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Lalocura Cuishe-Espadin

Lalocura Cuishe-Espadin was initially released as part of the Agave Mixtape Volume 4 in March of 2021.

Rating: (9 reviews)
Category:Destilado de Agave
Brand:Agave Mixtape, Lalocura Mezcal
Mezcalero:Eduardo "Lalo" Angeles
Maguey:Cuishe, Espadin
Agave:Angustifolia, Rhodacantha
Grind:Hand
Distillation:Clay Pot
Style:Ensamble
State:Oaxaca
Town:Santa Catarina Minas
ABV: 47.7%
Age of plant: 13-16 years
Release year: 2021
Website: https://www.mezcallalocura.com/, opens in new window

About this destilado de agave

Lalocura Cuishe-Espadin was initially released as part of the Agave Mixtape Volume 4 in March of 2021. It made with 50% maguey Espadin (Agave angustifolia) and 50% maguey Cuishe (Agave rhodacantha). From Agave Mixtape:

Like many of his most interesting mezclas, Lalo’s cuishe-espadín is the product of a series of experiments started in 2018 to explore the mezclas of agave spirits’ origins, albeit through the varietal focused perspective that Lalocura is famous for.

While the cuishe and espadín add up to something different from the sum of their parts, he’s clear that the goal isn’t to create something new, but rather to find new ways of appreciating the agaves. Mezclas “say nothing if they don’t have the spririt of the magueyes,” Lalo says.

Both agaves are on full display in this batch. The cuishe presents clearly, especially in the aromatics, while the espadín plays a supporting role, providing minimal aromatics and a sweet base that acts as a pedestal on which we can see the cuishe from a new angle.

The Agave Mixtape batch cuishe-espadin is Lalo’s favorite iteration of the mezcla so far. Produced during the COVID lockdown in Santa Catarina Minas, this batch may have gotten a little extra love since there were no visitors to distract the team, Lalo says.

The espadín used here were planted in 2007. Espadín in Minas taking 13 years to reach maturity – nearly double the time in many other parts of Oaxaca.

The cuishe used were cuishe verde pence largo and cuishe verde penca corta, two of the 5 sub-varietals recognized in Minas. Grown between rows of corn, these cuishe took between 14 and 16 years to mature.

Agave Mixtape

Agave Mixtape brings the best agave spirits together in one place – your place. Agave Mixtape is a subscription based service. Subscribers receive boxes with three 200ml bottles from three different brands – Lalocura, Mal Bien, and Neta (and maybe a few surprises) – filled with batches picked especially for Agave Mixtape, and not available anywhere else in the USA. Each box includes production notes on the batches, along with links to photos, and virtual tastings with the people behind the brands and the mezcaleros. You can subscribe directly from their website.

Lalocura Mezcal

Before starting Lalocura in 2014, Eduardo “Lalo” Ángeles spent years working as the fourth generation master mezcalero of his family’s brand Real Minero, where he combined a lifetime of working under his father, the late, great Don Lorenzo with a collegiate degree in agricultural engineering. Many Real Minero bottles from several years ago actually have Eduardo listed alongside his father as the master distiller. Lalocura’s clay pot distilled mezcals have built a steady cult following over the last few years. People from around the world show up at the palenque in Santa Catarina Minas each day hoping to spend time listening to Lalo tell stories while they taste the 20+ expressions he has resting in glass at any given time. If you like clay pot distilled mezcal and you like Real Minero, it’s highly recommended that you find some Lalocura.

Read about our visit to Lalocura in the blog post A Tour with Oaxacking: Mezcal Lalocura

Member rating

3.72 out of 5

9 reviews

cagliostro

cagliostro

32 reviews
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars2 years ago

La Locura Cuishe Espadin Agave Mixtape #4 (47.7%)

nose: kumquats, very earthy, sage, papaya, matcha, cola, hint of soy sauce, milk candies, grilled eggplant

palate: vanilla, very earthy like clay, dried apricots, somewhat dark and rich overall

finish: cinnamon sticks, pecans, rye bread, faint creamsicle

this is more engaging than most lalo stuff. a little hot for me, but a really nice finish. not among my favorite producers, but this is one of the best batches I’ve had from him. 7/10

La Locura Cuishe Espadin Agave Mixtape #4 (47.7%)
nose: kumquats, very earthy, sage, papaya, matcha, cola, hint of soy sauce, milk candies, grilled eggplant
palate: vanilla, very earthy like clay, dried apricots, somewhat dark and rich overall
finish: cinnamon sticks, pecans, rye bread, faint creamsicle
this is more engaging than most lalo stuff. a little hot for me, but a really nice finish. not among my favorite producers, but this is one of the best batches I’ve had from him. 7/10

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JDB

JDB

159 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars3 years ago

Green apple on the front, back end has herbal notes, a bit of mint. I usually get more clay on Lalo’s distillations, but it is muted here on this release. Sips very clean and light.

COak

COak

228 reviews
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars3 years ago

This has a great nose, tres leches cake. On the palate it’s snickerdoodle cookies, cinnamon. This got more enjoyable as more air got in the bottle.

GreenspointTexas

GreenspointTexas

385 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars3 years ago

I thought this last AM series was the most solid of the 4 releases thus far. This offering is no exception. Nice interplay between sweet concha bread and basil. Finish is not light, nor heavy, but right in the sweet spot. Easy to sip, would probably be awesome in a cocktail as well. Pleasant

Jonny

Jonny

700 reviews
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars3 years ago

Lot 0-01Cuishe/Esapdin202. Aromas of dark tropical fruits like mango, papaya, and guava. There’s also a slight touch of sour orange juice on the nose as well. The palate is thinner than expected. Notes of wet clay, boiled peanuts, and caramel. There’s a bit of heat on the back of the palate.

AbbyNormal

AbbyNormal

5 reviews
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars3 years ago

The most normal of the three in Agave Mixtape #4, but certainly still a good one. Birthday cake, fruity but not fruited, caramelized milk, banana peel, bakery notes, Mexican brown sugar and cinnamon. Just a touch of saltiness at the edge of the tongue that balances all the rest nicely.

El-Dawg

El-Dawg

208 reviews
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars3 years ago

Dominate clay smell & taste throughout. Interesting, but nothing overly complex. Tropical fruit, woody, vanilla. Not bad at all, but not blowing me away either.

Zack Klamn

Zack Klamn

542 reviews
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars3 years ago

Lot: D-01-2020
Nose: Crème brule. A good, cheesy funkiness to it.

Palate: Entry is an incredible, soft sweetness. Cinnamon. Clay notes are awesome. Very gentle to start but gets hot in the finish. Aftertaste of light smoke and tropical punch candy. Excellent!

Rakhal

Rakhal

421 reviews
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars3 years ago

There something really sweet and tropical about this Mezcla. I’m tasting guava, papaya, and candy canes. There’s a lot of clay as well that reminds me of an old adobe house. I can definitely taste the cinnamon and tree bark from the tasting notes and also some grapefruit on the finish. Tasty.

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