Real Minero Largo, Tobala is made in the beautiful town of Santa Catarina Minas, Oaxaca, by maestro mezcalero Edgar Angeles.
About this mezcal
Real Minero Largo, Tobala is made with 57% Maguey Largo (agave Karwinskii) and 43% Maguey Tobala (agave Potatorum). Maestro Edgar Angeles Carreno hand-mashed the agave in a stone pit, fermented them with well water, and double distilled in Filipino style clay pot stills. The batch produced in April/May of 2019 produced just 212 liters.
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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Bryen
68 reviewsThey brought this pour out to me by accident (ordered a different RM ensamble instead) but I wasn’t made about it! I’ve had this agave combo before but not the RM version and I enjoyed the clay aspect of this one.
ARMLT-03
Bottle 184/282
I found this one to be a bit more fruit forward and the tobala was a lot more present, which I don’t necessarily prefer but this was really smooth. I love RM because the taste is so rich in their mezcals and the smoothness for the abv is really remarkable and this was in line with that. Solid bottle.
They brought this pour out to me by accident (ordered a different RM ensamble instead) but I wasn’t made about it! I’ve had this agave combo before but not the RM version and I enjoyed the clay aspect of this one.
ARMLT-03
Bottle 184/282
I found this one to be a bit more fruit forward and the tobala was a lot more present, which I don’t necessarily prefer but this was really smooth. I love RM because the taste is so rich in their mezcals and the smoothness for the abv is really remarkable
mt_rainyer
43 reviewsARMLT-03 (tasted in 2021)
Very big Real Minero fan typically. Cool idea in concept, but to me an overly peanut/nutty flavor takes over the entire palate and becomes the primary taste, with hints of agave, straw, and a touch of fruit in the backdrop. I’ll be honest in that I don’t really taste the usual notes that I’d expect in either a largo or a tobala.
It would be 3.5 stars, but at this price point there are so many spectacular bottles.
Zack Klamn
542 reviewsNose – A burst of clay. Rose water. Raw artichoke.
Palate – An absolute lamb (heat wise) for nearly 53% – wow, crazy gentle! Celery sticks. M&Ms. Soft clay. Light salt in the finish to go with everything else. This is impressive as hell! Edgar, you beeeeeauty!!!
jmehrk35
46 reviewsBottle No: 134/282
Batch No: ARMLT-03
Harvest: 2019
52.48% ABV
57% Largo
43% Tobala
Master Palenquero: Edgar Angeles Carreño
Initial nasal impact is drying with slight prickle.
Raw cashews, honey and clay are first noticed on the aroma, followed by some smoked, ripe tropical fruit.
Generous alcohol and buttery mouthfeel. Initial flavor impact is sweet and drying.
Clay, eucalyptus, honey (especially on the retro hale) and honeysuckle dominate. This is well balanced. Complex/interesting enough to keep me pouring through multiple copitas. Not terribly complex, but can not find any faults.
The retro hale also accentuates the 52.48abv, otherwise you would think it was around 43-45%. I expected to be able to pick out the Tobala and the Largo, but I can’t. I guess therefore, it can be considered a very good ensemble. Does the Largo knock down the tobala sweetness?
Overall impression is very satisfying. Have not been disappointed with any Real Minero bottle so far.
Bottle No: 134/282
Batch No: ARMLT-03
Harvest: 2019
52.48% ABV
57% Largo
43% Tobala
Master Palenquero: Edgar Angeles Carreño
Initial nasal impact is drying with slight prickle.
Raw cashews, honey and clay are first noticed on the aroma, followed by some smoked, ripe tropical fruit.
Generous alcohol and buttery mouthfeel. Initial flavor impact is sweet and drying.
Clay, eucalyptus, honey (especially on the retro hale) and honeysuckle dominate. This is well balanced. Complex/interesting enough to
Tyler
654 reviewsMiddle of the road for me. Got excited by karwinskii-potatorum agave combo which has yielded incredible mezcales from copper-distilling producers in Miahuatlan. I’m not getting the distinct flavors of the two agaves. There is a compact mashup of nuts, clay, and smoked agave. It reminds me of the smells of the Real Minero palenque (in a good way). For me, it is not unique and not worth the high price. However, it is still a decent representation of Minas mezcal and one my partner really enjoys. Batch ARMLT-03. Bottle 139/282. 52.48%. Austin Shaker exclusive.
Middle of the road for me. Got excited by karwinskii-potatorum agave combo which has yielded incredible mezcales from copper-distilling producers in Miahuatlan. I’m not getting the distinct flavors of the two agaves. There is a compact mashup of nuts, clay, and smoked agave. It reminds me of the smells of the Real Minero palenque (in a good way). For me, it is not unique and not worth the high price. However, it is still a decent representation of Minas mezcal and one my partner really enj
Soxfan
18 reviewsEdgar Angeles has distilled two of my favorite agaves and produced an ensemble that is really quite remarkable. Layer after layer after layer of flavor after flavor after flavor, resulting in a sensory treat that will linger on your palate and in your mind.
Bravo! Batch ARMLT-03 from 2019 harvest. Bottle 247/282 52.48% ABV.
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsExactly what Jonny said. Wasnt incredible, but didnt have many, if any drawbacks. Not mad I bought the bottle in the least
Jonny
713 reviewsBatch ARMLT-03. Bottle 139/282. 52.48%. Aromas of peanuts, cream, and cashews. Full bodied. Not a knock-your-socks-off batch but still amazing. Like The War on Drugs, A Deeper Understanding album, mellow yet nuanced, delicate, and deep.