Pal’alma Oaxaca – Tobaxiche is made by Simeon & Apolonio Ramirez who use a single pass copper refrescadera still that is mostly unique to this region of Oaxaca.
About this destilado de agave
Pal’alma Oaxaca – Tobaxiche is made by Simeon & Apolonio Ramirez in the community of San Agustin Amatengo, Oaxaca. While their mezcales have been exported to the US under other labels, Erick Rodriguez (Pal’Alma) was the first to bottle their work commercially, for his Almamezcalera label in CDMX. The local style in Ejutla produces mezcal after just a single pass on the still, using what is known as a refrescadera — a hybrid condenser column, featuring a couple of plates, allowing a rich and deep mezcal at higher ABV.
Pal'alma
Pal’alma (or Mezcalito Pal’alma) is curated by Erick Rodriguez. Erick also bottles under the brand Almamezcalera. Known by many as the Indiana Jones of Mezcal, Erick Rodriguez works with agave spirits producers from the 20+ states of Mexico. Anywhere he finds agave fields and a freshwater stream, there’s a good chance that someone is making mezcal nearby. He has a private tasting room in Mexico City, which we visited in 2017, and wrote about in our post Almamezcalera & Mezcalito Pal’alma.
Review this bottle
Login or create an account to add your tasting notes
JDB
181 reviewsMarch 20, 2018, Lot #5, Bottle 46/52, 58% abv
I have a bottle of Apolonio’s jabalí that I picked up from Erick in 2022 as well, this hits at the same abv as this tobaxiche but was rested in glass whereas this toabaxiche was not. .
Smells of a karwinskii: grass, wet soil, bit of dandelion, tart fruit, and caramel sweetness.
Very hot and powerful – a lot of black pepper heat up front and on the backend, tart lemonade or lemon heads (the candy), astringent with a bit of soap, sour fruit like green apple or underripe pear, candied nuts or maybe caramel popcorn, powdered sugar, and pine needles. Does provide a warm afterglow of karwinskii goodness as a lingering flavor on your palate.
I do prefer the resting in glass from Erick’s producers/mezcaleros, but this expression has some complexity and nuance underneath that heat once the copita gets some air. I think the heat mellows a bit more in the high proofs when they are rested in glass. Other reviewers picked up on some of the same notes with the tartness, fruit elements, and nuts.
March 20, 2018, Lot #5, Bottle 46/52, 58% abv
I have a bottle of Apolonio’s jabalí that I picked up from Erick in 2022 as well, this hits at the same abv as this tobaxiche but was rested in glass whereas this toabaxiche was not. .
Smells of a karwinskii: grass, wet soil, bit of dandelion, tart fruit, and caramel sweetness.
Very hot and powerful – a lot of black pepper heat up front and on the backend, tart lemonade or lemon heads (the candy), astringent with a bit of soap, sour f
Imperium
109 reviewsTasting at Erick’s house in CDMX in 2023.
The best expression of tobasiche I’ve ever had. So juicy and good. It just contained all the flavors that a good karwinskii should have, both green and woody, nutty and fruity. I wish I had gotten a bottle but went with the salmiana and coyote instead.
cagliostro
32 reviewsAlmamezcalera Oaxaca Tobaxiche (58%) (tasted blind)
lot: lote 5 (march 2018)
nose: quite floral, honeydew, juniper, honey, pink lemonade, apricot, lemongrass, creamy cashews
palate: hazelnuts, guava, milky oolong, a subdued florality, finishes is huge mostly nuts and florals
definitely copper, my gut is saying don valente on the nose, but something about this palate feels pretty aquilino. remarkably full mouthfeel, very expressive. it’s less nutty than the aquilino espadins i’ve had. 8+/10
guess: aquilino ensamble? maybe espadin + karwinskii around 51% abv. i’m guessing 2013 batch.
reveal: almamezcalera oaxaca tobaxiche apolonio ramirez cruz lote 5 (march 2018)
Almamezcalera Oaxaca Tobaxiche (58%) (tasted blind)
lot: lote 5 (march 2018)
nose: quite floral, honeydew, juniper, honey, pink lemonade, apricot, lemongrass, creamy cashews
palate: hazelnuts, guava, milky oolong, a subdued florality, finishes is huge mostly nuts and florals
definitely copper, my gut is saying don valente on the nose, but something about this palate feels pretty aquilino. remarkably full mouthfeel, very expressive. it’s less nutty than the aquilino espadins i’ve had.
Zack Klamn
542 reviewsNose – A burnt wooden matchstick. Damp soil. Lime citrus. Baked apples drizzled with sweet cream.
Palate – Leathery. Lychee. Dry finish of tobacco leaf and a slight champagne note. Not too hot for 56%, great flavors! I really like this high proof.
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsAnother winner from Erick. Had side by side with RM Largo and wad very similar. Pineapples, slate, leather. This bottle is gonna go quick