El Jolgorio Tobaziche is a somewhat rare release that carries deep notes of winter pine, fresh green bananas, and lime peel.
About this mezcal
El Jolgorio Tobaziche is made with maguey Tobaziche, which is a member of the agave Karwinskii family. This agave takes about 14 years to mature before it is ready for harvest. Master Mezcalero Pedro Vasquez is widely known for the incredible mezcal he creates, and this mezcal is no exception. It carries deep notes of pine, green bananas, lime peel, and a hint of tar that mixes with clean smoke. This mezcal is somewhat rare. If you see it, try it.
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.
Review this bottle
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Imperium
99 reviewsNose: Green karwinskii goodness, smoked pine, peppers
Palate: Cucumber, smoked peppers, pine sap, banana. very juicy and peppery at the same time.
Ben P
110 reviewsEdition 13
Nose: Tons of green wood, mint, sage, basil, rosemary, a farmers market full of herbs, some citrus mostly lime, the fruit starts popping a bit after some time but it’s subtle, yuzu, green tea, spiced melon, I could smell this thing forever
Palate & Finish: Oh wow, this is fun. It’s peppery, it’s got tons of potpourri spices like clove ginger and cinnamon, then chili covered mangoes, honey, a honeydew melon element underneath, milk chocolate, much less wood on this than the nose would lead me to think, a little pine but more fruit and spice. Finish is chocolate, espresso, spicy pepper, Mexican hot chocolate, cocoa trails off
Thoughts: Wow, this really nice. Just so much going on and so well put together. It progressively just gets better and better. Love this stuff.
Edition 13
Nose: Tons of green wood, mint, sage, basil, rosemary, a farmers market full of herbs, some citrus mostly lime, the fruit starts popping a bit after some time but it’s subtle, yuzu, green tea, spiced melon, I could smell this thing forever
Palate & Finish: Oh wow, this is fun. It’s peppery, it’s got tons of potpourri spices like clove ginger and cinnamon, then chili covered mangoes, honey, a honeydew melon element underneath, milk chocolate, much less wood on thi
schan_ban
3 reviewsEdition 08, Harvest 2017, Bottle #295/360
Quite a unique experience from start to finish. Aroma immediately hits you with the sweetness and fruitiness that’s packed inside this bottle. Initial palette is wild, super sweet, tons of fruit, citrus, slightly vegetative, and hints of honey. The sweetness and fruit dominate this mezcal and the finish had hardly (if any) smoke to it. Barely any heat that wasn’t really noticeable, very smooth experience. Almost like a desert mezcal that’s how sweet it was and for me couldn’t have multiple drinks of it in a row. Definitely unlike any other mezcal I’ve tried but might need to have it a few more times before landing on a final verdict.
Edition 08, Harvest 2017, Bottle #295/360
Quite a unique experience from start to finish. Aroma immediately hits you with the sweetness and fruitiness that’s packed inside this bottle. Initial palette is wild, super sweet, tons of fruit, citrus, slightly vegetative, and hints of honey. The sweetness and fruit dominate this mezcal and the finish had hardly (if any) smoke to it. Barely any heat that wasn’t really noticeable, very smooth experience. Almost like a desert mezcal that̵
CasaDeGuero
21 reviews2017 Harvest.
Quite unique and distinct flavor that moves a bit throughout. Lacks a traditional smoke in the after taste that i enjoy. Definitely earthy and vegetal like others have said. Definitely not my favorite, but has its purpose.
Jori
52 reviewsMy first impression: ‘3.75 Drank at a little bar in Oaxaca’
Drank it again in the same bar. Mezcalerita in Oaxaca.
Love myself an earthy, complex Karwinskii, picked up notes of Hawaiian Punch? Bakers chocolate and an over burnt Crème Brûlée.
Paired it with the best chapulines and guacamole I’ve had to this day
At least 4.25.
Now me and past me agreed to disagree. Settle for 4.
Americana Kyle
60 reviewsI liked this expression of Toba very much, would like to buy a bottle.
Zack Klamn
542 reviewsNose – Wet forest – a combo of moss and pine.
Palate – Heavy black licorice, semi sambuca initially then dissipates. Great complexity and tough to nail down. Pleasant heat. Very dry finish but the flavor goes on for days – an interesting smoky cherry ice cream note. A little bit underwhelming for the price point.
COak
229 reviewsEdition 7, 2016, 166/750. I love Pedro Vazquez black bottles, hard to go wrong. Really rich mezcal with a long enjoyable finish. Strong flavors of cherries and limes with earthiness.
bardle
4 reviewsEdition 08; Harvest 2017; Pedro Vasquez.
Nose: Powerful, a mixture of floral and fruits with a touch of earth and spice, really pleasant and nice. No hint of alcohol.
Palette: Sweetness and citrus to start then some spice and earthiness round it out. Very well balanced and punchy.
Finish: Long; Powerful damp earth takes over, not much smoke at all here. Citrus and honeysuckle notes come back at the end and linger.
Really Really wonderful. My first black bottle and I do not regret the purchase at all. absolutely worth it if you can find one.
Edition 08; Harvest 2017; Pedro Vasquez.
Nose: Powerful, a mixture of floral and fruits with a touch of earth and spice, really pleasant and nice. No hint of alcohol.
Palette: Sweetness and citrus to start then some spice and earthiness round it out. Very well balanced and punchy.
Finish: Long; Powerful damp earth takes over, not much smoke at all here. Citrus and honeysuckle notes come back at the end and linger.
Really Really wonderful. My first black bottle and I do not regret the purcha
meserole
73 reviewsIncredible nose – floral fruit bouquet. Then, a surprisingly musty and dusty flavor on the tongue, and hotter than you’d think. It is similar to their black bottle karwinskii (“Cenizo”), but I think I prefer that one. I might have rated it higher if not for the knowledge that these bottles cost $200+ in the US, and I just don’t think that price premium is worthwhile compared to El Jolgorio’s perfectly delicious normal range.
Edition 07-2016. Bottle 489/750. Tried at Mezcalogia in Oaxaca City.
Incredible nose – floral fruit bouquet. Then, a surprisingly musty and dusty flavor on the tongue, and hotter than you’d think. It is similar to their black bottle karwinskii (“Cenizo”), but I think I prefer that one. I might have rated it higher if not for the knowledge that these bottles cost $200+ in the US, and I just don’t think that price premium is worthwhile compared to El Jolgorio’s perfectly delicious normal range.
Edition 07-2016. Bottle 489/750.
Nic Hnastchenko
108 reviewsBlack bottle. Always a treat, but I need to revisit this one. 48% Edition 05
Rakhal
421 reviewsEdition 6, 2017, Black bottle. Pablo Vasquez in Ejutla NOT Pedro Vasquez. Is Pablo related to Pedro?? I did a double take on the Mezcalero name here because I am used to seeing Pedro Vasquez. Anyways, this one is nice and tropical with notes of caramelized pineapple, tamarind, and plumeria flower.
stigibeu
33 reviewsEdition 1, 2014 harvest (clear bottle)
N: hay, weird peanut butter whiff (not in a bad way, just unexpected), nail polish fading to soft pine, very faint melon perhaps with chocolate banana accents
P: mossy pine, verdant, slight green pepper, smooth, saturated back end
F: pinecone crackle and detectable, pleasant heat
S: really enjoyable and my first el jolgorio offering. Won’t be my last. 8.87/10
Squashplayer
36 reviewsEdition 5/2017/350 bottles/48%ABV.
Just like previous editions of this mezcal, it is very grassy on the nose with hints of lime. Wet pine needles also comes through. A little hotter on the finish than I would have expected for 48%. Very enjoyable overall
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsWhoah nelly! Balanced, tip toeing the line between sharp and sweet. Slight citrus, tons of earthiness… wonderful
TheAgaveFairy
169 reviewsBlack bottle (silvestre), ed. 4, harvest 2016 from Pedro Vasquez. Batch: PVOTZ201317EJ.
I’m sure I’ll come back to refine these notes – intense smell of the inside of a cave – wet gravel, must. Acorn squash, summer squash, pine needles and juniper indeed. An intense green heat but well balanced. On the palette, agave sweetness swells to an amazing body that’s much more approachable and enjoyable than the esoteric nose might imply. Entirely unique, engaging, drinkable – everything I look for in a spirit.
Black bottle (silvestre), ed. 4, harvest 2016 from Pedro Vasquez. Batch: PVOTZ201317EJ.
I’m sure I’ll come back to refine these notes – intense smell of the inside of a cave – wet gravel, must. Acorn squash, summer squash, pine needles and juniper indeed. An intense green heat but well balanced. On the palette, agave sweetness swells to an amazing body that’s much more approachable and enjoyable than the esoteric nose might imply. Entirely unique, engaging, drinkabl
LosMuertos
33 reviewsVery enjoyable though a bit pricey.
It smells of Christmas trees and pine cones, vanilla, tar, banana soap and cookies. Dark chocolate on the palate. Great personality/character.
Scent: 4/5
Mouthfeel: 3/5
Chris
40 reviewsThis was series 02 2014 bottle 363/640 by Pedro Vasquez. Small production and quite expensive. Definitely grassy nose. Very hot on the mouth and a similarly hot finish. The flavors are there, but to keep within the Karwinskii family and the brand, I followed this up with the Jolgorio Barril 04 2014 1338/1640 by Ignacio Parada. Smoother, delightful smokiness, just seemed better made at a little over half the cost. 48.6 vs 48.2 ABV so that wasn’t really a factor.
Tyler
643 reviewsVery grassy and vegetal on the nose. Bursting with sweetness, honeyed agave, and zucchini. There is some nice pine and lime here with notes of dry wood. Delicious juice. Edition 1 from 2014. 47.8% ABV.
Jonny
708 reviewsThe nose on this thing is a bit crazy. It has some grassy vegetal aromas and notes of lemon zest, orange fruit, and fresh flowers. Very perfumed nose. The palate is balanced and complete. Great mezcal!