Maguey Melate Lamparillo from Gilberto Roldán was originally released as the June 2022 Mezcalero of the Month Club agave spirit.
About this destilado de agave
Maguey Melate Lamparillo from Gilberto Roldán was originally released as the June 2022 Mezcalero of the Month Club agave spirit. This spirit is made with maguey Lamparillo (Agave asperrima), which is one of the more rarely found agaves used in mezcal production. The agave is almost yellow-ish, very rough to the touch, and extremely inefficient for mezcal production. The temperatures in this area of Durango often reach over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, making for very quick and hot fermentations that are usually only about 3 days.
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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RyeAmLegend
35 reviewsThe nose is a bounty of berries on a self-pick weekend. Strawberries and blueberries. Hay, straw, beeswax, and a bit of honey even. Even after a few minutes of rest, It’s a wide swath of fresh fruits, veg, herbs, and textiles. Sweet potatoes, fennel, baby butter lettuce, and caramelized onions. Agave nectar, aloe, cactus fruit. There’s a light bitter and herbal green tea note as well. The pleasant balance of sweet vegetables and fruits fades over time. More earthy and funky aromas like palm hearts, artichokes, and carrots along with lime and melon rinds. Lastly, a woodsy lumber spice like fragrant sandalwood or hickory.
A soft floral note of fruit blossoms on the palate. Delicate but intensifying. Starchy vegetables – Yuca, yams, pumpkin, or squash. The fruitier notes on the nose become a wooded blooming orchard. A touch of juniper and pine. Salted grits and buttered toast. Green elements of alfalfa and rocket lettuce. A perfume touch of jasmine and lavender. Mineral spring water with added calcium and sodium.
The finish reminds me much of Derrumbes SLP – raw jalapeño. Peppery and bright vegetal notes. Fruity mango spice rub. The wood elements finalize themselves on the finish with a much more dominant tone. Pinewood and coniferous needles. Wood bark and wet firewood. Salty and savory miso powder. Familiar vegetables – Bell peppers, cucumbers, and underripe tomatoes. Green olives and pickle brine. Tannic and metallic finish with pinewood chips and graphite, like chewing on your pencil in elementary school.
This is a fantastic expression and a gem bottled by Maguey Melate. I love the texture and balance of flavors. It is such a flavor diverse, yet balanced mezcal. Your senses are put to the test with each sip, allowing you to explore for as long as you’d like.
The nose is a bounty of berries on a self-pick weekend. Strawberries and blueberries. Hay, straw, beeswax, and a bit of honey even. Even after a few minutes of rest, It’s a wide swath of fresh fruits, veg, herbs, and textiles. Sweet potatoes, fennel, baby butter lettuce, and caramelized onions. Agave nectar, aloe, cactus fruit. There’s a light bitter and herbal green tea note as well. The pleasant balance of sweet vegetables and fruits fades over time. More earthy and funky aromas like palm
Azi
38 reviewsWOAH what on earth!! smells like parmesan, black pepper, pecorino. aka this is cacao e pepe, tastes like melted ice cream in a cigar box. Cooked greens, sassafras, cream soda, vanilla, pecan pie. Every sip you take theres something new. I personally don’t love this – but the quality is undeniable.
JRock
5 reviewsOne of my 3 favorites of 2022. Love the aroma, the botanicals that almost remind me of a gin/mezcal hybrid. Fresh bright flavors with so many layers. Great stuff.
tallchad
83 reviewsYes, this is really good like a dry desert. From aroma to finish this is wonderful. Aroma is dusty sawdust, cut with some berry sweetness. Taste is intense with some initial, puckering smoke but then smoothes out nicely. A little earthy and a little vegetal. The finish is my favorite part—it’s long and builds intensity with some earthy goodness. I could spend the evening with this half-bottle and be very contento.
Manning
20 reviewsLot GIL-LAM-001
Aroma: I could smell this all day! Incredibly floral with grilled oranges and creme brulee and some jalepeno in the background.
Taste: As close to perfect as you can get. More orange and jalapeno along with vanilla custard and a hint of lactic funk. Incredibly balanced with just the right sweetness.
Overall: This is up there as one of my all time favorites.
Score: 9.8/10
Tyler
612 reviewsMy favorite of the 3 mezcals I’ve tried from Gilberto. Maybe it is this batch? Maybe it is the Lamparillo? It’s got an incredible confluence of sweet, sour, and bitter. It is like cooked oranges, with their sugars juices with charred bitter rinds. It is a “juicy” mezcal; at this point I’ve probably enjoyed every Lamparillo I’ve every tried. Lot GIL-LAM-001.
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsRustic AF
Zack Klamn
512 reviewsNose – Crazy vegetal! Like opening a jar of cocktail onions. Fried green peppers. Black pepper. Olive oil.
Palate – Fried egg yolk. White pepper heat. Old leather. Very light powder sugar sweetness. Raw Anaheim pepper. Fried yellow onions.
Good stuff, one of the more unique mezcales I’ve tried in a while.
El-Dawg
183 reviewsWow – this one is amazing. Strong smells of spicy green peppers, like jalapeños, olives. Not a tep. but equally fragrant. Reminds me of a Salmiana as Rakhal mentioned. Tase is complex – brown sugar, pepper, root beer soda. Wow – this bottle is going quick!
Rakhal
398 reviewsThis is delicious!! It’s sweet and fresh and very complex. I’m tasting so many things in this spirit! It kind of reminds me of Salmiana and Tepextate but it’s definitely it’s own thing. Root beer, cream soda, strawberry soda, white Tic Tacs, white chocolate, dried oak, brandied cherries, green bell pepper, and Sativa flower. This is such a joy to just lay back and slowly sip while the different flavors just keep coming.
Jonny
634 reviewsLot GIL-LAM-001. Spectacular spirit!! Aromas of cognac, vanilla, custard, clove, all spice, and a touch of pepper jack cheese. The palate is big a full with bright black pepper, water chestnuts, ginger root, pecans, and cooked collard greens. I’ve had a few other releases from Gilberto and this one is stellar.