Lamata Ensamble is produced by Jose Castellanos in Las Virgenes in the northern state of Tamaulipas using equal parts of three agaves: Asperrima, Americana, and Univittata.
About this destilado de agave
Lamata Ensamble is produced by Jose Castellanos in Las Virgenes in the northern state of Tamaulipas using equal parts of three agaves: 33% A. Asperrima, 33% A. Americana, and 33% A. Univittata. In this region of Tamaulipas, both the Agave Asperrima and Agave Americana are referred to simply as “Maguey” while the smaller Agave Univittata is called “Amole”. All three agave are cooked together in an underground oven and their juices are squeezed out using an antique wooden sugar-cane trapiche (seen in drawing on front label). The fibers are discarded and only the juices of the agave are fermented. The juice is fermented spontaneously with spring water. Due to the proximity to the Texas border, the traditional still is a Moonshine style still brought from the Southern US states, popularized during US prohibition. Basically a traditional pot still, this system is differentiated by a wooden barrel or “thumper” being connected between the pot and the serpentine. The final spirit is adjusted with heads and tails. This is a very unique tasting mezcal, with a delightful funkiness.
This bottle was originally released under the brand name Amormata; it was rebranded to Lamata prior to the release of the second batch.
Lamata
Lamata (formerly named Amormata) is the for-export label of Nacion de Las Verdes Matas, a small unregistered brand started by Luis Loya many years ago. His goal is to share mezcal from Northern Mexico from places that are under-represented in the market. Luis has relationships with producers in Durango, Nuevo Leon, Sonora, Chihuahua, San Luis Potosi and Tamaulipas among others.
The typical lot sizes of Amormata releases range from about 40 liters to 200 liters. The producers will continue to make about the same amount of spirits that they historically have in the past. Therefore, the brand will not bottle much more than a total of three to five thousand liters per year. Amormata is dedicated to promoting the “gusto historico”, the terroir, the liquid culture, and the history that is mezcal to people beyond the borders of the places where it is made.
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Will
12 reviewsVery unique smell and flavor that didn’t really work for me but others I tried it with loved it. A sweet but also earthy smell like a vanilla cigar bar. A lot of complexity on the palate. I get predominately mango and wood with a strong bite and spicey finish.
Jonny
633 reviewsLot: ENS-C 5-05-2019. I get some of that creamy/spicy curry on the nose. Additional aromas of shellfish and red pepper flakes. The palate definitely has some shrimp elements to it, mixing with Thai spices and sandalwood. There’s also a Cajun red beans and rice note that I really like on the palate. This is really nice.
Tyler
604 reviewsLove Amormata but have trouble getting into this one. It is super unique and everyone should try it but.. there are some flavors that don’t appeal to me. There are some slight vegetal pea notes with sour dried fruit. I think Rakal had a good note with the shrimp – makes me think of the way dried shrimp smells at Asian markets. The finish has a bit of burnt plastic. 48%. Not sure about the lot number.
Rakhal
392 reviewsLot: ENS-C 5-05-2019. Totally unique. For me this Mezcal tastes like freshly made Thai red curry paste, even with notes of shrimp paste. Savory, earthy, and spicy. I’m also getting flavors and smells that remind me of ancient teak wood temples, and old leather. This might not be for everybody but I absolutely love it!!