El Destilado Tobaziche from Berta Vasquez showcases the artistic style of one of Oaxaca's premier female mezcal producers.
About this destilado de agave
El Destilado Tobaziche from Berta Vasquez is produced at Berta’s palenque in San Baltazar Chichicapam, Oaxaca. This maguey Tobaziche (Agave karwinskii) took 12-15 years to reach maturity. Berta is well-known in Oaxaca and her work with the maguey Tobaziche is not as commonly seen as with other types of maguey.
El Destilado
While some of the El Destilado brand’s agave distillates are sourced from some of the same producers as the 5 Sentidos brand, the El Destilado spirits brand is otherwise not directly related to the El Destilado restaurant in Oaxaca City. The brand was founded by Michael Sager and Marcis Dzelzainis, who own the Sager + Wilde Restaurant and Wine Bar in London.
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aarild
152 reviewsDistilled in April 2019
Very interesting. Smells of peanut skins — not shells but the brown skin — and wet wool. A bit of ash too, just after the first rain touches it, and cottonsedge.
Tastes of fresh coconut with a bit of the brown skin on it. Also a bit pink pepper and papaya, leather, macadamia. Distinct character. I am not that experienced with tobaziche, but based also on other reviews I would say it is quite typical for the maguey, with agave fruitiness playing only second fiddle.
The aftertaste is pleasant, with fading peanut butter cup, finishing with a vague connotation of incense. All in all a bit subdued or should I say subtle? This is not a mezcal to taste in a noisy bar after a few drinks. But give it a bit of calm and you will be rewarded. I was struck by how the taste came forward a few days after opening the bottle, like it was a bit shy for the first hours exposed to oxygen.
Edit: It keeps growing on me, this bottle, so I give it a top score of five. After getting some more experience with tobaziche I think this is the most characterful of them all. While some clay pot ones are incredible and smooth, this is kind of the Ardbeg of mezcals: Rough but an incredible bunch of flavours in a unique combination waiting to be discovered. Just ordered more…
Distilled in April 2019
Very interesting. Smells of peanut skins — not shells but the brown skin — and wet wool. A bit of ash too, just after the first rain touches it, and cottonsedge.
Tastes of fresh coconut with a bit of the brown skin on it. Also a bit pink pepper and papaya, leather, macadamia. Distinct character. I am not that experienced with tobaziche, but based also on other reviews I would say it is quite typical for the maguey, with agave fruitiness playing only second fiddle.
Meady
53 reviewsSubdued but pleasant enough nose, light fruit, slightly floral. Very light on the palate, agave sweetness dominates, touch of mineral. Slides down easy. Not a bad mezcal but lacks depth for me.