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Mezcalero No. 20

Mezcalero No. 20 is a small-batch limited release made in the tiny town of El Potrero, near Sola de Vega, Oaxaca. Like all Mezcalero releases, this is a one-time bottling so grab a taste while you can.

Rating: (9 reviews)
Brand:Mezcalero Mezcal
NOM:NOM-O14X
Mezcalero:Jesus Rios
Maguey:Arroqueño
Agave:Americana
Distillation:Clay Pot
Style:Aged in Glass
State:Oaxaca
Town:Sola de Vega
ABV: 48.5%
Batch size: 696 bottles
Release year: 2018
Website: http://craftdistillers.com/trade-info/mezcalero-info/, opens in new window

About this mezcal

Mezcalero No. 20 was distilled in a small clay pot still in May/June of 2015 by Don Jesus Rios in El Potrero, near Sola de Vega, Oaxaca. Don Jesus is also one of the producers of Alipus Destilado en Barro (San Miguel Sola), however his Alipus bottles have never been exported from Mexico. He also had a small batch released as Mezcalero No. 9 (along with Tio Leonardo and Tio Felix). Mezcalero No. 20 was made with semi-wild Arroqueño and it spent almost three years resting in a tank before being bottled. There are a total of 696 bottles at 48.5% ABV.

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.

Member rating

3.94 out of 5

9 reviews

Wanderingspider

Wanderingspider

55 reviews
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars5 months ago

From a 9 year old batch, so it may have lost some character but had to order when I saw it at the Denver Central Market.

Arroqueño
May/June 2015 (bottled in 3/18)
Lot 20J
Jesus Rios
48%

Tame nose with peppermint, dark chocolate and spiced fruit aromas and flavours.
Gentle creaminess with a medium length finish.

In its current state, I’d give it just below a 4 star. Happy to have tried though.

Bryen

Bryen

91 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars7 months ago

Grabbed this one today— slowly making my way through the Mezcalero series in a non linear fashion. First pour, somewhat unimpressed but wasn’t a massive price tag on this one given the age. Slight chocolate and mint and a bit of fruitiness but I would have guessed an Espadin in a blind taste test at this point. The texture and lingering mouthfeel is pleasant though. I’m hoping with the next few pours and opening up a bit that it will change and will certainly update my score if so! A bit of a letdown at this point, however.

Edit: this has been about half full for a month or so and I’m updating to 4 stars from 3.5. Getting more of the chocolate notes that others picked up and it’s much more enjoyable and complex now. Much darker than other arroquenos I’ve had but still solid. Feels less like an Espadin after sitting for a bit.

Grabbed this one today— slowly making my way through the Mezcalero series in a non linear fashion. First pour, somewhat unimpressed but wasn’t a massive price tag on this one given the age. Slight chocolate and mint and a bit of fruitiness but I would have guessed an Espadin in a blind taste test at this point. The texture and lingering mouthfeel is pleasant though. I’m hoping with the next few pours and opening up a bit that it will change and will certainly update my score if so! A bit o

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Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars4 years ago

No. 20J. March 2018. 696 bottles.

Hard to hate on Arroqueño but I was hoping for so much more! Some nice nuance but then it gets all too tailsy and the finish is cheap.

JessicaFey

JessicaFey

2 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars4 years ago

This one comes in hot but the roasted-y chocolate chili that finishes is absolute perfection.

GreenspointTexas

GreenspointTexas

385 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars6 years ago

Solid, not sure if exceptional. Gonna have to revisit. For now, 4/5

Nic Hnastchenko

Nic Hnastchenko

108 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars6 years ago

Lot 20J | Don Jesus Rios. Woah, chocolate and roasted, this is really good, strong bite but also so different from my 5 Sentidos Arroqueno at home. Had this last night and still thinking about that chocolate

El_Cura

El_Cura

31 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars6 years ago

Mezcal Arroqueño is Wonderful. I’ve tried Mezcaloteca’s and now this. Oily, minty, chocolatey with a hint of chiles. Get it at Moreno’s (Chicago) while it lasts.

thamthong

thamthong

47 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars6 years ago

for having rested ~3 years in tank, the teeth are still pretty sharp on this one. ethanol presence is a bit unwieldy. the nose for me was incredibly boozy, with hints of clay and fresh agave seeping through. drinks very nicely but alcohol presence is way more aggressive than 48.5% abv would suggest. “post-rain farmland” nails it, though for me the sweetness was more along the lines of cucumber and unripe papaya. pretty good kick before the long, anonymously sweet finish. this is a case of high expectations based on specs–love arroqueno, love mezcalero, aged 3 years–that weren’t quite met by what is otherwise a very good mezcal.

for having rested ~3 years in tank, the teeth are still pretty sharp on this one. ethanol presence is a bit unwieldy. the nose for me was incredibly boozy, with hints of clay and fresh agave seeping through. drinks very nicely but alcohol presence is way more aggressive than 48.5% abv would suggest. “post-rain farmland” nails it, though for me the sweetness was more along the lines of cucumber and unripe papaya. pretty good kick before the long, anonymously sweet finish. this i

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Jonny

Jonny

727 reviews
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars6 years ago

Wow! Like a dark cloud pulling a flash of white light from the ground. This stuff is awesome. Intense aromas of cinnamon, cocoa, and wet clay. Big and full on the nose. The first opening of the bottle is an incredible rush of rich aromas. The palate is balanced and thick. Slightly sweet tastes of chocolate covered strawberries and blueberries in cream. A little vanilla shortcake mixing with deep post-rain farmland. Long, semi-sweet finish. Love this!

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