Mezonte Jalisco is a small batch Raicilla from the beautiful state of Jalisco, Mexico. There are different batches of this that have been exported.
About this raicilla
The first US imported batch of Mezonte Jalisco was distilled by Santos Juarez using maguey Alineno and Cimarrón in Toliman, Jalisco. While this was produced in Tequila-country, the production of this Raicilla is a far cry from what you’d see in modern Tequila. The agaves are cooked in an underground oven, milled by hand with axes, and distilled in a copper and wood still.
The second US imported batch of Mezonte Jalisco was made by Lorenzo Virgen in Chancuellar, Jalisco using over 10 different agave varietals. The agave were cooked in an underground pit oven, fermented with spring water, and distilled in copper with Pine and Parota Wood.
Mezonte
Mezonte is a noprofit organization that promotes, supports, and preserves the production and practices of traditional agave spirits. Mezonte’s main objective is to create awareness of the cultural and biological value that these spirits represent. They feature agave spirits from all over Mexico, with an emphasis on Jalisco and Michoacán. Their producers make mezcal, raicilla, barranca, tuxca, sikua, or any other name used for distilled agave in this region. When Mezonte buys a batch from a producer, they only buy 60% of the batch because they want the community and the culture of the community to continue to consume and enjoy as they have for hundreds of years.
Learn more about Mezonte:
- Mezonte Supports Family Producers & Damn Good Mezcal on the K&L Wines Spirits Journal blog
Review this bottle
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free2roca
8 reviews2022 Don Santos. Cimarron agave. Rock fermented and distilled with a Filipino still. 45% abv. Some fine white particulates in the bottle. Soft roast agave on the nose. At first the flavors are kind of subtle but they ramp up towards the finish. Enjoyable and easy to sip.
Jam
149 reviews46% abv, 2019 lote 02, Lorenzo Virgen. Ensamble is cenizo, cimarron prieto, cimarron, ixtero amarillo
Review #124: the nose has chlorine, strawberry, and nail polish remover.
The palate tart strawberry, bubblegum, vinegar, lemon juice, mint, and nail polish remover.
I side by sided this with the maguey melate virgen ensamble that had mostly the same agaves. It was definitely similar but didn’t have as much of a punch to it that the melate did. This one had a bit more citrus but less of that puke-y butyric note I got, but still plenty of acetone. I just wish this had a bit less of the astringent notes and more potency on the fruits.
46% abv, 2019 lote 02, Lorenzo Virgen. Ensamble is cenizo, cimarron prieto, cimarron, ixtero amarillo
Review #124: the nose has chlorine, strawberry, and nail polish remover.
The palate tart strawberry, bubblegum, vinegar, lemon juice, mint, and nail polish remover.
I side by sided this with the maguey melate virgen ensamble that had mostly the same agaves. It was definitely similar but didn’t have as much of a punch to it that the melate did. This one had a bit more citrus but less of tha
Average José
54 reviews* Distilled by: Santos Juarez
* Lot: 02
* Year: 2018
* Liters Produced: 115
* ABV: 47%
Wild! Loud funk and cheese, I love it. Both spicy and creamy at the same time, I am quite impressed.
Earthy and slightly fruity undertones are first followed by mild red bell pepper. Roasted agave next that quickly fades into a strong ethanol finish that goes away before it became too overpowering.
The rapid fade and the high price point through force me to give this otherwise very well-made spirit a 4 but I will definitely grab a vaso of it anytime I can find it out in the wild.
* Distilled by: Santos Juarez
* Lot: 02
* Year: 2018
* Liters Produced: 115
* ABV: 47%
Wild! Loud funk and cheese, I love it. Both spicy and creamy at the same time, I am quite impressed.
Earthy and slightly fruity undertones are first followed by mild red bell pepper. Roasted agave next that quickly fades into a strong ethanol finish that goes away before it became too overpowering.
The rapid fade and the high price point through force me to give this otherwise very well-made spirit a 4 but I w
COak
228 reviews2022. 48.5%. No lot. Alineño y cimarròn ensemble. Santos Juarez. This isn’t what you’d expect raicilla to taste like, gives me espadin vibes. The nose has cinnamon sticks. The palate is like a frosted cinnamon roll. I liked it enough to buy a bottle from the Mezonte tasting room.
aarild
152 reviewsNo batch, but from what I saw it is an angustifolia from one maguey. Smells of almond and baked pear as well as some discreet notes of lactic acid. Very light smoke. Palate follows suit with nice vanilla, pear, cassia cinnamon and Brazil nuts, slight hint of burnt rubber in a good way. Very interesting interplay between nutty and fruity, really surprising for a raicilla on angustifolia.
Americana Kyle
60 reviewsFor the price I was a bit underwhelmed but I still enjoyed this, I just wouldnt buy a bottle.
Zack Klamn
542 reviewsNose – Light nose, subtle cinnamon roll note.
Palate – Cinnabon sugary awesomeness with a funky, cream cheese topping.
Digging into this 1.5 oz pour in a Morelia mezcalaria, I think I want another.
SoloAgave
86 reviewsThis is the 2020 edition – 5 magueys – 600 L. Expensive in the states but worth a try if you get the chance and want to try something different. I just got the taste of really sweet hay/grass. Barnyard vibes on this one. Seems like they have a lot of flavor/quality diversity with this expression but unique nonetheless.
AdrianM
19 reviewsLorenzo & Tomas Virgen / 6 Magueyes: Ixtero Amarillo, Alineno, Motosierra, Cimarron Enano, Cimarron Prieto y Cenizo. 47% abv. Region of Chancuellar, JAL.
Unbearable. Pretty much the same as the previous review. Pungent, nail polish smell on the nose. Acetone.
TzotollineRaramuri
75 reviews45v – Batch 04 by both Virgen Senior and Junior; 11 maguey blend.
?- clear
?- pungent and prickling impact.
Aromas of acetone, ethyl acetate & acetic acid.
Trace production aroma.
Average length and unpleasant character.
?- astringent effect; dried out, flat & flabby alcohol; light body.
Primarily sour, chemical taste.
Burning mouth feel up front.
Flavors of acetone.
Light concentration flavor intensity.
Unbalanced.
Unpleasant and short finish.
Poor overall impression.
*Faulted spirit; lacks organoleptic soundness. Faulted by ethyl acetate & acetic acid. Watered down nail polish remover.
There is no structure. No viscosity. No complexity. No character of raw material, or category.
Should not be bottled nor for sale.
Worst spirit ever evaluated.
Learn more about organoleptic evaluation at the International Wine & Spirits Guild’s seminar in Fine Spirits,
or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.
45v – Batch 04 by both Virgen Senior and Junior; 11 maguey blend.
?- clear
?- pungent and prickling impact.
Aromas of acetone, ethyl acetate & acetic acid.
Trace production aroma.
Average length and unpleasant character.
?- astringent effect; dried out, flat & flabby alcohol; light body.
Primarily sour, chemical taste.
Burning mouth feel up front.
Flavors of acetone.
Light concentration flavor intensity.
Unbalanced.
Unpleasant and short finish.
Poor overall impression.
*Faulted spi
Gregg T&T
100 reviewsSantos – Buttered popcorn. Round mouthfeel, spicy notes of black pepper with a medium finish. 3.5/5
Lorenzo – Sweet notes mixed with sour on the nose – wild berries and lactic cheese funk. Palate provides is a little tart and zesty, citric notes. Finish is sharp and long, very interesting. 4/5
Tyler
641 reviewsA unique spirit with flavors of tobacco, pink peppercorn, and dry leather. Used coffee grounds and a slight gorgonzola funk. It’s interesting but not exciting. This was my least favorite from the Mezonte line. Nothing really bothers me with this raicilla, except the price. Agaves Alineño y Cimarrón, distiller Santos Juárez. Batch 02 from 2018, 115 liters total.
Mansson
71 reviewsLot 01, distilled 2018 by Santos Juárez. Alineño/Cimarrón ensamble. A very enjoyable and well-balanced destilado. It’s creamy and sweet with notes of blueberries, elderflower and cinnamon. Also some tobacco and minerals. Although I believe it’s in reality a raicilla, I don’t find the funk and cheese often associated with that category of agave spirits. Instead, it’s clean and fruity.
Lady_Lauren
3 reviewsBlown away by the elderflower and cinnamon tasting notes. Tobacco in the best way, too.
I was expecting something totally different from a Raicilla but was pleasantly surprised.
Spirit_Chaser
20 reviewsBatch 1, 2018 by Santos Juarez.
Definitely got the funk. Aromas of cheese (blue cheese mixed with cream cheese), strawberries, chalk, play-doh, barnyard aromas, very earthy yet herbal like a good rooibos tea, grilled brocollini, grapefruit pith, and smoldering earth notes, amongst other stuff I can’t quite put my finger on. Taste is very green upfront with loads of roasted agave and tropical notes like papaya and mango along with butter toffee which goes into a beautiful mineral note like wet cement which lasts through the long smoky finish with more roasted agave and blueberries peeking through. This is a wondrous raicilla and one of the best agave spirits I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. So much going on.
Batch 1, 2018 by Santos Juarez.
Definitely got the funk. Aromas of cheese (blue cheese mixed with cream cheese), strawberries, chalk, play-doh, barnyard aromas, very earthy yet herbal like a good rooibos tea, grilled brocollini, grapefruit pith, and smoldering earth notes, amongst other stuff I can’t quite put my finger on. Taste is very green upfront with loads of roasted agave and tropical notes like papaya and mango along with butter toffee which goes into a beautiful mineral note li
TheAgaveFairy
169 reviews46.5% Alineno y cimarron y ixtero amarillo. 2018, 20L by Santos Juarez
Nose: “Spicy mulch”, lots of earth tones and leather / tobacco kinda tones as well. Beef jerky seasoned with black pepper, pu-ehr teas, lapsang suochong teas, maybe some Angostura as well. Lots of deep notes. There’s a mild acidic note and hints of that “yeasty / cheese funk” thing. For brighter notes, dried lime peel, caramel, hawthorne, wild berries with the bramble notes too, some bitter oranges, clove, ground nutmeg.
Palate: A little more funky than the nose would tell you on entry, but with a really nice sweetness on the main palate with robust agave flavor. The palate development from the tip of the tongue to the finish is really quite a fun journey.
46.5% Alineno y cimarron y ixtero amarillo. 2018, 20L by Santos Juarez
Nose: “Spicy mulch”, lots of earth tones and leather / tobacco kinda tones as well. Beef jerky seasoned with black pepper, pu-ehr teas, lapsang suochong teas, maybe some Angostura as well. Lots of deep notes. There’s a mild acidic note and hints of that “yeasty / cheese funk” thing. For brighter notes, dried lime peel, caramel, hawthorne, wild berries with the bramble notes too, some bitter oranges, clove, ground nu
Rakhal
421 reviewsBatch 01, 2018. I was looking forward to trying this one but I was a little disappointed. Made with Agave Alineno and Agave Cimarrón which I believe are either subspecies or local names for Agave Angustifolia and Agave Salmiana Crassispina. It’s got some funk, like an aged blue cheese. Cinnamon, kaffir lime leaf, and brick dust. The finish was short and uninteresting. It’s fine, but nothing special.
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsWonderful raicilla. Only problem is that it doesnt come cheap.