Maguey Melate Tequilana from J. Refugio Pineda Cruz was originally released as the February 2024 Mezcalero of the Month Club agave spirit.
About this destilado de agave
Maguey Melate Tequilana from J. Refugio Pineda Cruz was originally released as the February 2024 Mezcalero of the Month Club agave spirit.
Refugio runs the Siete Pozos Taberna in Zapotitlan de Vadillo, Jalisco. The Taberna is owned by Luis Velasco, a long-time agave spirits collector. Prior to running the Siete Pozos Taberna, Refugio had worked at his father’s taberna for the previous 38 years. Refugio’s sons also work the taberna alongside him. Although Refugio doesn’t outright own the batches he produces, he is compensated in a way that when the brand grows, so will his benefits – a reflection of the company’s value on appreciating all the hands involved.
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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les_
27 reviewsstrawberry milk, chèvre, sour mango, lime, cream, sand, grass, lemon balm, soil, char, green chile, grapefruit peel
Jonny
708 reviewsBatch REF-TEQ-001. Aromas of havarti, whipped cream, under-ripe strawberries, guava, and green bananas. The palate is a bit sharp. It has layers of tangy, almost sour tropical fruit, like if you made a smoothie of not-yet-ripe guava, mango, and papaya. An additional lemon flavor persists throughout this, but is most present on the finish.
Imperium
99 reviewsThis is tequila made in the artisanal way, like it used to be made – a window to the past. It is far more complex than tequila blanco with so many other flavors going on. Where most blancos are fairly tasteless or just taste like agave, and aged reposados and anejos introduce the oak and caramel notes, this has flavor right out of the gate.
Nose: Toasted agave, but with a sour cheese note and some spices and pepper.
Palate: Cooked agave, fruits, spices, Camembert cheese and pepper. It’s sweet and very tasty.
This is tequila made in the artisanal way, like it used to be made – a window to the past. It is far more complex than tequila blanco with so many other flavors going on. Where most blancos are fairly tasteless or just taste like agave, and aged reposados and anejos introduce the oak and caramel notes, this has flavor right out of the gate.
Nose: Toasted agave, but with a sour cheese note and some spices and pepper.
Palate: Cooked agave, fruits, spices, Camembert cheese and pepper. ItR
Wayside Loop
4 reviewsOne of the best Tequilana’s I have had. You can taste the authenticity of the product and what tequila truly was when it was made in this fashion.
Nose: sweet agave with some roasted honeysuckle, green herbs, and a hint of earthiness
Palate: Tangy/sweet lime; roasted agave comes through wonderfully and you feel like you are a part of the roasting process without the smoke, hint of menthol for a slight second, more fruits and nopales.
Finish: Coats the mouth with warmth and sweetness. I will seek this bottle out again and would purchase many for my friends to have an introduction into what Tequila should taste like. Fantastic spirit
One of the best Tequilana’s I have had. You can taste the authenticity of the product and what tequila truly was when it was made in this fashion.
Nose: sweet agave with some roasted honeysuckle, green herbs, and a hint of earthiness
Palate: Tangy/sweet lime; roasted agave comes through wonderfully and you feel like you are a part of the roasting process without the smoke, hint of menthol for a slight second, more fruits and nopales.
Finish: Coats the mouth with warmth and sweetness. I will
Ben P
110 reviewsNose: funky and tangy, like a spiced covered soft cheese, cumin, some pine, hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, I get some stewed fruits after some time
Palate: a lot going on here, tangy fruits like sour mango and kiwi, this lemonade like acidity that just layers the complex. Moving to the finish I get some ash, bitter minerals, a bit of herbal spice like lemongrass. Finish is minty, wet river rock, this nice ash and sweet smoke just sits for a while.
This is lovely and a really cool example of what Tequilana can taste like when produced differently. You can tell this funky thing had a three week ferment
Nose: funky and tangy, like a spiced covered soft cheese, cumin, some pine, hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, I get some stewed fruits after some time
Palate: a lot going on here, tangy fruits like sour mango and kiwi, this lemonade like acidity that just layers the complex. Moving to the finish I get some ash, bitter minerals, a bit of herbal spice like lemongrass. Finish is minty, wet river rock, this nice ash and sweet smoke just sits for a while.
This is lovely and a really cool example of what T
Satchmo
6 reviewsBatch no. Ref teq 001
Been drinking tequila for many years now, been drinking mezcal for over a year now. Being light on smoke, and made from Tequilana, it gets in your head that you are having something akin to a tequila. But it’s more complex than any tequila other than the best high proofs. There’s an engaging funk with a bright citrus, yet the funk offers nothing negative – it’s like a tart sweet cheese perhaps. Then mint, and that tartness, like a freaking sour patch kid almost. It’s a dry finish, I believe. I have to say, it’s very bold. The underlying agave and plant/earth is there the whole time. Delightful. It’s like discovering a new delightful high proof tequila that offers a completely new profile. It’s remarkable to me. I have to rate it very high. 🙂
Batch no. Ref teq 001
Been drinking tequila for many years now, been drinking mezcal for over a year now. Being light on smoke, and made from Tequilana, it gets in your head that you are having something akin to a tequila. But it’s more complex than any tequila other than the best high proofs. There’s an engaging funk with a bright citrus, yet the funk offers nothing negative – it’s like a tart sweet cheese perhaps. Then mint, and that tartness, like a freaking sour patch kid alm
free2roca
8 reviewsA nose of slighty over ripe fruit and agave. No hints of smoke. Tastes delicious, full of agave subtle fruit notes and minerality. A really vibrant exchange of flavours and an almost effervescent mouth feel. Really enjoy this one.