El Sarao Oaxaca Cuishe has light smoke with notes of vanilla, green bell pepper, and earth.
About this mezcal
El Sarao Oaxaca Cuishe is made with maguey Cuishe (Agave karwinskii) in San Dionisio Ocotepec, Oaxaca. The mezcal was released as part of the Total Wine Spirits Direct program.
El Sarao Oaxaca Mezcal
El Sarao Oaxaca draws it’s inspiration from evening gatherings (Sarao). This mezcal is produced by 3rd and 4th generation mezcaleros in San Dionisio Ocotepec, Oaxaca.
Total Wine Spirits Direct
The US retailer Total Wine & More buys directly from distilleries for inventory at their many stores. These close relationships give them exclusive access to spirits at lower prices.
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MezPal20
7 reviewsBatch# S0JC01-20 Bottle 199/720A
Sweet spicy and vegetal to the nose. Gentle smoke wafts over agave nectar, soft spearmint, licorice, ground white pepper, and a hint of roasted poblano pepper stuffed with sharp Cotija cheese. Quite sweet on the tongue, much more so than is typical with many Espadín mezcals I have tried. I get lots of agave nectar, mint, pink peppercorn, anisete, and char. The body is a little on the thin side but satisfactory. The finish is semidry, with a tannic quality that is reminiscent of oak despite this being a joven. In fact, the vanilla sweet, earthy smoke that lingers would make me think I detected a note of scotchy peat if I didn’t know better. The woody bitterness wins out in the end however.
Nose: 9
Taste: 9
Body: 7
Finish: 8
Batch# S0JC01-20 Bottle 199/720A
Sweet spicy and vegetal to the nose. Gentle smoke wafts over agave nectar, soft spearmint, licorice, ground white pepper, and a hint of roasted poblano pepper stuffed with sharp Cotija cheese. Quite sweet on the tongue, much more so than is typical with many Espadín mezcals I have tried. I get lots of agave nectar, mint, pink peppercorn, anisete, and char. The body is a little on the thin side but satisfactory. The finish is semidry, with a tannic quality that i
jackstraw
3 reviewsdusty, peach-pear nose and some honey. taste is predominantly vegetal, earthy funk, followed by mild white pepper, stone and light ash. triggers sotol flashbacks at times. punches above its weight at the $50 price point.
Tequesta
15 reviewsBatch SOJC01-21. bottle 387/720. Always a fan of Cuishe and this just solidifies it. Very sweet front end with nice herbaceous and mineral notes. Smooth mouth feel with very little smoke. Pine, mint and limestone…very good sipping mezcal. A bit weak on the finish, but a very clean taste. I’d recommend it.
namespayne
9 reviewsFirst Cuishe. nose: Pineapple, grilled peppers, roasted meat, brine, roses, almost citrusy/minty and herbaceous with a decidedly olive note proliferating.
palate: very drying, gasoline, minerals, rubber in a new shoes kind of way, initially tingly, tangy, salty, non specific sour fruit. You expect smoke but it never comes, except maybe a tiny bit on the finish. Balance is excellent, complexity is low to moderate, clarity is low. It’s a well done mezcal that I’d prefer over Real Minero Barril even if prices were the same, which they aren’t (1:3)
First Cuishe. nose: Pineapple, grilled peppers, roasted meat, brine, roses, almost citrusy/minty and herbaceous with a decidedly olive note proliferating.
palate: very drying, gasoline, minerals, rubber in a new shoes kind of way, initially tingly, tangy, salty, non specific sour fruit. You expect smoke but it never comes, except maybe a tiny bit on the finish. Balance is excellent, complexity is low to moderate, clarity is low. It’s a well done mezcal that I’d prefer over Real
TzotollineRaramuri
75 reviewsLote #5DJC01-20
Bottle 380 of 720A
?- clear
?- drying impact.
Aromas of lime zest, soft plastic, menthol, sappy, vegetal, bell peppers, fresh peppers, raw wood, under ripe tropical fruits.
Adequate to powerful aroma intensity, simple production.
Average length and fine character.
?- Astringent, and coating effect; smooth sufficient alcohol; medium body.
Primarily sour and sweet taste; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of citrus zest, peppers, wood and under ripe tropical fruits.
Concentrated flavor intensity, simple character, correct balance.
Straightforward and very long finish.
Very Good overall impression.
*Not very complex character, but very well balanced, and with fair typicity.
Learn more about organoleptic evaluation at the International Wine & Spirits Guild’s seminar in Fine Spirits,
or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.
Lote #5DJC01-20
Bottle 380 of 720A
?- clear
?- drying impact.
Aromas of lime zest, soft plastic, menthol, sappy, vegetal, bell peppers, fresh peppers, raw wood, under ripe tropical fruits.
Adequate to powerful aroma intensity, simple production.
Average length and fine character.
?- Astringent, and coating effect; smooth sufficient alcohol; medium body.
Primarily sour and sweet taste; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of citrus zest, peppers, wood and under ripe tropical fruits.
Concentrated flavor in
GreenspointTexas
382 reviewsFor $54 after tax, this is fantastic. Its not on the level of Real Minero or 5 Sentidos’ offerings, but better than Banhez and most of Del Maguey… at a fraction of the price. Lemons, grapefruit, mulch, and some kiwi. Love it
Mezcaliente
14 reviewsBatch SOJCO1-20 Bottle 106/720C. First cuishe mezcal and I am a huge fan. Much more of the vegetable and pepper I love. Light on smoke. Bursting with flavor.