Mal Bien Mexicano from Emanuel Ramos was originally released in the US as part of Agave Mixtape Vol 2.
About this destilado de agave
Mal Bien Mexicano from Emanuel Ramos was originally released in the US as part of Agave Mixtape Vol 2. Per Agave Mixtape:
Working with 14-year-old maguey mexicano (A. americana) harvested from the chalky soil surrounding their home and palenque, Emanuel and his father Victor roasted the piñas, crushed them with their ox-drawn tahona, and fermented the mash in the shade of their banana trees, before distilling the batch on their copper alambiques con refrescaderas.
Though father and son work together on every batch, the decisions about fermentation, cuts during distillation, and final blending of this batch were made by Emanuel. (When in doubt, you can always check for an “ER” in the batch code for Emanuel Ramos, or a “VFR” for his father.)
Mexicano is on the shortlist of favorite agaves for the Ramos family to plant and distill, making its way into nearly all of their mezclas, along with at least one pure batch each year.
This particular batch is what the Ramos family drank to celebrate the arrival of Emanuel and his wife Remedios’s second child Emanuel Jr. this July. Please join them in celebrating the next generation of mezcaleros with this bottle.
Agave Mixtape
Agave Mixtape brings the best agave spirits together in one place – your place. Agave Mixtape is a subscription based service. Subscribers receive boxes with three 200ml bottles from three different brands – Lalocura, Mal Bien, and Neta (and maybe a few surprises) – filled with batches picked especially for Agave Mixtape, and not available anywhere else in the USA. Each box includes production notes on the batches, along with links to photos, and virtual tastings with the people behind the brands and the mezcaleros. You can subscribe directly from their website.
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
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RyeAmLegend
37 reviewsA kind of healthy alfalfa smoothie on the nose. Bit of lactic and unripe white peach. Damp hay. Plastic solo cup. Nice sweet balance on the nose.
Dry and hot initial sip. Dry spice and herb rub mix. Paprika sweetness with a cumin kick. Earthy richness that reminds me of cashews. Oily and thin – like a broken emulsion. Rich fruity sweet note on the very tip of my tongue.
Dry texture on the finish. Coffee bitter note. Ground roasted and dried chili peppers. Bitter salad greens. Slight cider vinegar and pear skin. Roasted carrots and caramelized onions.
This is a challenging glass if I’m being honest with myself. It’s got a bit of everything going on in it. I enjoy it but I’m just not in love with it. The better finish by itself is great and is lovely but it kind of clashes with the flavors that I’m getting on the palate. It’s honestly a bit confusing to me and if I think less about it I’d probably enjoy it more. Definitely overthinking this one but it’s making me want to try other Mexicano and mezcal from Ramos.
A kind of healthy alfalfa smoothie on the nose. Bit of lactic and unripe white peach. Damp hay. Plastic solo cup. Nice sweet balance on the nose.
Dry and hot initial sip. Dry spice and herb rub mix. Paprika sweetness with a cumin kick. Earthy richness that reminds me of cashews. Oily and thin – like a broken emulsion. Rich fruity sweet note on the very tip of my tongue.
Dry texture on the finish. Coffee bitter note. Ground roasted and dried chili peppers. Bitter salad greens. Slight cide
TheAgaveFairy
169 reviewsNose: Floral, also with caramel tones – oh dammit this is americana not rhodacantha. (Context, tried to taste it next to a Mexicano/Tep). That makes so much more sense. Light, pretty, papaya, minty, some thyme for sure.
Palate: Nice pleasant acidity, cherries popping out and that lovely minerality. Damn I just love the Ramos stuff. Green tones, oodles and oodles of sweetness. Melons, cherries, pine, honey, candies.
Thoughts: I love Ramos. Yea.
AdamCA
16 reviewsLove this. Sweet and green is one of my favorite qualities in a mezcal and this has it in spades. There is a honeyed/candied smell along with fresh green pepper that you get first, then the exact same flavor hits your tongue when you first taste it, just with a bit less sweetness and a more complex depth. Like the smell of a garden vs the earthy taste of the vegetables that come from it. There is a pleasant peppery spice that comes on the second half of the experience, and the sweetness, earthy green bell peppers, and pepper spice all sit on the tongue all the way through a nice long finish. Interestingly, though most Mexicanos are A. Rhodacantha, this is A. Americana, so be aware it may be a bit different from other Mexicanos.
Love this. Sweet and green is one of my favorite qualities in a mezcal and this has it in spades. There is a honeyed/candied smell along with fresh green pepper that you get first, then the exact same flavor hits your tongue when you first taste it, just with a bit less sweetness and a more complex depth. Like the smell of a garden vs the earthy taste of the vegetables that come from it. There is a pleasant peppery spice that comes on the second half of the experience, and the sweetness, earthy
COak
228 reviewsGot this in the agave mixtape vol. 2. Huge fan of this subscription, definitely worth it. This has creaminess, minerals and citrus to it. Ramos family can’t do wrong.
Jonny
705 reviewsLot 0220 ER. Aromas of hot dry earth and spicy jalapeno peppers. Hints of Menthol on the nose as well. The palate has notes of vanilla ice cream, lemon, pine, fresh greens, and minerals. Lots of subtle complexity. Highly enjoyable.
t8ke
144 reviewsRich on the palate. Honey, almond, bite of ash and a hint of minerality. Lovely complexity here, with the green vegetable notes, sweetness and savory smoke balancing nicely.
Delightful and complex, the Ramos pair never disappoints.
Gregg T&T
100 reviewsFresh linen scented candle, candied fruit and a hint of scotch peat on the nose. Buttercream, sweet peppers and nuanced white pepper on the palate. Delicious.
El-Dawg
209 reviewsThe smell reminds me of the Ramos’ Verde – bright & green! Notes of vanilla, oak, and pepper. Strong smoke at the finish, but still very balanced with the welcomed sweetness. Overall this one is very delicious, and probably my favorite mexicano to date! 4.25
Zack Klamn
542 reviewsNose: Agave sweet, earthy and gentle serrano pepper spicy – killer combo!
Palate: Garden green pepper, slight cayenne pepper and candy. Mineral hit midway through. Finish is awesome – perfect little, spicy kick. No burn and the candy sweetness comes back for the ride. Unreal mezcal – love this!
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsRye-like spiciness. Or maybe more like cilantro/verbena type zing on it. Well integrated, not overly complex tho. Solid
Rakhal
421 reviewsVanilla bean ice cream with 70% dark chocolate chips, plumeria flower, strawberry jam, menthol, peppermint, pine needles. Tasty.