Maguey Melate Cupreata from Faustino Castro Bello was originally released as the November 2023 Mezcalero of the Month Club agave spirit.
About this destilado de agave
Maguey Melate Cupreata from Faustino Castro Bello was originally released as the November 2023 Mezcalero of the Month Club agave spirit. For the month of November 2023, club members received one of three different Cupreata (Papalote) batches: 1) Erasto’s Papalotes come from the northern part of Guerrero near the La Cuenca del Balsas River, 2) Benigno’s purely capon’d Cupreatas come from the humid oak and pine forests and take 10-18 years to reach maturity, or 3) Faustino’s cultivated Papalotes are in a slightly less humid, warm forest region.
All three of these releases come from the Sanzekan Cooperativa that started in 1990 with products like corn and beans, and eventually expanded to include mezcal in the early 2000s.
Maguey Melate
Maguey Melate was founded on two ideas: 1) Artisanal agave spirits are amazing and should be shared with the world, and 2) The faster-cheaper economy is a harmful force for people, the environment, and now agave spirits.
They believe if mezcal (and agave spirits) can be understood and appreciated at its full potential, people will show their preference for quality artisanal mezcal that is sustainably and fairly sourced. By raising consumer consciousness on the origins of mezcal and educating enthusiasts on matters of quality and character, informed people will be empowered to ensure the future of mezcal. To do this, they’re reaching a large audience with an impactful message: KEEP MEZCAL ARTISANAL!
Maguey Melate is perhaps most well-known for their Mezcalero of the Month Club, which delivers artisanal small-batch agave spirits directly to the doors of consumers in the US and Mexico. In addition to the monthly spirits, they offer exclusive content and interviews with producers. Single releases are also available in the Maguey Melate shop.
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JDB
165 reviews47.3% Bottle 162, Batch FAU-CUP-001
Nose: Olive skins, green onion, sweet bread, powdered sugar
Palate: Bitter melon, rhubarb, sweet tarts, dark chocolate, clove, candied ginger, and tree bark. Light salinity and and slight astringency, background of that green onion, and a great balance of sweet and tart.
So enjoyable and fits into the wide spectrum of flavors that I have come to enjoy in cupreatas from Guerrero. Excited to see that Sanzekan (a brand/cooperative that Faustino produces for primarily) is now getting U.S. distribution.
47.3% Bottle 162, Batch FAU-CUP-001
Nose: Olive skins, green onion, sweet bread, powdered sugar
Palate: Bitter melon, rhubarb, sweet tarts, dark chocolate, clove, candied ginger, and tree bark. Light salinity and and slight astringency, background of that green onion, and a great balance of sweet and tart.
So enjoyable and fits into the wide spectrum of flavors that I have come to enjoy in cupreatas from Guerrero. Excited to see that Sanzekan (a brand/cooperative that Faustino produces for
Jonny
708 reviewsLot FAU-CUP-001. Smells impeccably clean. Some soft aromas of orange cream, mango, and papaya. The nose is rich with fruit and light creamy notes. The palate is slightly nutty, like roasted peanuts. Additional notes of caramel, cream soda, figs, raisins, and apricot. There’s a warm and medium finish. This is really delicate and beautiful.
Rakhal
421 reviewsYet another amazing Cupreata from Guerrero! Is there anyone in that state that doesn’t make incredible Mezcal?!?! This is clean and citrusy and piney. Some Orange Creamsicle, cream soda, caramel, Spearmint Altoids, guava, crushed pine needles. Not a single flaw. So delicious.