Marca Negra Dobadan

XA014-17. Alberto Ortíz. Bottle 273/890. 47.9% ABV.

This easy-sipping mexicano (an agave that seems to get less attention than others) has sat on my shelf for some time. Classic notes of roasted agave, ripe banana, grape and spearmint on the nose. Toasted honeycombs, maple syrup, green stems and dark chocolate on the palate. Black pepper, licorice and jalapeño on the finish. Reminds me of the Douglas Fir truffle from Soma Toronto. Dark, acidic, aromatic and delicious.

batch XAOLS-18 47.8% bottle 267/300 rated on 9/2023 Maestro Alberto Ortiz. Aromas are holy shit this is on a different level. herb garden dill oregano mint and cinnamon that goes on for ever! no smoke very mouth coating. Pink lozenger candy. has a very warm feeling to it like something you’d want to curl up with on a cold night. honeydew mellon

Smoky and spicy. It has good body, light smoky flavor, strong bite on the tongue. Like an explosion in your mouth.

Nose: lemon zest and chlorine
On the higher end of the heat spectrum, pretty strong alcohol.
Spearmint, citric acid, vanilla, grapefruit pith, and bitter amaro on the mouth.
Fairly weak aftertaste.

A familiar mexicano flavor profile of medium to high complexity, in my book. Probably wouldn’t go out of my way to seek it out.

Batch XAO14-17 10/890 Spearmint gum, orange peel, bell peppers and a sweet finish.

Very approachable in the first sniff. The alcohol is noticeable but fades. The texture is creamy with melon and citrus. Just enough herbal green to push the aromatics and enhance, rather than turn to mint. The most exciting thing is the ester effect that takes hold as it sits. Banana and Mango develop and reward you for the paced sipping.

MJ03-15.
Great & clean smell and overall taste. I’m still not the biggest fan of a Mexicano, but this one gives nothing to complain about (and could be my favorite to date). Cream with vegetal notes on both smell & taste. Also very sweet & smooth, but not as deep or complex or unique enough to get more of a higher rating for me. Review #44

A sample I’d somehow left lying around.. glad I found it.
Fairly subdued but still pleasant citrus nose.
Brown sugar, caramel, grapefruit, lemon peel, pepper on the palate.
Lovely rich, smooth mouthfeel.
Nice lingering sweet, slightly hot finish.
Delicious.

hot and yummy. buy and enjoy – rinse repeat

Batch XAO014-17

Thick, rich, mouth feel. Lots of honey, pepper, pineapple, melon and jalapeño pepper. Really complex, lots going on.

Whew, this is downright lovely. I could drink this all day. This shows off so much great Mexicano character, in a way that just jives with my palate.

Batch MJ38-15. I recently had a madrecuixe made by Alberto Ortiz for Palenqueros, which was quite alcoholic and dominated by one perfumy flavour. It was not to my liking. This one is completely different: a light, silky and elegant mezcal. And, yet, it’s very complex with citrus, brown sugar, salt, caramel, butter, cinnamon and cedar/sandalwood. Beautiful! Close to five stars.

XA014-17
Pretty classic, sandalwood, earthy spices, caramel, asparagus and lime. Red Hots and red licorice too. A little thin, not hot, acidic. Smoke is present and rustic with a more candied finish. Feels a little thin compared to other batches. 6/10.

This is a very soft and understated Mezcal.

The nose is elegant and floral with a nice citrus undertone that’s not overpowering.

The pallet is rich and soft with notes of candy and cooked agave. The finish lingers with a citrus brightness. This mezcal didn’t necessarily wow me but it’s a very smooth easy drinker at a good price.

MJ09-14 48%ABV 574/600: Absolutely delicious. Wonderful when I opened this bottle about three years ago. Perhaps even more wonderful now. I can’t comment on other batches but if you see this one, buy it! Satisfaction guaranteed.

I love this. One of the best and most interesting mezcals I’ve had. Not sure of the lot, but I had it at Ghost Donkey in NYC. Definitely floral, perfumey and complex with taste of lemon curd or dried lemon peel throughout, which is the really unique flavor that makes this special

Batch 17J03-15: 4.5 stars – Beautiful. Clean, complex, ethereal flavors. Delicate floral, honeysuckle, and mild citrus notes. Definitely a ‘perfumed’ quality, but not overwhelming. Batch XA012-17: 2.5 stars – smells like watered down rubbing alcohol and a tiny bit of vanilla in the distance. A shell of its former self. The palette has some very faint similarities to that of the previous batch, but as if diluted with neutral grain spirits.

Alberto Ortiz | Batch MJ03-15

Finally back in Chicago and able to open up the bottle I grabbed in San Diego. My second taste by Alberto Ortiz in the last 24 hours and just as smooth – clean, tropical fruity, and delicious. Alongside my new copitas and some not so light but very interesting reading. (Agaves of Continental North America)

Closer to 4.5/5

Yummy

Nose: A little shy, takes a few minutes in the glass to open up, but when it does, what a nose. Bags of citrus, limes, lemons, grapefruits, yuzu, lemon grass, bergamot, yuzu, avocado, lime leaves, shoe polish, baked clay and a touch of cider vinegar and bee’s wax.

Taste: Very much like the nose, full of bitter citrus peels, fruit acids, and bitter botanicals.

Comments: It’s as good as everyone is saying it is, bright and rich and wonderful.