Real Minero Arroqueño is made with Maguey Arroqueño, which can take upwards of 20 years to mature. This Mezcal is made sustainably in very small batches.
About this mezcal
Real Minero Arroqueño is a very rare find as it is only made in extremely small batches. The maguey Arroqueño (Agave americana) takes an exceptionally long time to mature, which makes the sustainable production of this type of Mezcal a real challenge. Fortunately, Graciela, who runs Real Minero Operations, has a keen eye for sustainability in business. She is careful to continue her family’s tradition in the most environmental and ethical fashion possible.
Real Minero
Real Minero (previously Mezcal Real Minero) is considered by many to be one of the world’s finest mezcal producers. The Angeles family has been making mezcal for several generations in Santa Catarina Minas, Oaxaca. Their mezcal is made in small clay pot stills, and almost all of it is rested in glass for several months before bottling, giving the mezcal a much softer character. Outside of creating great spirits, they also have one of the largest and most diverse sustainable agave reforestation programs. With the help of the community, they’ve been able to rescue several agave varieties that were previously thought to be extinct. The ABV of each batch may vary slightly, so check your bottle for details.
In 2020, the brand began dropping the word “mezcal” from their labels. The term “traditional” replaces the CRM “ancestral” designation. Shortly thereafter, the brand officially parted ways with the certification process; all future releases will be labeled as “agave spirits” or something similar. Despite the label changes, nothing significant about their production process has changed over years.
Learn more:
- Real Minero agave nursery tour on Mezcal Reviews
- Real Minero palenque tour on Mezcal Reviews
- Listen to Graciela Angeles Carreño talk about her family’s production on the Show De Vie Podcast: Ep 291 – Graciela Angeles Carreño – The Real Thing.
Review this bottle
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Zack Klamn
509 reviewsNose – Fresh cut pineapple. Light cream cheese. Slight smokiness.
Palate – Two memorable tasting notes from this: a smoky, Pina Colada cocktail and a quality, cigar wrapper flavor. This was a 2 oz. copita, didn’t get the batch number from the bartender. Great stuff!
t8ke
144 reviewsBatch AMA-04 — Rich on the palate. Clove, funky garlic, clay, minerality, sweet cocoa and cream. A hint of cream cheese frosting. Lovely and interesting.
Fascinating, delicious, a good blend of savory and sweet flavors. This arroqueno really reaches deep to cement itself as a sublimely unique Arroqueno expression, and I can’t help but love every second of it.
rsidrys
50 reviewsBold bananas, caramel, and chocolate. Sweet, intense, and delicious. Could pass for a banana fosters liqueur. Tempted to buy a bottle, but it’s quite pricey.
ARMA-04, 2020
meserole
72 reviewsBy now I’ve learned that Arroqueños tend toward the “darker” side for mezcals. Not necessarily my cup of tea, but this one is exemplary. Pretty hot on the tongue, but after a bit of priming, flavors of leather, butter, root beer, and an overall salty/umami profile are quite rewarding.
Tasted at the Real Minero palenque in March 2021. Not sure of batch/lot details.
razorbackmike
137 reviewsnothing half way about this mezcal! perhaps the boldest i have ever had! clocks in at 53 %.nose is sweet with taffy and leather.palate is very dark and rich.dark spices,black pepper,molasses.i dont get any hint of lightness.heavy hitter with a finish that is dark,sweet and goes on for a week!this goes into my category of a winter mezcal.might be too much for hot weather.incredible!
TheAgaveFairy
168 reviewsWhite chocolate bomb. Waffle cones, vanilla, yeast, like, it’s a white chocolate bomb on the nose, browned butter, the lightest of brazil nut. Complex, slightest hint of plantain. Proof well in control. Fruitier coming from the Vago 2019 Arro en barro. At $193 or so, I think I’ll pass. Good, but the bar is really high as are the prices.
Rakhal
391 reviewsRMA-08. My favorite Real Minero. Very complex, interesting, well made Mezcal. Love this one!
Jonny
618 reviewsRMA-05 from 2016. Bottle 126/133. Aromas of spearmint, banana bread, and cantaloupe. The palate is incredible. It’s nutty with hints of rawhide and blueberry muffins. A little meaty and thick with notes of leather and mud. Minty finish. Super hard to find this but worth the hunt!
GreenspointTexas
382 reviews2013 vintage
Extremely complex
Long awesome finish
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