Método Antiguo honors the “old way” of producing mezcal in which tails from the distillation run are used to bring the spirit to proof instead of water.
About this mezcal
Método Antiguo honors the “old way” of producing mezcal. The old way refers to using certain parts of the distillation run to bring the spirit to proof instead of water. The heart of the second distillation run is typically around 55% ABV, and with this mezcal it is brought down to drinking strength by dilution using the tails cut (colas) from the first distillation run (which is 10-13% ABV). Using tails instead of water introduces fresh flowery esters and added complexity.
This mezcal is made with agave Espadin, harvested, roasted, milled, fermented, and double distilled entirely by artisanal methods under the supervision of Karina Abad, head of production for Alipus, Los Nahuales, and Mezcalero at the Destileria Los Danzantes in Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca. The first batch of 1200 bottles was imported into the United States in 2018 at 48.3% alcohol by volume.
Los Nahuales Mezcal
Los Nahuales mezcal is distilled at the Déstileria Los Danzantes in Santiago Matatlan, the world capital of mezcal, south of Oaxaca city. The mezcals are branded as Los Nahuales in the USA due to trademark issues. Though the mezcaleros behind this mezcal have been making it for generations, the Los Danzantes brand has been around since 1997.
Craft Distillers’ tasting video
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Ishy
1 reviewLot 01A/18
I initially really disliked this bottle and found it soapy with a lingering bitter taste, and would have initially given it a 3/10.
However, as I’ve continued to sip on it, I’ve grown an appreciation for it. Nose is bright, like cherry hard candy.
Taste reminds me of buggle gum and spearmint. There is a floral after taste, like lilacs. I still appreciate some soapy bitterness but not as pronounced. I’d give it a 5+/10 now, hoping to gain further appreciation for it.
Lot 01A/18
I initially really disliked this bottle and found it soapy with a lingering bitter taste, and would have initially given it a 3/10.
However, as I’ve continued to sip on it, I’ve grown an appreciation for it. Nose is bright, like cherry hard candy.
Taste reminds me of buggle gum and spearmint. There is a floral after taste, like lilacs. I still appreciate some soapy bitterness but not as pronounced. I’d give it a 5+/10 now, hoping to gain further appreciation for it.
HighWine
76 reviewsBatch 2A/18 1200 bottles
Subtle nose but as you inspect closer you find big aromas of tropical fruit coupled with mint and pipe tobacco.
Medium bodied with heat that announces itself quickly but gives way to a myriad of flavors.
Yellow cake, green grapes, spearmint, and fresh cut wood.
I’ve had half a bottle of this over the last few months and this is my first time reviewing. Every time I’ve poured a glass it’s been better than the last. This is a great Espadin to have on your bar and I think I’m going to have to find another bottle to share.
Batch 2A/18 1200 bottles
Subtle nose but as you inspect closer you find big aromas of tropical fruit coupled with mint and pipe tobacco.
Medium bodied with heat that announces itself quickly but gives way to a myriad of flavors.
Yellow cake, green grapes, spearmint, and fresh cut wood.
I’ve had half a bottle of this over the last few months and this is my first time reviewing. Every time I’ve poured a glass it’s been better than the last. This is a great Espadin to have on your bar
TheAgaveFairy
169 reviewsA pleasant smoke, some sweet earth and clay notes, with a slightly minty big ripe agave body. Spearmint and peppermints both, crushed aromatic lighter peppercorns, lots of guanabana. First time I think I’ve used that tasting note. Loads of it, too. It’s that kinda slightly tropical, banana, floral coconut, light wild red berry combo of things.
Nicely acidic, and wonderful wild tropical fruit flavors, some lychee in there too. This is a trip. Green apple / malic acid, lime wheels, baby pineapples, all kinds of complex fruits.
When people say espadin can’t be good or interesting, please, do everyone a favor, and pour them this.
A pleasant smoke, some sweet earth and clay notes, with a slightly minty big ripe agave body. Spearmint and peppermints both, crushed aromatic lighter peppercorns, lots of guanabana. First time I think I’ve used that tasting note. Loads of it, too. It’s that kinda slightly tropical, banana, floral coconut, light wild red berry combo of things.
Nicely acidic, and wonderful wild tropical fruit flavors, some lychee in there too. This is a trip. Green apple / malic acid, lime wheels, baby pineap
JDB
165 reviewsABV 52.4%, 100% Espadin, Mezcalera Karina Abad
Oh that bubblegum….wow. Green but not too earthy, a bit of hickory, the finish lingers a good long while, the technique yields an impressive result. Hopeful to see more of these types of distillations make their way to the US.
Spirit_Chaser
20 reviewsLot 02A/18, 52.4% ABV
The nose is initially quite muted with notes of acetone but opens up wonderfully after a few minutes with truckloads of berries, white grapes, and vegetal roasted agave notes. The taste is slightly mineral with pez candy, roasted agave, mango, strawberries…loads of bright fruitiness. It finishes with a peppery kick and tropical fruitiness. This is a very bright, fruity, and zippy espadin with a full-bodied mouthfeel. I know that it goes against the entire philosophy behind this release (diluting the abv with the “puntas”) but a couple drops of water opens everything up even more. Wonderful espadin.
Lot 02A/18, 52.4% ABV
The nose is initially quite muted with notes of acetone but opens up wonderfully after a few minutes with truckloads of berries, white grapes, and vegetal roasted agave notes. The taste is slightly mineral with pez candy, roasted agave, mango, strawberries…loads of bright fruitiness. It finishes with a peppery kick and tropical fruitiness. This is a very bright, fruity, and zippy espadin with a full-bodied mouthfeel. I know that it goes against the entire philosop
Jonny
705 reviewsBright and a bit oily. Very nice viscosity and thick on the palate. Lots of fruity aromas and flavors: orange rind, papaya, and watermelon. This is a cool and tasty experiment. Piney and a bit soapy.
Tyler
641 reviewsVery impressed by this agave Espadin mezcal made with tails from the first distillation run. Bright is the first word that comes to mind. It was likely bottles recently and has this vibrant fruitiness. On the nose there is an aroma like a dry fruit roll up. On the palate there are berries and plum sauce. Los Nahuales plans to release limited batches of this mezcal once per year. Excited to see more releases from mezcalera Karina.
July 2020 update. The previous review was for a different batch. I’m finishing off a bottle of batch 01A/18, 1200 bottles, 52.4%. It is different than the one listed above but still very enjoyable. There’s some wet stone and fruit. Not too punchy for 50+ perfect ABV. For a minute I wasn’t the biggest fan of this batch but now that it is almost gone I really appreciate everything going on with this Espadin.
Very impressed by this agave Espadin mezcal made with tails from the first distillation run. Bright is the first word that comes to mind. It was likely bottles recently and has this vibrant fruitiness. On the nose there is an aroma like a dry fruit roll up. On the palate there are berries and plum sauce. Los Nahuales plans to release limited batches of this mezcal once per year. Excited to see more releases from mezcalera Karina.
July 2020 update. The previous review was for a different batch. I