Mal Bien Jabali / Bicuixe / Arroqueno from Felipe and Ageo Cortes is made with 46% Arroqueno, 30% Bicuixe, and 24% Jabali.
About this destilado de agave
Mal Bien Jabali / Bicuixe / Arroqueno from Ageo Cortes is made with 46% Arroqueno, 30% Bicuixe, and 24% Jabali. 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 agave, and a strong tradition of distilling. They are related to the neighboring Ramos family via Felipe’s wife (Ageo’s mother), Cesilia, whose sister Cleotilde is married to Victor.
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.
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JDB
165 reviewsGreat ensemble. Bicuixe is really present, but the backbone is that arroqueño. Rich and deep flavor, however the jabalí is a little muted, but some of the floral notes and herbal character could be from that maguey. That herbal character does hit on mint like Zack mentions, but also close to tarragon and cilantro. Some really subtle minerality too, caramel, and toasted cinnamon (close to red hots), and just a perfect heat warming up the whole tongue. I also agree with Zack on the mouthfeel lingering and the drying quality (probably the bicuixe). High quality sipper and a lot fun to let it open up and get some varied flavors with more oxygen. 4.75/5
Great ensemble. Bicuixe is really present, but the backbone is that arroqueño. Rich and deep flavor, however the jabalí is a little muted, but some of the floral notes and herbal character could be from that maguey. That herbal character does hit on mint like Zack mentions, but also close to tarragon and cilantro. Some really subtle minerality too, caramel, and toasted cinnamon (close to red hots), and just a perfect heat warming up the whole tongue. I also agree with Zack on the mouthfee
Zack Klamn
542 reviewsNose – Mint leaves. Cinnamon. Slightly buttery.
Palate – Rancho leather. Banana. Damn… the bicuixe really pops! A floral and fresh mint finish. Very long and pleasantly dry.
This was a delicious 2 oz. sample from my mezcal amigo down in L.A. 🙏