Derrumbes Tamaulipas

47% abv, Lot #10, Bottle 915/1150 May, 2021

Interesting, a 700 ml bottle. Did not notice before. Nose has some interesting floral notes, but also bubblegum, rubber sap, and yard waste bin (wood chips, bit of eucalyptus, dandelions pulled up by the root). Really strong flavors on this one: big league chew, peach pit, nopal cactus, pencil eraser, tobacco/cigar, and ashtray. Crazy how much this has going on. I think the ensemble is very interesting and unique. Not a lot of heat on this one for the abv, but some lingering finish. My tasting notes do vary from others, not as much funk on mine (but maybe something in my yard waste bin could be decomposing), I can see the leather notes (tobacco), maybe a hint of that orange/orange peel, and other green vegetables may have a say here too (okra and kale). My best guess is that the mezcalero may vary the blend so it could change the profile of each batch significantly. Definitely worth tasting if you see it at a bar, and the bottle is in the $70-80 range too.

200ml
LOTE A8
BOTELLA 120T
FECHA 11-19
47% ABV
Funkiana, Univittata, Americana
Drying initial nasal impact.
Sharp lactic funk, vegetal, brine, dill pickle on the aroma.
Oily and drying initial mouthfeel with generous alcohol.
The lactic note carries over in the flavor, along with bok choy drizzled with soy sauce, dried clementine and dill pickle. Clementine sweetness hits the sides of the tongue. Herbal, vegetal, bok choy and soy sauce are really lingering on the retro nasal. Great depth of flavor, rich and earthy.
A long peppery, umami finish with some oak smoked meat bark batting clean up. Damn, I like this unique mezcal from Tampaulipas. Derrumbes nails it again.

Lote: 6 Botella: 428/720 Fecha: 04/19 ABV: 48%
Nose – Insane funky nose – I’m getting Kraft Dinner absolutely loaded with bleu cheese. A big kimchi note as well.

Palate – Great mouthfeel and the there was a second or so delay until the flavors hit. Flamed orange peel. The predominant note is a very toasted (almost burnt) extra aged/sharp white cheddar on toast – left in the salamander a bit too long. Pickled carrot/garlic. Cooked green pepper. Roasted green peas. A sambal oelek note but not near as spicy. Elevated smoke in the finish as well as beaucoup sea salt. I’m usually a fan of funky mezcales but this one doesn’t do the trick. Just OK.

Orange flowers, some incense I am unable to further describe, subdued smoke and bitter orange peels. Most interesting nose.

A bit pepper, quite smooth and good mouthfeel. Overripe cantaloupe, flamed orange peel. Dark chocolate, and a hint of herbs that makes me think about unmalted barley in Irish single pot still whiskey. Actually, I get flavours as if I quaff a Redbreast 15 whilst eating dark orange chocolate. It’s only the slightly abrupt finish that stops this from being a full score.

Lot 3, October 2017, bottle says amole and americana, presumably agave vilmoriniana if “amole” does not refer to something entirely different in Tamaulipas than elsewhere (which could of course be the case).

Nose: Oh my, that’s characterful and gorgeous. There’s vegetable sweetness, with echoes of baked soft cheeses, nut butters, maple wood, and apricot jam. Such an array of flavors all tied together so well. There’s almost some notes of sorghum in a manner that make me think of a very friendly baijiu; green peas, dried mushroom.

Palate: Good entry, swells beautifully into complex agave notes that slowly fade with traces of oak smoke, black pepper, and that kinda baked mozarella thing. The finish seems almost a bit hot as well. Not as much umami here as the nose.

Thoughts: This is the magic of Derrumbes. Flavor combinations that we struggle to convey, in balances that grasp us and demand attention. Gorgeous, invigorating spirit.

Conclusion: 7/10. Stunning, truly. A must-try!

Lote 2, 46.15%
Blend of A. montana, A. funkiana, A. univittata, A. americana

Nose: Grappa-like: licorice, grape must, green stems, dill pickle, acetone.

Palate: More grape must, joined by kale, daikon, sweet peppers, kimchi, a bit of mango and other tropical fruit I can’t place. Medium body.

Finish: Muted at first, with more grape skins, tarragon, and carrot. Develops into roasted poblano, milk chocolate, cooked agave and light smoke. Medium-long length.

To me, this is the most unusual profile of the Derrumbes lineup, it reminds me of a well-made grappa.

New batch bottle I believe featuring Amole & Americana agaves. If someone could clarify?
Lote: 3 Bottle: 83/650 Date: 10/17
48%

Initial nose of burnt orange rind, cotton candy and a perfumey agave mulch.
The expected sweetness was there with an angustora like bitterness and oranges clinging to the top of the mouth. It also finishes sweetly wth the orange which is very much welcomed with an oily candy necklace lining(you know the sweets). Long lasting and satisfying. Top!
4.5**

My final bottle of the current Durrumbes range, though I’d like to try other batches.

this is an excellent mezcal!it is very strong but not harsh.at 52 %,a little goes a long way.this was my first experience with agave funkiana and univittata.it is very delicious and very compact.the first impression is sweet with some tart fruit notes.mid way opens up to savory salty mucho agave.the real suprise was a flavor of cheese on the finish.it all ties together in a beautiful unique way.it is bursting with bold flavor.be careful with this one because it will go straight to the brain!i would give this one 4 and a half stars!