Maguey Melate Mexicano from Fortunato Hernandez was originally released as the October 2022 Mezcalero of the Month Club agave spirit.
About this destilado de agave
Maguey Melate Mexicano from Fortunato Hernandez was originally released as the October 2022 Mezcalero of the Month Club agave spirit. Like many mezcal producers, Fortunato has a deep support system within his family, chiefly his daughter Estella, who is the head of sales and administration for all the family’s mezcal production. She started working in the palenque at age 12 and has been dedicated to the family’s mezcal production ever since. Her father, Fortunato, is a 3rd generation mezcalero who has been producing mezcal since 1990.
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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Azi
40 reviewsAnother wonderful one from MM. Well steeped black tea (all flavor, no bitterness). essence of mango, dried grass, cinnamon quills. a teeny bit leathery, a wonderful sipper
Four months since last trying it, and I can’t believe how much I love it. Putting it to the special shelf, its truly true delicious
tallchad
103 reviewsJust by Fortunato’s picture on the MM trading card with his big smile, I really wanted to like this one more. Now seeing all the exceptional reviews I feel like a party-pooper. For me this one was ok to good. The aroma is good and dusty with a hint of fruit. Taste is ok. I’m getting the leather and cedar wood and also a hint of chocolate and cinnamon. The finish is good with lots more cedar wood and some good heat.
Tyler
643 reviewsAfter spending an afternoon with Fortunado, I’m probably a bit biased. To Jonny’s point, it opens up quite a bit after letting it sit. I get an interesting mix of Milk Duds on the front palate with a dry cinnamon finish. This spicy dry finish cools a bit after it opens up more. Lot FOR-MEX-001.
Manning
24 reviewsBatch: FOR-MEX-001
Nose: nice fruity aroma – orange and mango along with some mint in the background
Taste: I definitely get that leather and cedar note that others have mentioned and it’s a very nice complement to the grassy, mint, euclayptus herbal notes and the orange, pineapple, and bubblegum.
Overall: I love this one. I would call it very well balanced between the herb, fruit, and leather/wood. It’s sweet but not too sweet. Just an excellent sipper.
Score: 8.5/10
Batch: FOR-MEX-001
Nose: nice fruity aroma – orange and mango along with some mint in the background
Taste: I definitely get that leather and cedar note that others have mentioned and it’s a very nice complement to the grassy, mint, euclayptus herbal notes and the orange, pineapple, and bubblegum.
Overall: I love this one. I would call it very well balanced between the herb, fruit, and leather/wood. It’s sweet but not too sweet. Just an excellent sipper.
Score: 8.5/10
intimaralem85
2 reviewsBest Mexicano I’ve ever had (yet)! Fruity & herbal notes. Amazing for sipping neat.
El-Dawg
209 reviewsSolid Mexicano…I visited Fortunato’s palenque and brought back a Mexicano back in 2021…glad to see that Melate thought that was the best one as well. Rock candy, green sweet tarts…long finish with some dark chocolate notes. Well balanced and sweet. I really like it!
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsBacklog
Zack Klamn
542 reviewsBatch: FOR-MEX-001
Nose – Grassy. Slightly lactic. Orange citrus. White sugar crystals. Campfire coals.
Palate – Wild grass. Dry champagne. Rock candy. Orange peel. Oak embers. Long, long finish. Amazing flavors! Fortunato nails this one.
Jonny
708 reviewsLot FOR-MEX-001. This really opens up the longer it sits. Classic Rhodacantha aromas of dark chocolate, leather, and some light smoke. Additional aromas of sawdust and cedar. The palate has notes of burnt sage, spearmint leaves, rosemary, dark chocolate, and this medicinal quality similar to cherry-menthol cough syrup. Medium finish. This is a very enjoyable release.
Rakhal
421 reviewsUpdate: after a month of this bottle being open it’s gotten more and more leathery which I really like a lot. So I’m upping my score.
I visited Fortunato’s Palenque back in 2019 and out of all the expressions that I tried his Mexicano was my favorite. This is a solid Mexicano. The first thing I thought of when I took my first sip was leather. Like walking into a saddle shop, or a library full of old books. Also 100% dark chocolate, a little bitter. The wood section of a hardware store, hay, paper, cinnamon, and some juicy fruit gum on the finish. I like it, but the Maguey Melate Mexicano from Berta Vasquez (also in Chichicapam) was better in my opinion. 3.5 stars.
Update: after a month of this bottle being open it’s gotten more and more leathery which I really like a lot. So I’m upping my score.
I visited Fortunato’s Palenque back in 2019 and out of all the expressions that I tried his Mexicano was my favorite. This is a solid Mexicano. The first thing I thought of when I took my first sip was leather. Like walking into a saddle shop, or a library full of old books. Also 100% dark chocolate, a little bitter. The wood section of a hardware store, ha
Veggie Lover
5 reviewsThis is superb right from the first sip. A cross between juicy fruit and double mint gum with some herbaceous notes on the nose. On the palate I get soft mint with brown leather and aftershave. Nice touch of soft smoke on the finish.