Mezonte Tepe is produced by Aciano Mendoza in a remote region of the Tepehuano Community at the intersection of Jalisco, Nayarit, and Durango.
About this raicilla
Despite it’s name, Mezonte Tepe is NOT made with maguey Tepextate. Instead this gets it’s name from the Tepehuano community where it’s produced, at the border of Jalisco, Nayarit, and Durango. This reclusive community insists on isolation from western culture and the specific location of this distiller is somewhat mysterious. This spirit is made with maguey Cenizo (Agave bovicornuta). The term Cenizo is used to describe a lot of different agaves, and in this case this agave is also commonly referred to as maguey Lechuguilla Verde. While we call this spirit a Raicilla for ease of use on this site, there are certain groups that consider this a completely different agave spirit outside of the world of Raicilla.
There are many different releases of this Mezonte Tepe. Many of them are made with different types of agaves like Boviconuta, Masparillo, Shrevei, and more. Also, Aciano usually uses the destilador de pino con culebra de cobre for his distillation, but his copper pot was stolen at one point, so he had to makeshift a new still. The new/temporary still used clay pots for the batches made during that time period. He’s since bought a new copper pot and is once again distilling with the destilador de pino con culebra de cobre. Check your bottles for details.
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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KyraNicole
57 reviewssmells like new tennis balls; tastes like white pepper; only 60 liters made
jlum4
11 reviews009 masparillo
really interesting, heavy citrus and lemongrass, smoke in the background and on the finish
D_rat
1 reviewReally enjoyed this one! A nice mix of tropical fruits and mildly lactic. My first Masparillo, looking forward to trying more.
Jose M. Aguayo
11 reviewsNose: minty fresh
Taste: lemon grass, cheese, funky; long finish
betweentwotobalas
24 reviewsBatch 009, 2021, 80 Litres. A. shrevei. 51% ABV.
Thanks to Jonny for solving the mystery of Aciano’s clay and copper batches (see updated description); and cheers to the few that have his clay pot. To those that have his copper batch shrevei (a first for me) take your time with it as it continues to improve long after opening. The closest comparable would be Zack’s “mint heat the whole way and quite dry”. The nose and palate are interchangeable with subtle notes of acetone, vanilla bean, pomelo and raw greens. The finish is rich in alkalized cocoa, Smarties shell, chlorophyl Certs, black pepper and rubber sneaker. Note, the taste sticks with you, even the day after. Wild.
Batch 009, 2021, 80 Litres. A. shrevei. 51% ABV.
Thanks to Jonny for solving the mystery of Aciano’s clay and copper batches (see updated description); and cheers to the few that have his clay pot. To those that have his copper batch shrevei (a first for me) take your time with it as it continues to improve long after opening. The closest comparable would be Zack’s “mint heat the whole way and quite dry”. The nose and palate are interchangeable with subtle notes of aceton
JDB
165 reviewsLot 9, 2022 140 liter batch, 49.5% abv,masparillo
I got to try Mezonte Tepe for the first time at Mirate in Los Angeles where they had multiple bottles to sample. The bar staff were very knowledgeable and had a great selection of Mezonte bottles (in addition to other brands). What an amazing mezcal! I sprung for this bottle at El Cerrito Liquor in Corona. These bottles are not cheap, nor should they be. The flavors are layered and the quality shines through. Minerality is the first thing you notice, and a eucalyptus note hits up front, a Pinesol-like whiff, with a ginger flavor bordering on sarsaparilla maybe closer to ginger ale with a touch of carbonation. There is some tartness/astringency/salinity in the background. Wow, the balance is incredible, and the heat just hangs around in the background to remind you. The other reviews hit on the lime note (bitter lime), no funk on this masparillo though. Worth every peso.
Lot 9, 2022 140 liter batch, 49.5% abv,masparillo
I got to try Mezonte Tepe for the first time at Mirate in Los Angeles where they had multiple bottles to sample. The bar staff were very knowledgeable and had a great selection of Mezonte bottles (in addition to other brands). What an amazing mezcal! I sprung for this bottle at El Cerrito Liquor in Corona. These bottles are not cheap, nor should they be. The flavors are layered and the quality shines through. Minerality is the first thing
Metl_heads
8 reviewsWhiskey nose, plum, leather, blackberry, rubber water balloons at bbq
Roast: 8/10
Joyeverino
1 reviewProbably one of the best raicillas I had so far. It smells like a rainy day, and tastes cheesy with a little taste of piloncillo.
Americana Kyle
60 reviewsMy favorite offering from the Mezonte line. This is a beast of a Lechuguilla and I’m for it. Will be buying a bottle as soon as I find one.
COak
229 reviewsLot 3. Masparillo I believe. Maybe not as great as the other batches. The nose is inviting, it’s funky and complex. It has a long finish, lemon rinds and lemon grass. Not something I’d reach for again and again.
zeepuzzler
25 reviewsLot 04 from 2019.
Major pâtisserie vibes on the nose with aromas of turbinado sugar, sour pie cherries, vanilla custard, pâte à choux, and candied lime. The mouthfeel is viscous, silky, and so so so smooth; there’s no burn on this one. Darker, more sophisticated flavors come through on the palate: blueberries, brown sugar, marscarpone, and kirsch. It tingles on the back end, finishing with New York cheesecake, ripe Damson plums, Italian pizzelles, raw walnuts, and an echo of cappuccino on the sides of my tongue.
This is one seriously refined spirit! So luxurious and sexy. Worthy of little black dress occasions.
Lot 04 from 2019.
Major pâtisserie vibes on the nose with aromas of turbinado sugar, sour pie cherries, vanilla custard, pâte à choux, and candied lime. The mouthfeel is viscous, silky, and so so so smooth; there’s no burn on this one. Darker, more sophisticated flavors come through on the palate: blueberries, brown sugar, marscarpone, and kirsch. It tingles on the back end, finishing with New York cheesecake, ripe Damson plums, Italian pizzelles, raw walnuts, and an echo of cappucci
Joseph
26 reviewsLote 04:
Buttery, luscious, and ethereal with loads of complexity and layers of flavor. Hard to pinpoint the specific flavors, but that’s what I love about it.
I’ve had the Cenizo batches 01, 02, and 04. Though they are all different in subtle ways, they are all of a similar caliber.
I’ve tasted batch 04 Masparillo as well, and it had some similarities but with a totally bewildering addition of a stark soapy enigmatic quality that erupted suddenly and faded into oblivion. 4 stars for that one.
Lote 04:
Buttery, luscious, and ethereal with loads of complexity and layers of flavor. Hard to pinpoint the specific flavors, but that’s what I love about it.
I’ve had the Cenizo batches 01, 02, and 04. Though they are all different in subtle ways, they are all of a similar caliber.
I’ve tasted batch 04 Masparillo as well, and it had some similarities but with a totally bewildering addition of a stark soapy enigmatic quality that erupted suddenly and faded into oblivion. 4 stars for that
Zack Klamn
542 reviewsNose – Opening a box of fresh, Air Jordans. Blueberries.
Palate – So much going on with this, it’s an absolute whirlwind. Intense mint heat the whole way and quite dry. Insane clay notes too. Rubber plant, flower stem and wet, cigarette tobacco in the finish which doesn’t sound appealing but it works.
I only got a 2 oz pour in a bar in Michoacan and it probably deserves further inspection, – this is a complex, mind bending sipper.
SoloAgave
86 reviews2020 Fruity, rich, round, silky, and a little wild. The the cost of bottle out of the equation (unlikely I know) and you have a beautiful clay pot expression that is really impressive and would be a crowd pleaser for any agave spirits enthusiasts.
meserole
73 reviews2018 Lote 1 / batch 1
Acidic, strong alcohol on the tongue, with peppery herbs like nasturtium, bitter lime, and a pretty exotic assemblage of flavors that combine into a sharp perfume-like profile. I can understand folks loving this, but not for me, and worth noting a bottle runs $150+ in USA which puts this in league with a lot of other bottles I’d reach for over this (from Neta, El Jolgorio, Real Minero, etc)
LittleArm
32 reviewsLot 4 from 2019. Smells like fruity cake batter and rain. Crazy smooth! Initial taste is mildly briney and cheesy (not funky, just cheesy) then turns really fruity, buttery and almost meaty. Savory and sweet.
I’m going to be looking for a bottle asap.
AdamCA
16 reviewsLote 01, 2018. This is every bit as good as everyone else says. Maybe the best alcohol I’ve ever had, right up there with those from Almamezcalera. It’s incredibly complex with a series of contrasting flavors hitting one after the other in a perfectly harmonious way. It packs huge flavor with almost no burn. Dangerously drinkable. The mouthfeel is creamy and it’s light and sweet and funky, fruity and cheesy, with some clay notes all at once. Worth the money.
donpedro
39 reviewsLot 4, 2019, Cenizo, 300L, 5/5 stars
I completely agree with the reviewers of Lot 2 on this one – funky pear and cheese (cotija) with brown sugar and petrol. Some lime and cherry hiding there as well. Very smooth with minimal heat. There is that almost rubber/ammonia flavor similar to sharp Brie. Viscous and complex on the palate, with further brown sugar, berry, clay, and roasted agave. Delightfully acidic, it pairs well with a wide range of plates.
Very good stuff!
Lot 5, 2019, Masparillo, 250L, 4.5/5 stars
Pineapple, lime sherbet meets lemonade, cherry. This has far more tropical than berry fruit notes. Also, less cotija flavors than lot 4, and the rubber/ammonia element is still there but takes more of a backseat. Outstanding how consistent the base flavors are to the other lots, even with a change in agave. For me, lot 4 for was a bit funkier, but this is really outstanding as well!
Lot 4, 2019, Cenizo, 300L, 5/5 stars
I completely agree with the reviewers of Lot 2 on this one – funky pear and cheese (cotija) with brown sugar and petrol. Some lime and cherry hiding there as well. Very smooth with minimal heat. There is that almost rubber/ammonia flavor similar to sharp Brie. Viscous and complex on the palate, with further brown sugar, berry, clay, and roasted agave. Delightfully acidic, it pairs well with a wide range of plates.
Very good stuff!
Lot 5, 2019, Masparil
TrogdordeFuegoanator
40 reviewsLot 1, 110 liters, 2018. 48%. Aciano Mendoza. Agave Cenizo.
Wonderfully expressive and oily on the nose, as expected. Tons of layers of flavor first sip, quenching the thirst but leaving you wanting. So you have more. Equally impressive every sip onward. A terrific spirit which was obviously extremely well made.
Mansson
71 reviewsLot 02, distilled 2018. Oh yes, just what one needs after another sad day of confinement – or any type of day, actually! Lots of flavours but balanced and soft at the same time. Warming without burn. Sandalwood, brown sugar, liquorice, milk chocolate, some cheese, all the time with a clear, underlying taste of agave. Very long aftertaste.