Maguey Melate Pulquero from Felix Hernandez Ruiz is a small batch production from Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca.
About this destilado de agave
Maguey Melate Pulquero from Felix Hernandez Ruiz was originally released as the October 2020 Mezcalero of the Month Club agave spirit. This mezcal was produced in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca, which is known locally as “The Mezcal Capital of the World.” Felix is a 3rd generation maestro mezcalero and has been producing mezcal on his own since 2001.
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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Zack Klamn
542 reviewsBatch: FEL-PUL-001 Bottle: 814
Nose – Green and earthy like being in an agave field. Lemon/lime citrus. Vibrant and bubbly like soda water. Olive oil. Overall, the nose is pleasant and potent.
Palate – Coats the mouth very nice. Steamed bok choy. Breath mint sweetness. A residual cheesiness to it – reminds me of Kraft Parmesan shaky cheese. Black pepper and brine in the finish and aftertaste. I love this, one of my favorite Pulqueros for sure.
donpedro
39 reviewsMenthol, grass, lots of lime, and olives. I completely agree with everyone that mentioned the briny, vermouth qualities. Loads of salinity and acid. A bit on the sweet side, but not terribly so.
Maiapal
7 reviewsTouches of salt each time which adds a nice taste to make you want to keep drinking. Flavor was mile and a shorter finish, a little on the thin side. It is an easy drinker which bumps it higher on my list to reach for.
5vpvzf
2 reviewsNose: Faint spice and ethanol leading into a super fresh, wet, “green” or “aqua” vapor. Has an overall glue or marker smell overshadowing a fresh spicy nose that is masked a bit.
Palate: This feels very cool on the palate. Lots of dried fruit flavors, herbal and sweet at once. You can definitely feel the high abv because of how thin it is. Has a citrusy zest to it though. I wish this was heavier.
Finish: This has a cool, herbal, lemon, salty, finish that lasts. I quite dig this.
Overall: I like this, the finish and nose in particular. I wish the palate had a bit more oomph.
Nose: Faint spice and ethanol leading into a super fresh, wet, “green” or “aqua” vapor. Has an overall glue or marker smell overshadowing a fresh spicy nose that is masked a bit.
Palate: This feels very cool on the palate. Lots of dried fruit flavors, herbal and sweet at once. You can definitely feel the high abv because of how thin it is. Has a citrusy zest to it though. I wish this was heavier.
Finish: This has a cool, herbal, lemon, salty, finish that lasts. I quite dig this.
Overal
t8ke
144 reviewsBright and effervescent – light honey, bright floral qualities, almost like a lavender note. Citrus peel, mossy soil, crisp minerality. Hint of ash.
Interesting, complex and enticing, this specific batch from Felix shows the best side of Pulquero in a flavor packed release by Maguey Melate
hutter
6 reviewsFirst pulquero over tried. I like it. Sweet mild cream cheese and vegetal nose. Green pepper, clay, and salinity on the palate
rsidrys
50 reviewsZesty celery and green peppers. Some hints of Parmesan cheese on the nose. Lots of brine on the mouth, almost like a well herbed/spiced soup. Finish has a lingering bite that I actually find enjoyable.
COak
238 reviewsI was pleasantly surprised by this one. The nose is very inviting. The taste has a creamy quality but I also taste brine and peppercorn.
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsHavent had many pulquero varietals. This one may be near the top, however. Mostly echo what others have said. Some oil/stickiness on the palate. Finish has a slight wet dog type of thing going on. Overall enjoyable
Gregg T&T
100 reviewsSweet nose, cooked agave and Werther’s Original candies with an underlying mint. Green olives, brine and peppercorns – palate is much greener than expected and delivers more than the subtle nose might suggest, including a balanced heat at 49%. Close to 4.5
tallchad
122 reviewsI have never had pulquero mezcal. I reallly like this one. Aroma is interesting but good with a creamy quality a bit cheesy. Taste is surprisingly smooth with mineral and floral qualities. The finish is long with some good heat and pepper. More please!
El Dawg
227 reviewsFirst time having this type of agave. Overall very well rounded & nothing offensive about it. Most unique part of this mezcal to me is the smell (slight chlorine on the smell). Soft & sweet nose that carries through to the taste. I also get green olives & some tropical fruit as others have noted. Finishes clean. Missing “something” though to me which would give it a higher rating. But definitely interested to explore more pulquero mezcals.
Foster
10 reviewsThis is the second Pulquero I have had. There are some similarities but this one is far superior. Soft to the smell with some sweetness to it. There is a spearmint aftertaste but to start I feel like there is something sweet just can’t figure out the exact taste.
Jonny
729 reviewsFEL-PUL-001. Subtle yet charming nose. Some aromas of brine, green olives, and vermouth. This smells like a gin martini. The palate has a bit of black pepper spice, sandalwood, and more green olives. I admittedly don’t normally like mezcal made with this agave, but this one is nice, very different from the others I’ve tasted.
AdrianM
20 reviewsCaught me off guard, but in a great way. Another solid batch from Maguey Melate. This is the first Pulquero I’ve tried. I suck at explaining smells and taste compared to previous reviews, but I can assure you this is an amazing one. Saluuuuuuu!
Rakhal
430 reviewsJasmine, dried thyme, lime zest, green olives in brine, spicy cayenne pepper. Initially I got notes of steamed artichoke but the next time I tried it that was gone and it had been replaced by lots of spearmint and something like butterscotch. The finish is pleasantly bitter like the hops in an IPA. Very nice.
Azi
40 reviewsWow. I don’t know mezcal well, but this is outstanding. I have a very limited mezcal vocabulary, but I’ll do my best.
Vegetal and incredibly green: bamboo shoots, artichokes, hearts of palm (wisps of vinegar). even lettuces
Pink peppercorns, white flowers, boiled potatoes. this is incredible. My first from Maguey Melate. looking forward to so so many more
Edit a bit later: I still get the above, but way more sweetness has come out, and layers of vanilla I don’t remember from before. the floral aspect has increased 10 fold, the vegetal aspect is perhaps the same, and the slight bits of starchiness are gone. the green has faded a bit and a white creamy floral vibe has taken its place. Still delicious, still a delight.
Wow. I don’t know mezcal well, but this is outstanding. I have a very limited mezcal vocabulary, but I’ll do my best.
Vegetal and incredibly green: bamboo shoots, artichokes, hearts of palm (wisps of vinegar). even lettuces
Pink peppercorns, white flowers, boiled potatoes. this is incredible. My first from Maguey Melate. looking forward to so so many more
Edit a bit later: I still get the above, but way more sweetness has come out, and layers of vanilla I don’t remember from be
Hörky Båmf
20 reviewsSecond night with this one and still trying to unravel it: white vinegar, artichoke, green olive brine, peppercorns, bell pepper, that bitter herb flavor you find in some sotol, very little ethanol bite or burn (surprisingly for 50% ABV), a slowly fading finish, only slightly sweet, that makes you want to come back for another sip. Intriguing and enjoyable. Looking forward to reading other reviews because I’m not the best at describing these things.