Real Minero Largo is made with maguey Largo, which is similar or synonymous with Tobaziche, depending on the community and local nomenclature.
About this mezcal
Real Minero Largo is made with maguey Largo, which is a member of the Agave karwinskii family. Real Minero Largo can be peppery with notes of peanuts and coconut. It’s known by many as one of the finer mezcals on the market and it is reportedly the favorite of Graciela, who runs Real Minero operations.
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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Average José
41 reviews* Bottle: 63/133
* Batch: DRML-25
* Harvest: 2022
* ABV: 49.50% (Still Strength)
I found this to be an excellent Karwinskii.
Nose had a medium blue cheese funk that is balanced perfectly with some earthy clay tones, they all really presented themselves well together.
Rich soil, blueberries and a brief hint of mint were all present and give an excellent overall taste. The (again very pleasant) flavors quickly fade though and left behind a long lasting sweet yet slightly too much alcohol burn…
This is an excellent overall juice IMO that I would happily partake in again at any given time even with its’ larger price point. Great; not earth shattering but great.
* Bottle: 63/133
* Batch: DRML-25
* Harvest: 2022
* ABV: 49.50% (Still Strength)
I found this to be an excellent Karwinskii.
Nose had a medium blue cheese funk that is balanced perfectly with some earthy clay tones, they all really presented themselves well together.
Rich soil, blueberries and a brief hint of mint were all present and give an excellent overall taste. The (again very pleasant) flavors quickly fade though and left behind a long lasting sweet yet slightly too much alcohol burn̷
Imperium
78 reviewsBatch No. DRML-21 123/261
Bright pepper nose, some green trunk smell from the karwinskii, mineral notes. It smells better and better as you go.
Tastes like a smoky cuishe, with an after burn that continues that flavor profile. It’s intense. Meatiness is subsequent sips, peanut flavors and some clay in there. Stays a little too hot for my taste.
geralf75
11 reviewsThe flavor is light, but complex, it starts biting on the tongue
mt_rainyer
43 reviewsHave tried a few different batches of this over the years. My notes say:
RML 05 Don Lorenzo (ended up going through two bottles of this batch, notes are compilation of both):
Extremely boozy upon first opening. After sitting for a month, exceptional. Soft, supple that opens up into a world of dry pine and sage. It tastes the way a steppe/high plain smells just after a rain. The finish goes on for minutes and minutes slowly transitioning into something sweeter. It tastes almost like a juicier, more balanced madrecuishe.
5 stars, one of the best bottles I have had
RML 08 Edgar
Very different batch, this one has a peanut and mossy rock smell upon first opening up the bottle. Taste is on the sweeter end of the spectrum with flavors juicier and wetter. The finish also goes on forever, though flavor wise less balanced.
4 stars
RML 11 Edgar
More oily/richer on the palette – a bit bolder in flavor too. Somewhere between the two aforementioned batches in flavor. Lots of vegetation on the palette mixed with a sweetness. Incredibly balanced, though the finish doesn’t last along as either of the other bottles.
4.5 stars
Have tried a few different batches of this over the years. My notes say:
RML 05 Don Lorenzo (ended up going through two bottles of this batch, notes are compilation of both):
Extremely boozy upon first opening. After sitting for a month, exceptional. Soft, supple that opens up into a world of dry pine and sage. It tastes the way a steppe/high plain smells just after a rain. The finish goes on for minutes and minutes slowly transitioning into something sweeter. It tastes almost like a juicier, mo
JDB
130 reviewsBottle 226/248 Lot: DTRML-03 2019 ABV: 49.9%
Sampled several pours of this Largo at Deckman’s in Baja in January 2023. At about twelve dollars a pour, you do have to have several pours. Second time with a largo from Real Minero since 2017. Not as great the barrill and not as luscious as the cuish we purchased from real minero in 2017, but this is a great karwinskii nonetheless. Not the nose of other karwinskiis, not the grassy or herbal aromas. A bit of thyme though and light sweetness. The flavors are quite delicious. Spiciness, caramel, and that same light herbal essence. The clay is not as pronounced as the barrill but so well balanced.
Bottle 226/248 Lot: DTRML-03 2019 ABV: 49.9%
Sampled several pours of this Largo at Deckman’s in Baja in January 2023. At about twelve dollars a pour, you do have to have several pours. Second time with a largo from Real Minero since 2017. Not as great the barrill and not as luscious as the cuish we purchased from real minero in 2017, but this is a great karwinskii nonetheless. Not the nose of other karwinskiis, not the grassy or herbal aromas. A bit of thyme though and
Metl_heads
8 reviewsGreen, mineral, tropical fruit, clay, floral, anise
Roast: 7/10
logar
20 reviewsSoft, fruity, very fresh and with slightly smoky, friendly aroma. The flavor is light, but complex, it starts biting on the tongue and spreads through the throat. The taste remains for a while and it gradually disappears. Great flavor, very friendly.
aarild
150 reviewsSmells of pine needle, dried mango and red wine gums. An alcohol burn strikes on the palate at first, but is quickly followed by coconut and peanut with the brown skin on, mace, dates, carambola and papaya. Lingers nicely, clay influence is just a base note
throughout. A bit disappointed over the alcohol bite, but it was soon forgotten. Not quite as viscous mouthfeel as I would expect from all the reviews, but still very smooth. No batch I’m afraid.
Billy
1 reviewBatch RML-07, Bottle 327/766 (48.9% abv). wild agave.
Nose of pine and cement.
Taste of root beer, clay, and some tropical fruit, maybe some minerality. The mouthfeel is smooth and lasts for over a minute. Great sipping mezcal.
Americana Kyle
60 reviewsBatch DRML-14 / Harvest 2019 / Btl No (USA) 88/193
I love this incredible Karwinskii expression from Edgar just as much as his father’s expressions of this agave. This liquid stands out to me with great minerality, stone fruit, white pepper and a lightly pleasant funk, it is so intriguing. Real Minero Largo is a standard for SCM in my opinion.
Zack Klamn
522 reviewsNose – Jungle soil. Jasmine flower.
Palate – Earthy and floral. This was a 2 oz. bar pour in a copita and I thought it was just OK for the price (somewhat flat actually). I didn’t get a batch number. I’ll definitely try a different batch in the future because I love the brand and so many people really enjoy this expression.
Pablito
4 reviewsLote RML- 12 June 2019 – 175 Liters. Edgar Carreno.
I had great expectations and it didn’t disappoint. Excellent mezcal.
Pretty spectacular nose: oregano, thyme, sage, calamint, lemon zest, cotton candy. Great mouthfeel, creamy, warm, smooth, spicy, incredibly smooth, hard to believe it’s 52.4 %.
Without a doubt, one of the best expressions of mezcales. Love it.
MezcAleman
26 reviewsLOTE: RML-17 – Bottle 11/264
Clay, smoke and vegetables nicely balanced on the nose
Smooth and silky on the palate, very pleasant. I tastes greens and minerals with hints of tropical fruit. Very enjoyable! Is going to be one of my favorites.
Leif
8 reviewsgreatly balanced, vegetal mezcal. very soft nose, almost menthol. creamy complex palate, taste of nuts and dried dates. exactly as you would expect from the karwinskii cultivar. finishes slightly bitter which dries the palate for the next pull. pleasurable through and through
efoster13
3 reviewsRML-11 2019, Edgar Angeles Carreño, 54.1%. Just gorgeous. I often tear up a bit when drinking this mezcal because it’s just.so.damn.beautiful. There are high notes of sticky fruit on the nose as well as funky notes of leather and musk. Also meaty/smoky notes. The flavor is all of that and then some. It goes down dangerously easily at 54%, rounded, muscular but supple, it’s just a perfect example of what Minas mezcal can be. Can’t wait to try other batches….
RML-11 2019, Edgar Angeles Carreño, 54.1%. Just gorgeous. I often tear up a bit when drinking this mezcal because it’s just.so.damn.beautiful. There are high notes of sticky fruit on the nose as well as funky notes of leather and musk. Also meaty/smoky notes. The flavor is all of that and then some. It goes down dangerously easily at 54%, rounded, muscular but supple, it’s just a perfect example of what Minas mezcal can be. Can’t wait to try other batches….
meserole
72 reviewsSmells like spa-water – maybe a strawberry cucumber infusion? No heat at all, in fact, almost cooling to the tongue, like mint, cilantro, green herbs. Vegetal and smooth. I think you could use this as a breath freshener.
Lot RML-17 (2020), bottle 109/246. Purchased at the Real Minero palenque in 2021.
Wine65
5 reviewsNice balance not too sweet. Has a prominent cocoa-earthy note that appears midway and remains thru the finish. Very enjoyable.
Bastiaan
10 reviewsRML-01, 2014 – Bottle 184/618
Nose of peanut, clay and some smoke. Tastes very savory, salty almost. Has some nice minerality, also peanut (or maybe tahin) on the palate. Slightly bitter, minty finish. The body is amazingly oily. Very warm and unique flavour. Overall delicious.
El-Dawg
190 reviewsRML-04 (2016)
Clay in check, little earthy & sweet – balance of green pepper, clay, & tropical fruit. This one is highly reviewed and tasted for a reason.
Review #73
spasta
22 reviewsSuper good. Well worth the money and probably worth more.