Mal Bien Mexicano from Chucho Sanchez was originally released in the US as part of Agave Mixtape Vol. 8.
About this destilado de agave
Mal Bien Mexicano from Chucho Sanchez was originally released in the US as part of Agave Mixtape Vol. 8. Per Agave Mixtape:
It was made with Agave rhodacantha grown just down the road from the palenque in San Baltazar Chichicapam.
The 8-year-old mexicanos used in this batch were velilla (mature, just before sprouting their quiote) when harvested, and were the first ever cultivated crops to be grown on a virgin plot of tierra arcillosa (clay rich soil) that belongs to Chucho. He described the land and plants as beyond organic.
While the flavors and style of this batch are all Chichicapam, the hijuelos (baby plants) were originally purchased in Santa Maria Zoquitlán – an area with plenty of mezcal fame to its name – 90 minutes south of Chichicapam. The rainy season is the best time for planting, but it’s also the best time for torrential downpours. After picking up up a truckload of planters from his magueyero, Chucho found himself caught in a thunderstorm and flash flood that nearly ended with his truck sinking in the large river that borders just outside of town. Thankfully, Chucho and most of his plants survived to tell their tale.
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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little_agave
34 reviewsAroma: musty
Palate: roasted squash
Batch: agave mix tape 8
Rakhal
421 reviewsSo musty!! Reminds me of an attic in an old house. Sandalwood, sawdust, box full of old sheets, mothballs, varnish, and fruit rollups. Interesting.
Tyler
643 reviewsSimilar musty notes compared to the Arroqueño from the previous Agave Mixtape edition (Vol. 7). This is slightly better because I think the milk chocolate notes of Maguey Mexicano are better paired with musty notes. It wavers between great and unpleasant with notes ranging from orange rind candy, cinnamon, and plastic. I will need to revisit this one and update the review later. Agave Mixtape batch volume 8.
RyeAmLegend
37 reviewsVery confusing mix of chemical anti-septic and banana peels on the nose. It’s like those Crayola fruit scented markers. Plastic, tape, paint like aromas. Berries that you forgot about in the back of your fruit and vegetable drawer. Dried leaves and hay. Raw honey or agave nectar. This starts out really abrasive on the nose for me, but with some air I get more delicate sweet lemon tea. Finally some slight salty brininess.
Lots of burnt herbs and grass on the palate. Heavily chemical forward flavors. A mild artificial citrus note that is not pleasant. Cleaning detergent. Not a very enjoyable sip.
A very familiar “Is it soap or cilantro?”. I love cilantro but the finish is actually soapy. Burnt matches and this kind of minerality to it.
I’m really not a fan of this one. Last box I also felt the arroqueño was lacking. I do not enjoy the burnt herbs and plastic, chemical flavors. A bit below average for me. I’ll have to come back to this one another time and see if anything changes in the bottle.
Very confusing mix of chemical anti-septic and banana peels on the nose. It’s like those Crayola fruit scented markers. Plastic, tape, paint like aromas. Berries that you forgot about in the back of your fruit and vegetable drawer. Dried leaves and hay. Raw honey or agave nectar. This starts out really abrasive on the nose for me, but with some air I get more delicate sweet lemon tea. Finally some slight salty brininess.
Lots of burnt herbs and grass on the palate. Heavily chemical forward fla
COak
229 reviewsThis has grown on me since I opened it. It seems to taste different each time I try it. I get some chemicals on the nose, which I get on some San Balthazar Mezcals. On the palate I get some coconut and milk chocolate. It has a nice finish.
thomaselliott
14 reviews47.6% April, 2021
In a tumbler, I’m smelling wet spring grasses and damp earth, like a morning in rainy season at the edge of the desert.
The first taste leads with a sweetness carrying the earthen and grassy tastes from the nose, layering on the mesquite smoke that was used to roast the Mexicano. This has a viscosity and mouthfeel that makes me think it was distilled in clay pots but it was in distilled copper alembics. It’s a creamy, sweet and smokey distillado that is quickly becoming one of my favourites…. If I could only get more of this.
…*&$K it, I’m giving this a 5 star rating. I love everything that is going on in this glass.
47.6% April, 2021
In a tumbler, I’m smelling wet spring grasses and damp earth, like a morning in rainy season at the edge of the desert.
The first taste leads with a sweetness carrying the earthen and grassy tastes from the nose, layering on the mesquite smoke that was used to roast the Mexicano. This has a viscosity and mouthfeel that makes me think it was distilled in clay pots but it was in distilled copper alembics. It’s a creamy, sweet and smokey distillado that is quickly becoming
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsReally fun Mexicano. Not too heavy, not too light. Red grapes, apple cider, basil. Its like a party in my mouth, and everyones invited.
Zack Klamn
542 reviewsNose – Sugar in the Raw crystals. Icing sugar. A slight spicy heat.
Palate – Green pepper. I like the heat on this – the right level of spicy (for me) and warm the whole way through. Quite sweet bordering on too sugary. Overall, this is tasty mezcal – perfect for dessert in my opinion!