Mal Bien Tobaxiche is made by the father-son duo Victor and Emanuel Ramos, who have been producing for brands like Mezcaloteca (Mezcalosfera) for many years
About this destilado de agave
Mal Bien Tobaxiche is made by Victor and his son Emanuel. They are the 3rd and 4th generations of the Ramos family to produce mezcal in the Miahuatlán District of Oaxaca, an area famous for its abundance and diversity of A. karwinskii sub-species (madrecuixe, tobaxiche, etc.). The community of Mengoli de Morelos where they live and work has a population of just under 200 people. They are related to the neighboring Cortes family via Victor’s wife (Emanuel’s mother), Cleotilde, whose sister Cesilia is married to Felipe.
The maguey Tobaxiche (agave Karwinskii) used in this mezcal are cooked for 8-10 days in an underground pit oven with Encino and Mesquite. Once cooked, the agave rest 3-5 days before being mashed by ox drawn tahona. They’re fermented with open air yeasts for 3-8 days before being double distilled in a copper refrescadera still.
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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les_
20 reviewsstrawberry, cream, persimmon, watermelon, cantaloupe, cedar, char, bubblegum, cherry, lime, apple, wintergreen, lemon balm, salt
batch 0223ER, 47%
JDB
165 reviews96.9 Proof, no batch info
Tasted a 1.5 oz pour at Uno, Tre, Otto in Claremont, CA. A great karwinskii. Lots of herbs and minerals. Fantastic depth of flavor and mouthfeel. Sweet herbal flavors and a touch of astringency on the backend. A nice woodiness too, cross between cedar and pine and a touch of incense. Definitely a different batch from the other reviews, but still holds up well.
Zack Klamn
542 reviewsNose – Sugar snap peas. Sugar in the Raw crystals. A tad bit lactic. Sharp, inviting aromas.
Palate – Soft mouth feel. First hit: woody, sugary, slightly chalky flavor. Next sip and onward: A natural hot cinnamon heat, pine wood, lavender. Quality campfire ember and dry champagne finish. Damn this juice is gang busters! Huge thanks to MLR for sharing this 2 oz. sample with me – incredible stuff.
JoeVandal
10 reviewsNot sure about Lot #. 49.5%.
Like others have said… Mellow nose. I get some cooked agave, green vegetal.
Palate is mellow as well. Baking spices, tiny bit of vanilla, lots of green veggies! Real good.
Rakhal
421 reviewsNot sure about the Lot #. This is a very clean and well balanced Mezcal! Lots of complex flavors! Allspice, vanilla bean, dry dirt, oak, dark brown sugar, and a flavor that reminds me of new car smell. I like this a lot!
El-Dawg
209 reviewsVery herbal and green – smell reminds me of the Verde by the Ramos’. Grass, green veggies, some pepper spice. As mentioned not as bright as the Verde, and in my opinion not as good (did a side by side), but this is amazing juice – well balanced, sweet & smoky, and at almost 55%! Can’t way to try the next Ramos’ creation.
Lote: 0918
Review #68
Derekac7
19 reviewsThe Ramos family has done it again! Hard to believe this is 54%. Not as bright as the Verde, but the vegetal notes are very present, spearmint, vanilla, and an extremely well balanced spicy/smokey finish. This is a home run.
razorbackmike
155 reviewsthis has that wow factor!i didnt get much on the nose.the aroma is spicy and sweet and slight.the first impression is a spicy hot chocolate with green veggies on the tongue.mid way there are multiple layers of different spices mixed with cinnamon.the agave is presnt on the finish with mild smoke.this is very silky with no bite and its 54%!the ramos family make fantastic mezcals.any bottle with there name on it is going to be top shelf.wonderful mezcal!UPDATE : i now call this mezcal the assassin !!! ididnt think you could improve on a 5 star rating but this bottle just keeps improving! the layers get more complex with spice and retains a deep sweetness.it never reveals its 54% abv until its too late! one of the best bottles i have ever had.
this has that wow factor!i didnt get much on the nose.the aroma is spicy and sweet and slight.the first impression is a spicy hot chocolate with green veggies on the tongue.mid way there are multiple layers of different spices mixed with cinnamon.the agave is presnt on the finish with mild smoke.this is very silky with no bite and its 54%!the ramos family make fantastic mezcals.any bottle with there name on it is going to be top shelf.wonderful mezcal!UPDATE : i now call this mezcal the assassin
COak
228 reviewsThis is similar to the Mezcalosfera Tobasiche, also made by Emanuel Ramos. Very approachable, no rubbing alcohol here. Vegetal and tastes of spearmint.
Tyler
641 reviewsA notch above the Verde. More soft and sweet. A friend said yogurt covered raisins which is a great note. The green-ness here is like fresh veggies. Really enjoyable mezcal.
Jonny
705 reviewsAromas of vanilla and green vegetables, very mellow nose. Wow! The palate is subtle but full and rich. Notes of red grapes, yogurt covered raisins, eggplant, and white Airheads. This is very good.