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Maguey Melate Ensamble 4 – Luis Velasco

Maguey Melate Ensamble 4 was originally released as one of four spirits in the April 2023 Mezcalero of the Month Club.

Rating: (4 reviews)
Category:Destilado de Agave
Brand:Maguey Melate
Distillation:Filipino
Style:Blend
State:Jalisco
Town:Zapotitlan de Vadillo
ABV: 47.8%
Release year: 2023
Website: https://www.magueymelate.com/, opens in new window

About this destilado de agave

Maguey Melate Ensamble 4 was originally released as one of four spirits in the April 2023 Mezcalero of the Month Club. This represents the lifelong passion of Luis Velasco who has been collecting agave spirits in Zapotitlan de Vadillo, Jalisco for over 35 years.

These four ensambles or mezclas or blends started 35 years ago. Luis created 8 different ensambles/mezclas, blending together post-distillation mezcal from different producers in the region. Each ensamble/mezcla was 100 liters. When some liters of mezcal would be consumed, he would replenish them with more liters of freshly purchased mezcal, creating an ever-evolving 35-year-old ensemble/mezcla, more recently based purely on aroma.

These four releases all contain varying amounts of different agaves from the Zapotitlan de Vadillo, Jalisco region like Ixteco Amarillo, Alineno, Cuaquizoca, and Cimarron. Given these were blended over a 35 year period, it’s tough to say which releases contain which agaves.

These releases represent the landscape of Zapotitlan de Vadillo, Jalisco over the last 35 years. Luis decided to sell these to Maguey Melate in order to help raise funds to re-establish an old taberna and re-engage in the legacy of agave spirits production that exists on his wife’s side of the family.

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.

Member rating

4.25 out of 5

4 reviews

Jonny

Jonny

700 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars7 months ago

This is interesting and complex. Aromas of fresh day lilies, root vegetables freshly pulled form the ground (like freshly picked carrots that still have the dirt on them). The palate has good minerality with notes of caramel, chocolate, smoky campfire, and cooking brown sugar.

tallchad

tallchad

103 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars9 months ago

My favorite of the group of 4. The aroma has some juicy-fruit and lemon-lime taffy that is great.
The taste is not as subtle as the others and proudly announces its presence in your mouth. I like it.
The finish is wonderful and super long with rocky-fire char and light fruity sweetness.

My order of these ensambles: 4, 3, 1, 2

bluImbibe

bluImbibe

40 reviews
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars10 months ago

Nose: fresh fruit, hella oaky, brown sugar, maple syrup

Palate: funky, herbaceous, salty, woody; light briny smoke on the long finish

Rakhal

Rakhal

421 reviews
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars11 months ago

Wow. If I tasted this blind, I would probably think it was a Lechuguilla from Chihuahua. So interesting and complex! When I first opened it, I got some chemical flavors, but they went away after it aired out a bit. Chocolate malt balls, Nag Champa incense, Yoohoo, cinnamon, sweaty horse, and a flavor that tastes like a flannel shirt smells. I won’t be surprised if some people don’t like this one, but I really dig it.

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