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El Jolgorio Sierrudo

El Jolgorio Sierrudo is a special release from El Jolgorio, using the massive and seldom-used maguey Sierrudo (Agave Americana).

Rating: (6 reviews)
Cost:$$$$
Brand:El Jolgorio Mezcal
NOM:NOM-O98X
Mezcalero:Jose Cortez Santiago
Maguey:Sierrudo
Agave:Americana
Distillation:Copper
Style:Joven
State:Oaxaca
Town:Santiago Matatlán
ABV: 50.3%
Age of plant: 13-15 years
Release year: 2019
Website: https://backbarproject.com/portfolio/casa-cortes/, opens in new window

About this mezcal

El Jolgorio Sierrudo is made with wild maguey Sierrudo (Agave Americana) by José Cortés in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca. As of 2019, Don José Cortés was the oldest living member of the Cortés family and the inspiration for the entire El Jolgorio range. He is mostly retired from making mezcal, but will produce a special batch occasionally. The maguey Sierrudo is seldom used in Mezcal. It’s closely related to maguey Arroqueno, Sierra Negra, and Coyote. This agave is enormous. It generally takes 13-15 years to mature in this region and can grow up to 1,000 pounds in weight. Sierrudo has a high concentration of sugars, meaning a single agave can yield around 20-25 bottles of mezcal. The agaves for the introductory release (ed. 1) were cultivated in a wild environment (i.e. semi-cultivated) in Agua del Guaje, San Pedro Lachigoba, San Carlos Yautepec. The first batch (ed. 1) imported into the US was just 180 bottles.

El Jolgorio Mezcal

El Jolgorio translates to “the revelry”. Jolgorios are small festivals that occur in remote, mountain villages throughout Oaxaca, Mexico. They celebrate births, deaths, weddings and Saint’s days. For centuries, the lifeblood of these celebrations has been traditional mezcal. In 2010, the Cortés family began building a collective of top mezcal distillers from around Oaxaca. As of 2019, El Jolgorio represents sixteen different families, working in ten different regions of Oaxaca, Mexico, each with its own special story. Every bottle is hand-marked with the specific details of each batch, to truly connect the drinker with the family behind the expression.

In 2017, the team behind the brand realized that certain varieties of agave would be extremely limited and they would only be able to make them available once per year (if at all). They began packaging these rare editions in black bottles to set them apart from the other releases.

The artwork on the first 8 releases was created by Alejandro Peña (Espadin, Pechuga, Tobala, Cuixe, Madrecuixe, Tepeztate, Barril and Mexicano). The next 5 labels were created by Asis Cortes (Arroqueno, Jabalin, Coyote, Tobaxiche, and Cenizo) and the Sierrudo artwork was created by Alberto Almánza.

Member rating

3.67 out of 5

6 reviews

meserole

meserole

73 reviews
Rated 3 out of 5 stars4 months ago

I’m not sure why this should be the case, but there is a oily/viscous/slightly gamey or chicken broth flavor common to *all* El Jolgorio expressions I’ve tried — it’s an exciting undertone. But in the case of this Sierrudo, it’s the *only* interesting element as the initial flavor is quickly overcome with bitter acetone flavors and an uninvigorating, pungent heat that I associated with cheap mezcals — yes, cheap, not just *cheaper* ones than this $200+ bottle. I don’t think this batch deserved the designation of prestige that the black bottle was meant to grant. I love having unique opinions so it gives me no great pleasure to have to concur with the earliest reviews here.

I’m not sure why this should be the case, but there is a oily/viscous/slightly gamey or chicken broth flavor common to *all* El Jolgorio expressions I’ve tried — it’s an exciting undertone. But in the case of this Sierrudo, it’s the *only* interesting element as the initial flavor is quickly overcome with bitter acetone flavors and an uninvigorating, pungent heat that I associated with cheap mezcals — yes, cheap, not just *cheaper* ones than this $200+ bottle.

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The_Mezcalman

The_Mezcalman

6 reviews
Rated 5 out of 5 stars3 years ago

This Black Bottle is especially exquisite because it is Jose Cortes gift to the world. His last production of Mezcal and given the rarity of this specific Maguey its no wonder the price is over $200. The notes are complex as it will evolve in your mouth as you sip and enjoy. The luscious forest fauna and spiced notes of dried fruit are the initial taste profile. Suddenly the numbing of your mouth gives way to more intricate wild black oaxacan honey, white peach, and fresh river water. The finish is lasting with a fervor that sits on the outer edges of your mouth.

This Black Bottle is especially exquisite because it is Jose Cortes gift to the world. His last production of Mezcal and given the rarity of this specific Maguey its no wonder the price is over $200. The notes are complex as it will evolve in your mouth as you sip and enjoy. The luscious forest fauna and spiced notes of dried fruit are the initial taste profile. Suddenly the numbing of your mouth gives way to more intricate wild black oaxacan honey, white peach, and fresh river water. The finish

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TheAgaveFairy

TheAgaveFairy

169 reviews
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars3 years ago

Tasted blind. Sharp, aromatic, spicy. Higher proof karwinskii vibes? Grassiness in spades, some pool toy, gentle nice smoke, more grass, green mango. Aromatic as hell. Some dulche de leche hidiing in there, along with cilantro, flamed orange oils, and fresh veggies.

Lime peel for days. Main palate is just a really nice, vibrant agave character that’s super full and aromatic. Floral main body, fading into sotol notes and some tomatillo.

GreenspointTexas

GreenspointTexas

385 reviews
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars4 years ago

Bottle 28/400. Was expecting much more mediocrity based on prior reviews, but actually really digging this bottle. Doesnt punch you in the face with smoke, heat, or cooked agave, but pleasant enough to take you on a short ride. Only thing keeping this from being 5 stars is the short finish. Very very well done

Jonny

Jonny

700 reviews
Rated 3 out of 5 stars4 years ago

Edition 01. Bottle 67/400. Aromas of chocolate, nibs, light perfume. Tastes of peanut brittle, dried plantains, dark cherries. This good, not great. Very thin and not super complex. I like it alright but there are mezcals at 1/4 the price that I enjoy just as much.

Tyler

Tyler

636 reviews
Rated 3 out of 5 stars4 years ago

Underwhelming when you consider the high retail price of $200/bottle. Aromas of cinnamon and peat. There are some notes of spiced black cherries and smoke. Tart finish. Edition 01 from 2018. Bottle 67/400.

Sipping this again in January 2022. The tart finish has faded. There is more of a Cinnabon vibe now. Still not loving it nor the price tag. Not very complex or subtle. This is an example of black bottle envy gone wrong.

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