Maguey Melate Espadilla from Federico Valentín Alva Ibáñez is produced with wild 10 year old Maguey espadilla.
About this destilado de agave
Maguey Melate Espadilla from Federico Valentín Alva Ibáñez was produced by Don Fede at the age of 95 years old. At the time of production, he’d been distilling for 80 years, having started at the early age of 15.
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.
Review this bottle
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JDB
130 reviewsBatch: FED-ESP-002, Production date: Dec-Jan, 2021. Bottle 174/255, 54% abv
Picked up this MM release at El Cerrito Liquor in Corona, CA. I have had a few espadillas from Puebla and they some similar qualities on the nose and palate. This one up front has a cross between a car repair garage and a decomposing smell from a swamp. It does have a sharp flavor profile with more of that barnyard/swamp/garage thing coming through. In addition, there is some vanilla and cinnamon, rounded heat, underripe stone fruit, jujube, and burnt sugar. My batch differs quite a bit from the other reviews, more abv, more flavor, and more balanced. Quite tasty and an honor to sip and enjoy one of the last batches from this maestro.
Batch: FED-ESP-002, Production date: Dec-Jan, 2021. Bottle 174/255, 54% abv
Picked up this MM release at El Cerrito Liquor in Corona, CA. I have had a few espadillas from Puebla and they some similar qualities on the nose and palate. This one up front has a cross between a car repair garage and a decomposing smell from a swamp. It does have a sharp flavor profile with more of that barnyard/swamp/garage thing coming through. In addition, there is some vanilla and cinnamon, rounded heat, unde
Zack Klamn
522 reviewsBatch: FED-ESP-001
Nose – Dessert tart crust. Nail polish. Horse saddle. Coconut oil.
Palate – Bubble gum jellybean. Dried dark cherry. A bit lactic. A sweet, ashy finish that goes on for a while with a fair amount of ethanol burn. A bit hot for 45% and not a tasty heat at that.
Tyler
621 reviewsBoozy with some smoked cherries. There’s almost an organic white rum aspect to this. It’s fine but not complex. I want to try the ensamble release that Melate did with him. FED-ESP-001.
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsTasting box. Loblolly pine. Ash. Maple. Cedar. Really forest-y. Teeters on 3.5-4 range
El-Dawg
190 reviewsOverall decent but not much going on…bit bland is all I could think to summarize. Plus too much ethanol taste/smell for my liking. The ensemble that Melate featured from this mezcalero & agave way WAY better.
tallchad
93 reviewsThis is from the first tasting box. It’s my favorite from the box. Aroma is good with light smoke and root vegetables possibly squash – very clean.
Taste is great and well-balanced. There is a hint of smoke, and light fruit.
The finish is sensational! There is a really good heat and all of the flavors and aromas balance together for a long lasting trip to the tummy!
I have seen great reviews for the ensamble version of this with Tobalá. I would love to try it.
This is from the first tasting box. It’s my favorite from the box. Aroma is good with light smoke and root vegetables possibly squash – very clean.
Taste is great and well-balanced. There is a hint of smoke, and light fruit.
The finish is sensational! There is a really good heat and all of the flavors and aromas balance together for a long lasting trip to the tummy!
I have seen great reviews for the ensamble version of this with Tobalá. I would love to try it.