Mal Bien Verde 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 Verde – Ramos 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 Verde (agave Rhodacantha) 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.
Review this bottle
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Average José
54 reviews* Lot: 0320ER
* ABV: 52.2%
I had this at Las Almas Rotas as part of a Mal Bien 3-pack flight. A fantastic nose of sweet agave, roasted corn and wet soil. I loved it so much that this was the bottle I bought after sampling the three different MB varieties.
Full flavor and unbelievably smooth – fruity and floral with just the right amount of clay. Gardenia, bell pepper and white pepper. So green and so smooth, an outright stunner.
The greenest Mezcal I’ve ever had and with the pure amount of quality you receive vs. the dollar spent makes this one an A+!
* Lot: 0320ER
* ABV: 52.2%
I had this at Las Almas Rotas as part of a Mal Bien 3-pack flight. A fantastic nose of sweet agave, roasted corn and wet soil. I loved it so much that this was the bottle I bought after sampling the three different MB varieties.
Full flavor and unbelievably smooth – fruity and floral with just the right amount of clay. Gardenia, bell pepper and white pepper. So green and so smooth, an outright stunner.
The greenest Mezcal I’ve ever had and with the pure amount of
Americana Kyle
60 reviewsThus one was weird and very well done. Not my absolute favorite but can’t knock the craftsmanship, still really well done.
Justin.Anderson3
14 reviewsComplex and Smokey. If you’re looking for earthy mezcal this is for you. The high abv makes this one a winner. Very natural.
Rakhal
421 reviewsLot 0620. Very vegetal and tropical. Roasted Brussels sprouts, asparagus, jackfruit, barbecued pineapple, caramelized banana. Tasty.
SwatSaladin
19 reviewsBatch 1118AC
Elegant aromas of fresh cucumber, dandelion, unripe honeydew, and pickled peppers–sort of a sweet green profile as opposed to an herbal/vegetal green profile. The cucumber comes through distinctively on the palate, along with peppercorn (in flavor and in sensation), and well-salted roasted vegetables.
This is a cool mezcal with great complexity, though the flavor profile isn’t precisely my cup of tea.
El-Dawg
209 reviewsNot enough can be said about how GREEN and bright and classically smooth this one is. Can’t believe it’s a 52% ABV, as I don’t get any ethanol or strong alcohol kicks. Green peppers and some sweetness – peaches perhaps. Some mint, slight pepper & spice hint. Light, clean, and CRISP on finish – bravo! Lote: 0218
donpedro
39 reviewsBatch 0218; 256 bottles; distilled in Feb. 18, bottled in May 18
Wow. Loads of green notes on the nose – green bell pepper, jalapeño, spearmint. Hints of black pepper as well. Jalapeño and more green peppers on the palate with undertones of sweetness. There is almost a floral note that I can’t place – perhaps it’s the cypress from the open ferment. Beautifully balanced with no alcohol burn, even at 52%. Delicate and complex – a bottle I have found myself returning to every evening since acquiring it. This is a delight every time I try it.
Batch 0218; 256 bottles; distilled in Feb. 18, bottled in May 18
Wow. Loads of green notes on the nose – green bell pepper, jalapeño, spearmint. Hints of black pepper as well. Jalapeño and more green peppers on the palate with undertones of sweetness. There is almost a floral note that I can’t place – perhaps it’s the cypress from the open ferment. Beautifully balanced with no alcohol burn, even at 52%. Delicate and complex – a bottle I have found myself returning
Gregg T&T
100 reviewsMy fav of what I’ve had from Mal Bien thus far. I get fresh cut green peppers and actually an underlying nose of berries. Cooked agave, white pepper and an amazing heat that kicks around your moth forever.
Derekac7
19 reviewsVery impressive! Bright, green, vegetal, spicy, and well rounded. Doesn’t change but in a good way. This is very well made and, for the price, it’s punching above its weight class.
Cwschaal
4 reviewsOne of the best things I tasted in 2019. Fresh, Bright, GREEN aromas – everything green – spearmint, green bell peppers, lime zest, tarragon, jalapeno, ripe kiwi. Complex and punchy, rounded out by an underlying sweetness. Well crafted, exceptional value and not a varietal you see everyday. Label says this Rhodacantha but skews more like a Karwinski as other reviewers have noted. Cant recommend this one enough
COak
228 reviewsTaste like a Karwinskii, but it’s not! Wonderful nose. The flavors that stand out are molasses and green veggies. Big fan of what the Ramos family is making.
Tyler
641 reviewsTasty. Green. Bright. Doesn’t seem like 50+% ABV. Spearmint. 7 Up. Not sure which Karwinskii I would compare this to but I’m enjoying it.
Jonny
705 reviewsSmells incredible. Aromas of green peppers, fresh broccoli, potatoes and other root vegetables, my grandmother’s books, and lavender. The palate is soft with notes of sugar cookies, pumpkin bread, lots of green, fresh green vegetables. This has some heat but very nice.