Maguey Melate Sacatoro from Israel Petronilo Apolinar was originally released as the June 2021 Mezcalero of the Month Club agave spirit.
About this destilado de agave
Maguey Melate Sacatoro from Israel Petronilo Apolinar was originally released as the June 2021 Mezcalero of the Month Club agave spirit. This spirit is the first Melate release from the state of Guerrero, Mexico. Maestro Israel produced this in the community of Temalac, Guerrero in May 2020. The agaves cooked in a pit oven for 3 days, were ground by hand, and double distilled in a copper pot still.
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
Login or create an account to add your tasting notes
gonzalezjr21
10 reviewsMaguey Melate
200 liters produced May 2020
ISR-SAC-001
48%
My first Guerrero mezcal. Fresh ground pepper, cinnamon and a whole array of other spices. Tropical fruit, zesty lemon peel… so many flavors that explode in your mouth. Might be a little strong at first but after letting it breath it is magical!
tallchad
82 reviewsThis is a bold mezcal with wonderful flavors. The aroma is very good with strawberry creamsicle and other fruit with a slight whiff of acetone. Quite viscous and fun in the mouth. Great flavor! Bold and let’s you know it’s there. The best part for me is the finish. It’s incredibly long lasting… A few minutes can go by and I’m still getting some of the great flavor! Bring out the bull!
Manning
20 reviewsI wasn’t sure what to think about this one at first, as it has a weird smoked cheese note at first. However, after a few sips, I get this great strawberry cream cheese flavor mixed with green bell pepper and cinnamon. The sweet, creamy, and savory combination really works here, and I have been enjoying it more and more as it opens up. I’ve never had anything like this, as it’s such a unique taste, but I love it. 8.5/10
zeepuzzler
25 reviewsBatch: ISR-SAC-001. Bottle 194.
I’m loving all the mezcal coming out of Guerrero recently. Every bottle I’ve come across has been sweet, viscous, and darkly caramelized – although this one leans more toward the savory side. Aromas of freshly poured asphalt, scallions, bubblegum, lemon balm, turmeric, and cumin. A lush palate brims with uncommon and exciting flavors: roasted strawberries, ripe mango dredged through chili powder, crème fraîche, Indian lime pickle, and lemon peel. The finish literally goes on for hours, beginning with black pepper, wood smoke, and coastal sweetgrass before evolving into something more metallic – like old pennies or copper pipes. Incredible juice!
Batch: ISR-SAC-001. Bottle 194.
I’m loving all the mezcal coming out of Guerrero recently. Every bottle I’ve come across has been sweet, viscous, and darkly caramelized – although this one leans more toward the savory side. Aromas of freshly poured asphalt, scallions, bubblegum, lemon balm, turmeric, and cumin. A lush palate brims with uncommon and exciting flavors: roasted strawberries, ripe mango dredged through chili powder, crème fraîche, Indian lime pickle, and lemon pee
RyeAmLegend
35 reviewsISR-SAC-001 Bottle #86
Right from the first pour you get a bloom of woof fire and ash. It’s a deep earth and charcoal note. Long field grasses. Some root vegetables. As it sits in the glass the fire mellows into a low charcoal fire. It just reminds me of a crisp autumn night on the nose.
The initial sip takes you by surprise. It’s a salty sweetness you don’t expect from the nose. It’s not a BBQ but this lemon and olives tang. Smoked paprika. A savory dry rub. If you’ve had Trader Joe’s Chili Lime rub, this scent fills your nose as you sip.
The salinity savory notes come right through on the finish. It’s a rich salted cured meat flavor. A bit of citrus oil lingers as well. It’s like grilled lemons cooking over a fire.
There is a lot to unpack here in this bottle. It’s complex and interesting to explore. To me this tastes like a pickled turmeric lemon that’s a common Indian condiment/side. You get that briny saltiness but also the sweet and sour notes of the lemon. It’s tangy and smoky and simply delicious.
ISR-SAC-001 Bottle #86
Right from the first pour you get a bloom of woof fire and ash. It’s a deep earth and charcoal note. Long field grasses. Some root vegetables. As it sits in the glass the fire mellows into a low charcoal fire. It just reminds me of a crisp autumn night on the nose.
The initial sip takes you by surprise. It’s a salty sweetness you don’t expect from the nose. It’s not a BBQ but this lemon and olives tang. Smoked paprika. A savory dry rub. If you’ve had Trader Joe
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsStill unsure about where to rate this one. This is a placeholder for future use at this point
El-Dawg
182 reviewsThis bottle definitely improved with some airtime . . . sweet & fruity smell. Bubblegum, strawberry. Still a tad harsh in the taste, but overall the underlying creaminess and sweetness prevail.
Zack Klamn
512 reviewsBatch: ISR-SAC-001 Bottle: 21
Nose – Scallions. Navel orange citrus. The absolute tiniest hint of curry powder.
Palate – Amazing viscosity and texture. Raspberry cobbler with hand made whip cream. A small lemon squeeze. Tasty smokiness on the back end with a nice black pepper heat.
I know my eyes rolled back in my head at least four times enjoying/sipping a 2 oz. pour. Excellent!
Azi
38 reviewsAnother beautiful one. Limes dipped in curry powder. Cumin, cardamom, turmeric, anise. Lemon verbena, lime zest. omg…is this what an Amba & Mezcal cocktail would taste like???
Rakhal
398 reviewsThis is the third Sacatoro I’ve had from Guerrero and they’ve all had this delicious deep dark sweetness to them. Prune juice, Fig Newtons, fresh cut lumber, Mango Kerns Nectar, strawberry pie filling, and almond butter. I can’t wait for more Sacatoro Mezcals to hit the states! Guerrero makes some incredible Mezcal!!
Jonny
634 reviewsLot ISR-SAC-001. Phenomenal spirit! I’ve really been enjoying mezcal from Guerrero recently and this is no exception. Aromas of lemon peel, vanilla bean, cinnamon, paprika, cumin, cilantro, and cashews. The palate is viscous with a bit of anise, strawberry cream, orange soda, mango, and ground pepper. This is dynamic and complex, highly enjoyable.