Mal Bien Puntas de Papalote / Zacatoro / Espadín / Desconocidos from Javier Barranca was produced in Chilapa de Alvarez, Guerrero.
About this destilado de agave
Mal Bien Puntas de Papalote / Zacatoro / Espadín / Desconocidos from Javier Barranca was produced in Chilapa de Alvarez, Guerrero. The magueyes used to make this batch are notable for a couple of reasons. First, the use of magueyes desconocidos – plants that are rare enough in the region that mezcaleros haven’t bothered to give them names. Second, while the agaves were all roasted, mashed, fermented and distilled together, they were harvested from a several different locations.
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
Login or create an account to add your tasting notes
les_
27 reviewsgingerbread, cinnamon, sweet mint, lemon, lime, watermelon, cherry, pear, hazelnut, cream, carob, nutmeg, grapefruit, char, anise, green chile, brine, pine, soil, peppermint
Ben P
110 reviewsNose: melon rind specifically cantaloupe, lemongrass, pretty vegetal, watermelon, lime, as it opens up more I get some apple, it’s very clean and streamlined on the nose if that makes sense
Palate: a blast of fruit on the front, red apple, juicy plum, frosting elements and then white pepper, graphite, soil as it moves to the finish. Finish is kind of nice slightly peppery, spearmint, this element of grapefruit like you took a bite, rind and all. As I adjust to the ABV I actually get a blast of honeydew melon on the finish as well
Whoa, did not realize the ABV before pouring this. Definitely needed some air but still drank lower than I thought. Overall really nice and my rating ticked upward as I sat with it. I enjoy Puntas generally but believe there is a reason most agave is released in the 45 to low 50s. I bet this would be an excellent ensamble in non Puntas form. I get the Espadin and plenty of Cupreata, there is just a ton to unpack.
Nose: melon rind specifically cantaloupe, lemongrass, pretty vegetal, watermelon, lime, as it opens up more I get some apple, it’s very clean and streamlined on the nose if that makes sense
Palate: a blast of fruit on the front, red apple, juicy plum, frosting elements and then white pepper, graphite, soil as it moves to the finish. Finish is kind of nice slightly peppery, spearmint, this element of grapefruit like you took a bite, rind and all. As I adjust to the ABV I actually get a blast of