Don Mateo Alto is ripe with agave, pine, and citrus. Strong citrous fruit notes mingle with deep earthy tones through a long smokey finish.
About this mezcal
Don Mateo Alto is a pure product of Michoacan by maestro mezcalero Jose Emilio Vieyra Rangel. Keeping with his family’s tradition, this mezcal is made with spring water and uses only estate-grown agave Inaequidens. Slight variations in the stills and cooking methods make this a unique mezcal that is quite different from anything made in Oaxaca. The nose of this mezcal is ripe with agave, pine, and citrus with an herbaceous underbelly. The mouthfeel is big and coats the entire mouth. For taste, it has strong citrus fruit and deep earthy notes that mingle through a long smokey finish.
Don Mateo de la Sierra
Mezcal Don Mateo de la Sierra is run by maestro Emilio Vieyra. Don Mateo was Emilio’s grandfather. He migrated from Guanajuato to Michoacán in 1840, and began producing mezcal. Given that Don Emilio represents his family’s sixth generation of maestro vinatero, what better ambassador of the spirit of Michoacán. Coming from Michoacán gives their mezcals a very different character and taste from those made in Oaxaca or elsewhere in Mexico.
Learn more about Don Mateo de la Sierra in our blog post Emilio Vieyra and Mezcal Don Mateo de la Sierra
Or in the Family First Article on the K&L Wines Spirits Journal blog
Review this bottle
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Ranger_Ryan
47 reviewsHad a pour at a bar. It was ok, medicinal, lightly grilled vegetables. I don’t think I will search this out again.
Metl_heads
8 reviewsLight, green vegetables, herbal, medicinal
Roast: 4/10
JDB
182 reviewsLot #46 Bottle: 119/696 February 2020, 46% abv
Drank though this bottle pretty steadily after picking it up at Mission Liquor back in May, 2022. A really good inaequidens. This one is not as lactic as other Michoacán mezcales that I have tried, but it has great minerality, faint citrus, a bit of salinity, and a hint of cream cheese. Drying mouthfeel and a background heat. Flavors are pretty muted actually, but I did enjoy the subtlety of this expression. Browsing the other reviews, there is a bit of that pine or mint note (could be rosemary as well). And an ever so faint whiff of anise. 3.75/5 stars.
Lot #46 Bottle: 119/696 February 2020, 46% abv
Drank though this bottle pretty steadily after picking it up at Mission Liquor back in May, 2022. A really good inaequidens. This one is not as lactic as other Michoacán mezcales that I have tried, but it has great minerality, faint citrus, a bit of salinity, and a hint of cream cheese. Drying mouthfeel and a background heat. Flavors are pretty muted actually, but I did enjoy the subtlety of this expression. Browsing the other reviews, th
Dom
29 reviewsThe nose is light, however it really opens up on the palate. Notes of pine, citrus, light smoke, and leather.
Zack Klamn
542 reviewsLote: F-11
Nose – Key lime pie. The nose is invigorating – like chewing some peppermint breath mints with a mask on (hat tip to COVID protocols for that experience… whomp, whommmmmp).
Palate – Forest soil. Celery stalk (and some of the leafy bitterness). A hearty sweetness like oatmeal with sprinkled with brown sugar. Pine wood smokiness. Spicy finish (a heat that punches slightly above the 46% ABV) which carries on into the aftertaste.
t8ke
144 reviewsLight tobacco note, faint wood ash. Tons going on, great balance. Rich mouth feel, bit of sweetness. Proof feels really well placed, warm on the palate but just right.
Really complex, well done. Big fan of this expression, and its a really great companion to sit with for a while to take it all in.
TheAgaveFairy
169 reviewsMinty! Anise, there’s a smokiness with slate that I really enjoy – it adds a deep almost nutty quality. Fresh herbs, a little green plantain, green peppercorns. With more air, I’m noticing more poblano and other hotter peppers.
t’s lively and complex, with more cilantro showing now and touches of coriander. Smoke grows on the finish which is a little more spicy and with decent complexity. Wildflower honey is there in tiny amounts on the finish, like one might add to a mint tea. Lot 18.
Minty! Anise, there’s a smokiness with slate that I really enjoy – it adds a deep almost nutty quality. Fresh herbs, a little green plantain, green peppercorns. With more air, I’m noticing more poblano and other hotter peppers.
t’s lively and complex, with more cilantro showing now and touches of coriander. Smoke grows on the finish which is a little more spicy and with decent complexity. Wildflower honey is there in tiny amounts on the finish, like one might add to a mint tea. Lot 1
Mansson
71 reviewsLot 29, distilled December 2016. An excellent blend of marzipan-like sweetness and mixed dried herbs. A bit like the smell of a coniferous forest after the rain. A very interesting drink!
Rakhal
424 reviewsLot C-17. Strong anise, brown sugar, menthol, cut grass, mint, grapefruit pith.
Squashplayer
36 reviewsPine, mint , and earth. This unique mezcal is very enjoyable. I agree that it would be a good choice to start the night with. This is one of the best I have tasted coming out of Michoacán. Lot 18 from Nov 2015
Hörky Båmf
20 reviewsLot #18 Nov 2015, 46% ABV. Fairly subdued nose of menthol and ripe fruit. Clean flavor of sweet roasted agave, a little bit of mint and pine tar. I’m not picking up the citrus that others mention. Nice lingering finish with just the right amount of ethanol bite. Newly opened bottle was sharper and finished with more burn. Now that it’s about half gone it’s developed into something rounder and more nuanced. Very enjoyable.
razorbackmike
161 reviewsexcellent.pine and citrus with hint of smoke.very distinct and unique.subtle and light.great as an evening opener.i think this would be great for hot summer evenings!
Tyler
661 reviewsPine and mint are at the forefront here along with some nice notes of dry apple cider, vinegar, pepper, and citrus. Hot finish. Delicious and unique mezcal.
Jonny
717 reviewsLot 18 from November 2015. Piney and herbaceous on the nose with tasting notes of more pine, lavender, vanilla, and fresh rosemary. I get a lot of grapefruit aromas and ruby red flavors. This Mezcal is like no other. It’s easy to drink and has some distinct flavoring that I haven’t found in other Mezcal. It’s fanciful, complex, and delightful.