (nice heat on the tongue) as the first impression on the mouth feel. A nice balance of sweet and sour, with a generous alcohol impact. There is a drying smoothness on the tongue. Ripe mango, cinnamon, honey and cooked agave lead the flavor profile. Some ripe banana, olive brine and some spearmint appear with some minerality sharpness. Crisp (not oily) fried green tomatoes, especially on the retro nasal. This is a complex tobala, as it keeps developing the more you sip it. There is a certain “sambuca component” that shows some ankle on the back end. Some of your neighbors fire pit provides a touch of smoke. The flavor keeps evolving on the finish while the heat dissepates off the tongue (although it never disappears). A nice long finish. A really good tobala
LOT: TOB 161. 45% ABV
(Inkjet stamp on bottle is illegible)
Warm and drying initial nasal impact. The aroma opens with ripe mango and heavy cinnamon. A definite nice smoked lactic cheesy funk hits as well, really nice. Honeysuckle rounds out the nose. So far I’m all in. I definitely notice lots of boxes mentally being checked off on the aroma of this tobala. Definitely coating with some astringency (nice heat on the tongue) as the first impression on the mouth feel. A nice balance of sweet
Lasirenaahumada
9 reviewsI took a break from Mezcal for a few months. And today I just had this amazing Tobala. I’m transported to a simpler life that tastes musky, sweet, cinnamonie, and seductive. Drinking in the traditional neat way. Lovely…
meserole
72 reviewsLove seeing how variable the reviews are — I should’ve taken note of the bottle and lot info. Found a pour of this at an unassuming taco shop in Brooklyn that had a surprising array of mezcal bottles that I saw from the street.
Wet stone, clay, rocks, banana, vanilla. I would absolutely by a bottle of this. One of the best offerings from Del Maguey that I’ve sampled.
aarild
85 reviewsTob-181, first sip from the bottle.
Immediately exposing a stronger nose than expected, it smells of ephemeral fruit, varnish and antique bookshop. It is only my second tobalà, but there is an immediately recognisable feature that it opens with a mineral, tart mouthfeel, followed by a distinct fruit and then a spicy finish. The three stages are less distinct and crisp than my previous attempt at this variety I must admit, but there is a clearly similar structure to the drinking experience. The minerality is prevalent and remains throughout, which is a bit strange since this is mescal is made in copper stills whereas my previous tobalà was clay. A briney transition brings out plums and for a second I could swear I was drinking a supreme Polish quince nalewka. Nicely integrated smoke, not a lot of it. A bit of blue cheese umami before a dry, smoky and spicy aftertaste. It feels as one of those bottles that mellows a bit over time. I really look forward to pick it up in a few months’ time regardless.
Tob-181, first sip from the bottle.
Immediately exposing a stronger nose than expected, it smells of ephemeral fruit, varnish and antique bookshop. It is only my second tobalà, but there is an immediately recognisable feature that it opens with a mineral, tart mouthfeel, followed by a distinct fruit and then a spicy finish. The three stages are less distinct and crisp than my previous attempt at this variety I must admit, but there is a clearly similar structure to the drinking experience. The
Samhain
9 reviewsThere is something sweet on the nose but I mostly pick up that blue cheese funk, not overpowering but prominent, some leather hiding in there. Taste is really similar rich, sweet, funky, the ashy char comes in late and finishes a little plasticy. Very interesting, in no way similar to the lesser priced tobalas I’ve had. At the price it will be a while to bring another home. Lot looks like tob-181, 2018 copyright
Joe
27 reviewsNear the end of the bottle. Tried at Mayahuel. Light, mild flavor. Remarkably sweet, with an almost honey-like earthiness, maybe peach. Mild tanginess. Really tasty, easy drinking. Working on it a little more, the clay taste is more distinct, with a vaguely rubbery taste, but not in a gross way. Maybe more like the flavor of gum after the real flavor is chewed out.
Mansson
71 reviewsLot TOB-131, presumably distilled in 2013. Smells like pine. Flavour-wise it’s very balanced but, for my taste, it’s too soft and dull. There is a bit of agave sweetness, some fruity/sour notes and a whiff of wood and smoke, but nothing really stands out. A good mezcal, but I had hoped for something more interesting.
t8ke
144 reviewsSweet, earthy. Rubber, fresh baked dough, sweet and savory vinegar. Light earth, not too chemical forward. Bit of agave stank/funk. The complexity is astounding.
Firesidesipper
32 reviewsThis is my favorite Mezcal to date. Wonderfully ripe and smooth. Tropical fruits and spice on the nose with decadent mango and grilled pineapple on the palate. Wet earth/clay on a lingering finish. I love this. Can’t wait to try the El Jolgorio Tobala and compare the two.
TheAuditor
38 reviewsNose: Red Berries, Mango, Earthy and minerals, vanilla, Brine, baking spice.
Palate: Medium mouthfeel, red berries, earth, minerals, mangos, slight smoke, baking spice.
Finish: Medium length, smoke, earth, berries, brine, vanilla.
This is a tasty, fruity, powerful mezcal, the nose on this is the best part, but the flavor and finish hold it up as well. This is one of the tastiest 90 proof spirits I have ever had.
NickSanford
23 reviewsI didn’t find to much flavor in this Tobala. It was good, but it had just a little bit of the Floral flavors that were hitting and a pretty earthy smokiness to it. Gave it 3 Stars due to the high price attached to it. Tobala is one of my favorite agaves so I hold a pretty high standard for any Tobala.
SpencerS
13 reviewsLot TOB – 16
A Mezcal I enjoy more and more with each sipping. Rogelio Martinez Cruz’s signature “dry fermenting” gives this mezcal a unique funk that is unlike any other tobala’s I’ve tried.
Nose: sweet burnt sugar with a beautiful blue cheese undertone that keeps it from veering on too sweet. As I smell the mezcal I picture mold growing on the roasted agave before fermentation, contributing the mango & banana fruitiness underneath. Not necessarily one I would describe as “clean” but rather a nose to get lost in the complexity of.
palate: overripe fruit and roasted agave. Also a fair amount of toasted almonds and leather compliment the distinct funky sweetness.
Finish: This is where most of the “smoke” lies. Long, woody, somewhat ashy but overall smooth and easy to drink too much of.
All in all, this one of my favorite mezcals and always the one I’m most inclined to pour from my collection of bottles. Also, one of the more expensive mezcals I (currently) own but worth the price. While similar, I prefer this to the Cruz’s Tepextate. There’s still much to uncover from this amazing spirit.
Lot TOB – 16
A Mezcal I enjoy more and more with each sipping. Rogelio Martinez Cruz’s signature “dry fermenting” gives this mezcal a unique funk that is unlike any other tobala’s I’ve tried.
Nose: sweet burnt sugar with a beautiful blue cheese undertone that keeps it from veering on too sweet. As I smell the mezcal I picture mold growing on the roasted agave before fermentation, contributing the mango & banana fruitiness underneath. Not necessarily one
Tyler
547 reviewsDelightful charred peached notes. Key lime pie. Have had a few batches and usually find it very enjoyable. This was batch 14-1 at Terlingua in Portland, Maine.
Nick
25 reviewsThe tropical tastes aplenty with this tobala – pineapple, mango and even a hint of burnt papaya at first taste. Fresh green scent and a slightly green taste behind the fruits. Feels good in the mouth with a little burn (45%) but then it sits nicely on the tongue before the reward of the back palette – a rich liqueur sensation followed by an agave stickiness and maybe a touch of mint that has you looking for more. TOB- 161.
Wanderingspider
47 reviewsLot: TOB-161
Dried pineapple and mango on the nose. On the palate, light smoked poblano with a subtle mineral finish. Definitely a good sip.
Rakhal
321 reviewsLot Tob-171. Sweet, woody, and herbal. Sawdust, banana, big league chew bubblegum, spearmint candy.
LittleArm
26 reviewsTOB-161
3.5 stars. But closer to 4 than 3. It’s good. Very smooth, easy drinker which is not surprising considering the fairly low ABV of 45%. Very disappointed that the strong fruity notes from previous reviews were basically nonexistent. Very smoky on the nose with no real heat to it. Like a camp fire the morning after. Strong minerality with a hint of citrus and a super clean finish. Definitely enjoyed it but wouldn’t pay a premium for it
GreenspointTexas
337 reviewsOne of my favorite mezcals. The standard to which I judge all other Tobala’s. Also, my favorite from DM
Mateospirit
8 reviewsYet another unique personality from Del maguey. Strong Funky cheese opening. It’s like smoke, banana leaves, soft hickory, and burnt rubber mixed together. It is smooth on the finish. I get a leather that reminds me of and old dirty worn horse saddle. I get a strong burnt rubber taste That develops. The smoke is earthy and reminds me of a bonfire that has been burning for days. It has a sour bitterness on the finish. For me this is a great experience but not worth the extra price tag. I personally would rather stick with my favorite Chicicapa❤️
Yet another unique personality from Del maguey. Strong Funky cheese opening. It’s like smoke, banana leaves, soft hickory, and burnt rubber mixed together. It is smooth on the finish. I get a leather that reminds me of and old dirty worn horse saddle. I get a strong burnt rubber taste That develops. The smoke is earthy and reminds me of a bonfire that has been burning for days. It has a sour bitterness on the finish. For me this is a great experience but not worth the extra price tag. I person
TheAgaveFairy
166 reviewsCopyright extends to 2015. TOP-151.
Oh, gosh. What an amazing dram! Full of all kinda of delicious fruit like mangoes and plums, white and yellow and purple flowers and vanilla, lightly caramelized sweetness, complex ashy smoke and intense minerality from such an amazing maguey. Some fun notes hiding of things like pineapple and pork, soy sauce, tumeric. The finish is possibly the best I’ve had of any spirit – it’s counted in minutes of oak smoke and agave lingering.
Copyright extends to 2015. TOP-151.
Oh, gosh. What an amazing dram! Full of all kinda of delicious fruit like mangoes and plums, white and yellow and purple flowers and vanilla, lightly caramelized sweetness, complex ashy smoke and intense minerality from such an amazing maguey. Some fun notes hiding of things like pineapple and pork, soy sauce, tumeric. The finish is possibly the best I’ve had of any spirit – it’s counted in minutes of oak smoke and agave lingering.
Chris
40 reviewsHad this last night with the Jolgorio Tobala, which was the superior, albeit more expensive, juice. Less full-bodied and a bit more metallic. By itself or with some Espadins, maybe it stands out more and is four star, but not against the Jolgorio. I have the the Del Maguey Chicicapa and Santo Domingo Albarradas Espadins, so I’ll have to try the Del Maguey Tobala against them to see if it really shines and justifies double their price.
PhilBrunski
25 reviewsRich! Blue cheese funk on the nose that translates to the palate along with mango and some pretty strong cinnamon bite. Its really good but the only drawback is a sometimes bitter soapy finish that can take away from the other flavors. Solid Tobala overall.
Jonny
548 reviewsLot TOB-114 from 2011. Found this old wax-top bottle randomly online and purchased it for cheaper than what a brand new DM Tobala would cost. Great deal! It has a good amount of cinnamon on the nose with hints of something slightly sour. It smells like it was distilled in clay pots. The taste and mouthfeel also are reminiscent of clay. Tasting notes are well balanced: not too sweet, not too sour. I get a bit of ripe banana and fresh mango. I’d like to try some other lots of this Tobala, but this older one is incredibly rich and savory.
Lot TOB-114 from 2011. Found this old wax-top bottle randomly online and purchased it for cheaper than what a brand new DM Tobala would cost. Great deal! It has a good amount of cinnamon on the nose with hints of something slightly sour. It smells like it was distilled in clay pots. The taste and mouthfeel also are reminiscent of clay. Tasting notes are well balanced: not too sweet, not too sour. I get a bit of ripe banana and fresh mango. I’d like to try some other lots of this Tobala, bu