Mal Bien Papalote is made by Don Antonio Sonido and his son Don Lorenzo Sonido using Papalote (Agave cupreata) grown on the family’s lands in the community of Pantitlán.
About this destilado de agave
Mal Bien Papalote is made by Don Antonio Sonido and his son Don Lorenzo Sonido using Papalote (Agave cupreata) grown on the family’s lands in the community of Pantitlán. The two are best known for the large supply of Maguey Espadin grown on their property and originating the recipe for “Borrego” pechuga mezcal.
A batch distilled in May 2021 yielded 402 bottles released under the Mal Bien label.
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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bpCLT
35 reviews48.3% ABV
Nose: light tropical fruit. Tart Mango, coconut, kiwi, green peppers, some tangy citrus
Palate: starts out with creamy mango, papaya, soft fruits, coconut flakes. Moves toward more earthy, cumin, and leathery. Some slate and spice. Then on the finish I get a bit of chocolate and more leather. Herbal peppermint and cinnamon lingers for a bit.
Good stuff. Not mind blowing but complex enough and a great example of Papalote.
Average José
41 reviews* Lot: 0527AS
* ABV: 48.3%
I had this at Las Almas Rotas as part of a Mal Bien 3-pack flight. Very floral nose; smells like funeral (Lilly?) flowers. Interesting…
Vegetal, toasted sesame seeds and onion followed by some type of melon were the flavors I detected.
A creamy “sweet heat” bbq chip finish that I really enjoyed was the finale but I would buy the Verde or the (rested in glass) Arroqueno over this particular expression.
JDB
134 reviews48.3% abv Lot # 0521AS
The number of high quality destilados from Guerrero is pretty shocking. I have become a full convert to cupreata. I was able to track down this bottle at El Cerrito Liquor in Corona, CA. This release has a similar nose and vibe to others that I have tried. Green on the nose, hints of onion and herbal qualities, lemongrass, freshly poured concrete, dried mango with chili. The flavors on the palate range from herbal mint tea, toasted coriander seeds, dry earth, green onions, and a faint sweetness. The heat hits in the back of the throat and the chest. The other reviews mention chocolate, which could be the earthy note (roasted cacao), I don’t really get the cinnamon or ginger notes. The sweetness could hit between the maple syrup, caramel, and vanilla that others mentioned. Regardless, high quality stuff and well worth the price (under $100 in most places). 4.25 stars out of 5.
48.3% abv Lot # 0521AS
The number of high quality destilados from Guerrero is pretty shocking. I have become a full convert to cupreata. I was able to track down this bottle at El Cerrito Liquor in Corona, CA. This release has a similar nose and vibe to others that I have tried. Green on the nose, hints of onion and herbal qualities, lemongrass, freshly poured concrete, dried mango with chili. The flavors on the palate range from herbal mint tea, toasted coriander seeds, dry earth,
Forpowder
59 reviewsLote 0521AS 48.3% Aromas out of the bottle were spicy candies light fruit and smooth alcohol. Flavors include candied fruit cinnamon smooth caramel and a nice clean finish. Just delicious. No smoke flavors or Aroma’s very clean.
Rakhal
410 reviewsLot 0521AS. Antonio Sonido is an incredible Mezcalero. Every single spirit I’ve tried from him I’ve loved and this is no exception. Chocolate milk, almond butter, cinnamon, ground ginger, ginger ale, and maple syrup candy. This is absolutely bursting with flavor!!!
JoeVandal
10 reviewsNose has a little mineral and earth
Taste has some funk, slight creaminess, and some sweetness on the back end.
COak
223 reviewsLoving everything I’ve tried from the Sonido family so far. This is my favorite of the papalotes from Mal Bien that haven’t been rested in glass. This is chocolaty, creamy and a bit nutty. Pretty good value too. Don’t feel like I can get sick of this.