Mezcalero No. 14 is made from maguey Arroqueno, and the clay pot distillation that is used in production softens the Arroqueno’s intensity.
About this mezcal
Mezcalero No. 14 was made from semi-wild maguey Arroqueno (agave Americana) that was harvested from a remote canyon three hours southwest of Oaxaca. It was distlled in clay potstills by Felipe Jesús Rios of Potrero. The clay still used in production rounds out the Arroqueno’s intensity and gives it a much softer mouth-feel.
Mezcalero Mezcal
Each Mezcalero bottling is true to the fundamental batch nature of artisan Mezcal production. Each bottling is distilled from a single integral batch of agaves that are at least 50% wild or semi-wild, and usually 100%. These “silvestre” agaves take a lot of work to harvest: searching for days in the mountains, packing the agaves back on burros. After that, it takes a month of continuous labor to produce a single batch of Mezcalero, usually 600-700 bottles. Mezcalero is both a brand and an intention. The brand is a way for talented artisan distillers to work with, and gain part of their livelihood from, some very special agaves. The intention goes deeper: to help preserve a way of distilling that is also a way of life, deeply linked to the distiller’s family, to his social environs, to his pueblo, to an entire way of life largely deriving from indigenous culture that is at risk of rapid deterioration under pressure from the modernization of Mexico.
Craft Distillers’ tasting video
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rsidrys
50 reviewsOn the nose I get his overwhelming scent that always makes me think of jumping into a refreshing pool. I know that’s obscure sounding, but I think the feeling comes from fresh/bright herbal notes…OR…as I took a peak at some of the other reviews, maybe it’s the clay minerality that was hitting me. I didn’t know this was clay pot distilled at the time I was drinking it. Either way, it was so apparent, it almost made me think I was accidentally served #13 which has the herbaceous tasting Tepeztate in it.
So yes, there was definitely minerality and cooked agave on the nose. Got spice, minerals, and light smoke on the mouth, and it had a long finish which I always enjoy. Outside of the nose, I found it to be balanced.
On the nose I get his overwhelming scent that always makes me think of jumping into a refreshing pool. I know that’s obscure sounding, but I think the feeling comes from fresh/bright herbal notes…OR…as I took a peak at some of the other reviews, maybe it’s the clay minerality that was hitting me. I didn’t know this was clay pot distilled at the time I was drinking it. Either way, it was so apparent, it almost made me think I was accidentally served #13 which has the
Jonny
729 reviewsLots of clay on the nose. The clay really overpowers this one. It’s very colloidal in mouthfeel, like running your hand over wet clay. It’s good on it’s own, but considering this is a Mezcalero and Arroqueno, I would expect a bit more. Don’t get me wrong, this is a good mezcal. I just have high expectation out of what this brand releases.
Tyler
667 reviewsClay heavy on the nose. Peppery with caramel and clay on the palate. Not as complex or interesting as other arroqueños I’ve tried. Still, a tasty mezcal but not the best showing of this agave especially considering the rarity and price point.