Mal Bien Arroqueno is made by the father-son duo Felipe and Ageo Cortes, who have been producing for brands like Mezcaloteca (Mezcalosfera) for many years.
About this destilado de agave
Mal Bien Arroqueno is made with maguey Arroqueno (agave Americana) that are cooked in an underground oven for 8-10 days with the following types of wood: Encino, Yegareche, Mesquite, and Palo de Aguila. The agave are allowed to rest for 5-7 days after the cook, before being milled by ox drawn tahona. The milled agave are fermented in open air tinas for 3-8 days and then double distilled in a copper refrescadera still.
Felipe and his son Ageo are the 3rd and 4th generations of the Cortes family to produce mezcal in the Miahuatlán District of Oaxaca, an area famous for its abundance and diversity of A. karwinskii sub-species (madrecuixe, tobaxiche, etc.). The community of Mengoli de Morelos where they live and work has a population of just under 200 people. They are related to the neighboring Ramos family via Felipe’s wife (Ageo’s mother), Cesilia, whose sister Cleotilde is married to Victor Ramos.
According to the brand, batch 0318’s label incorrectly lists the scientific name as A. Karwinskii. All other batches are correctly labeled as A. Americana.
Mal Bien
Since 2016, the Mal Bien team has been traveling Mexico, driving off the map and into mountains filled with treacherous roads, police officers of questionable moral character, feral dogs, indigenous languages, narcos, ancient relics, machete wielding protestors, insect based meals, mudslides, blockades, corrupt politicians, and many of the world’s kindest, funniest, most brilliant people. In addition to some hard to believe stories, they’ve connected with a wide variety of traditional producers, whose mezcal is now bottled and exported under the Mal Bien name.
Review this bottle
Login or create an account to add your tasting notes
Average José
54 reviews* Lot: 0919AC
* ABV: 50.21%
I had this at Las Almas Rotas as part of a Mal Bien 3-pack flight. Sweet cheese funk and Greek yogurt on the nose but not overpowering.
Soft agave, vanilla and light smoke – this spirit really has depth! I believe the additional resting period has actually mellowed this out well, I’m not sure I would have enjoyed this as much straight off of the shelf. This was the wife’s absolute favorite of the night too where as I enjoyed the Verde much more but still found this expression to be a very solid drink.
* Lot: 0919AC
* ABV: 50.21%
I had this at Las Almas Rotas as part of a Mal Bien 3-pack flight. Sweet cheese funk and Greek yogurt on the nose but not overpowering.
Soft agave, vanilla and light smoke – this spirit really has depth! I believe the additional resting period has actually mellowed this out well, I’m not sure I would have enjoyed this as much straight off of the shelf. This was the wife’s absolute favorite of the night too where as I enjoyed the Verde much more but still found t
JDB
165 reviews50.21 abv, Lot# 0919AC, rested in glass
Caramel, hay and wood on the nose, palate has some sharp heat upfront, flavors of minerality, clove, ginger, wet cardboard, green banana, sweet melon, with a slightly bitter aftertaste. Looking at the other reviews, there are some differences with other batches. Looking at the reviews that tasted the same batch as mine, I agree with the starchy note by Zack, not sure I get the soft note or the funk note either. Also, not much smoke for me. I do recommend letting this breathe a bit if you get a pour of it. Definitely worth exploring and enjoying.
50.21 abv, Lot# 0919AC, rested in glass
Caramel, hay and wood on the nose, palate has some sharp heat upfront, flavors of minerality, clove, ginger, wet cardboard, green banana, sweet melon, with a slightly bitter aftertaste. Looking at the other reviews, there are some differences with other batches. Looking at the reviews that tasted the same batch as mine, I agree with the starchy note by Zack, not sure I get the soft note or the funk note either. Also, not much smoke for me. I do recomme
Ranger_Ryan
45 reviewsLot 0919AC
Very soft flavors, pure, subtle. The alcohol is a dominant flavor since everything else is so subtle. Definitely unique, nice addition to a collection to round out different expressions of agave.
Zack Klamn
542 reviewsThis was the first mezcal in a significant (bordering on legendary) tasting at Madre (Hollywood) and what a kickstarter! This bottle was aged in glass with very soft sweet, starchy (candied yams) and leathery notes. Loved this! Hat tip to MLR, James and Ivan who were along for the ride.
tdes
3 reviewsWhile I’ve not had too many mezcals (less than 20), this one I think is just delicious. It’s bright, fresh and the peppery taste of it is fantastic. The mouthfeel is kind of like a red wine high in tannins. It’s got a hint of smoke and a sweet barbeque flavor to it. Just delicious really. I’m surprised the rating is as low as it is compared to other mezcals on here I’ve tasted (which IMO are not nearly as good). Honestly this is one of the favorite mezcals I’ve had so far, just lovely.
While I’ve not had too many mezcals (less than 20), this one I think is just delicious. It’s bright, fresh and the peppery taste of it is fantastic. The mouthfeel is kind of like a red wine high in tannins. It’s got a hint of smoke and a sweet barbeque flavor to it. Just delicious really. I’m surprised the rating is as low as it is compared to other mezcals on here I’ve tasted (which IMO are not nearly as good). Honestly this is one of the favorite mezcals I’
Gregg T&T
100 reviewsBell peppers and cooked agave on the nose. Cheese and spice on on the backend.
Derekac7
19 reviewsThe karwinski misprint reminds me of some old vinyl records that were mispressed, and now being sold as rare collectibles. Agree with Mike’s review – the nose is reserved, the flavor is simplistic but extremely high quality. In addition to vanilla, slight vegetal notes, and smoke, there’s a deep raw honey flavor I really enjoy. This is a top quality mezcal from the world renowned Cortes family.
razorbackmike
155 reviewsthis is really good mezcal.upon first opening the bottle,the nose was reserved.it seemed to open up after a few days.if you put a few drops in your palm and rub your hands together,the scent is wondeful.very floral and sweet.i do agree with another reviewer in the sense that it is lacking in complexity but that isnt a bad quality.i havent had many arroquenos but the ones i have are simplistic.the flavor is sweet with vanilla and slightly vegetal with a hint of smoke.it is exceptionally clean with no bite.i would never guess that it is 51% abv.the quality is top notch.this mezcalero is known for the mezcalosfera label and thats what convinced me to try it.my bottle label is one of the misprints that indicates the content is karwinski though it should be americana.the finish is short and very pleasant.almost a five star.lovely!
this is really good mezcal.upon first opening the bottle,the nose was reserved.it seemed to open up after a few days.if you put a few drops in your palm and rub your hands together,the scent is wondeful.very floral and sweet.i do agree with another reviewer in the sense that it is lacking in complexity but that isnt a bad quality.i havent had many arroquenos but the ones i have are simplistic.the flavor is sweet with vanilla and slightly vegetal with a hint of smoke.it is exceptionally clean wit
kozinnski
14 reviewsButtered popcorn, earth, leather, sweet potatoes, vanilla, detritus. Like an Espadin on steroids in some ways, but slightly lacking overall.