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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JDB
101 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
139 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
509 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
177 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.
AdamCA
16 reviewsLote RML-05, 2016.
I don’t know if I caught a weird bottle of this, but this comes off as a pretty average (average for its range) mezcal to me. It’s fine. It tastes a little bit of peanut and a touch of sweetness, which is nice, but there are strong undertones of clay and it ends with a lot of the earthy clay, so I don’t get as much complexity or as long of a finish as I do from a lot of other mezcals I rate higher. It’s drinkable, and it’s fine, but I don’t get all of the fuss over it. I liked Real Minero’s Barril a lot more.
Lote RML-05, 2016.
I don’t know if I caught a weird bottle of this, but this comes off as a pretty average (average for its range) mezcal to me. It’s fine. It tastes a little bit of peanut and a touch of sweetness, which is nice, but there are strong undertones of clay and it ends with a lot of the earthy clay, so I don’t get as much complexity or as long of a finish as I do from a lot of other mezcals I rate higher. It’s drinkable, and it’s fine, but I don’t
t8ke
144 reviewsStraightforward and inviting on the palate. Sweet cream, rich clay and earthiness. Faint ash smoke and beef. Vinegar note is there. Hint of guava on the back palate. Rich and complex, savory but not too pungent.
Gregg T&T
100 reviewsRML-05 Don Lorenzo. Berry sweetness and cream. Soft green notes of eucalyptus, mint and pepper.
Juriy
23 reviewsVery strong punch of mineral and salty on the nose and on the first sip. Balanced herbs and smoke. Pretty nice combination of sweet, bitter, and salty. Peppery and a bit grassy. Definitely “fresh” if I were to summarise it with one word.
I knew this was a highly rated mezcal when I tried it but didn’t get the “wow” factor.
Safetyline29
8 reviewsCrazy upfront on the nose with loads of clay and acidic tones. Dried beef and hints of rosemary give a pleasant mouthfeel. You can really taste the dedication to the process with each warming sip. It finishes forever with celery salt, sweet cream and wet mineral stone. This product is a true delight, i visited the facility and was equally impressed by the cleanliness and production style.
Joe
27 reviews50.64% ABV. Batch RML-010, 2018 harvest, avg maguey age-14yrs, clay pot still, ambient yeast, palenquero: Edgar Angeles Carreño. Had it at home. My wife picked up on a sweetness and refinement. I get a light woody smokiness up-front, which gets nuked by that enormous alcohol content. One I’ve worked through the heat, the lighter sweetness of the agave comes out. Still wrestling with the high alcohol. A drop of water brings out some sweet banana-like and earthy flavors and settles things down for me a little. Nearing the end of the glass, some more fruit flavors are coming out, with a granite undertone. A drop of water transforms the flavor, bringing it a roasty-sweetness, over an earthy fruitiness. Beet-like maybe.
50.64% ABV. Batch RML-010, 2018 harvest, avg maguey age-14yrs, clay pot still, ambient yeast, palenquero: Edgar Angeles Carreño. Had it at home. My wife picked up on a sweetness and refinement. I get a light woody smokiness up-front, which gets nuked by that enormous alcohol content. One I’ve worked through the heat, the lighter sweetness of the agave comes out. Still wrestling with the high alcohol. A drop of water brings out some sweet banana-like and earthy flavors and settles things d
Meady
53 reviewsEdgar Angeles Carreno, 52.4%
Some flavour similarities with the Lalo San Martinero for me. Slightly less creamy, but the same notes of berry, eucalyptus and clay shine through. You can sense the mastery in the craft behind this. The complexity is fantastic.
Since I first opened the bottle, this has really opened up and got better over time.
I’m noticing this more and more with good mezcals; that they evolve and are sometimes surprising and unpredictable when you revisit them. I guess that’s why we’re all here. And I’m not going anywhere else anytime soon 🙂
Edgar Angeles Carreno, 52.4%
Some flavour similarities with the Lalo San Martinero for me. Slightly less creamy, but the same notes of berry, eucalyptus and clay shine through. You can sense the mastery in the craft behind this. The complexity is fantastic.
Since I first opened the bottle, this has really opened up and got better over time.
I’m noticing this more and more with good mezcals; that they evolve and are sometimes surprising and unpredictable when you revisit them. I guess that’s
stigibeu
33 reviewsTwo vintages here and both very good.
2013
Don Lorenzo, L-18
17 years
Sweetness-cantaloupe and melon on the nose. Fairly muted otherwise. Thicker on the palate with roasted agave, pepper. Then some brown sugar/cinnamon as it opens up, which is pretty cool. Perfume like as well. Easy finish. 4+/5
2019
Edgar Angeles Carreno, RML-11
14 years
More green and vegetal on the nose. Bright spring rain. Faint onion in background. More alive on palate in a similarly verdant way. Not like many other karwinskiis, and bordering on that tepextate profile that I enjoy so much. Further in, I’m getting some grape on the finish too. I love this one. 4.75/5
Two vintages here and both very good.
2013
Don Lorenzo, L-18
17 years
Sweetness-cantaloupe and melon on the nose. Fairly muted otherwise. Thicker on the palate with roasted agave, pepper. Then some brown sugar/cinnamon as it opens up, which is pretty cool. Perfume like as well. Easy finish. 4+/5
2019
Edgar Angeles Carreno, RML-11
14 years
More green and vegetal on the nose. Bright spring rain. Faint onion in background. More alive on palate in a similarly verdant way. Not like many other karwi
TheAgaveFairy
168 reviewsRML-11. Grand immediate sweetness, that clay / white chocolate supports a big kiwi note that swells into something that grips the palate with minerality and that slightly acrid smoke, transforming into watermelon and white pepper on the finish. Incense notes linger most on the finish. Slightly acrid.
zeefarmer
3 reviewsBatch RML-07 (2017).
Nose: totally get toasted peanuts on the nose up front, but after a couple of sniffs out of a Glencairn, I swear I get some bubble gum/sweetness!
Palate: Very smooth! Dust, clay, a little bit of savory up front, giving way to some fruitiness (banana), with a minty/tingly finish.
Fantastic!
bumble
2 reviewsLoved! After hearing so much about it, was excited to finally see/drink this while visiting SD @ cantina mayahuel. Wishing I could afford to drink a few more! Amazing stuff ?
El_Roberto
23 reviewsEarthy and very smooth with some spice on the finish. For something that is 54% ABV a truly fantastic mezcal
Gatekeeper
12 reviewsLot RML-07 from 2017 by Edgar Angeles Carreno. 427/766, 48.9% ABV.
All time favorite. Incredible nose of peanut candy and forest floor. Creamy, complex palate with more of those delicious peanut candy notes, but also dried fruit, citrus, pine and mint. Jam packed with flavor while maintaining a great balance of sweet and savory. Unbelievably long finish that lasts for minutes with peanut, coconut, pine, and a hint of minerality. Unique karwinskii and a desert island mezcal for me.
SpencerS
13 reviewsHaving read reviews of this mezcal before I bought a bottle, my expectations were sky high but this spirit definitely delivered.
Nose: The nose is very warm and nutty – peanuts and ginger bread. There’s also notes of banana but more so the peal than the flesh. Very delicate, balanced and unique nose overall.
Palette: I’ve never had such a smooth mezcal. The feel is very oily and warm with very little burn. Banana shines through more on the palette than on the nose along with coconut that suits the oily mouthfeel.
The finish is long and bubblegum like.
This mezcal is sure to make an impression on both experienced and novice drinkers alike, particularly because of its unparalleled smoothness and depth. Can’t wait to try more from Real Minero
Having read reviews of this mezcal before I bought a bottle, my expectations were sky high but this spirit definitely delivered.
Nose: The nose is very warm and nutty – peanuts and ginger bread. There’s also notes of banana but more so the peal than the flesh. Very delicate, balanced and unique nose overall.
Palette: I’ve never had such a smooth mezcal. The feel is very oily and warm with very little burn. Banana shines through more on the palette than on the nose along wi
BartFargo
21 reviewsBatch RML-07, 48.9%
Nose: Warm peanut brittle oozes out of the bottle from the second the cork is pulled, but once in the glass there’s a chorus of green, floral and tropical scents: guava, pineapple, green coconut, banana, lime, eucalyptus, sage, ponderosa, and lily. Also a few crumbles of dry chalk, and an underlying earthiness of autumn leaves, smoked turkey and camembert which builds with time. A lot going on!
Palate: Rustically earthy with a big pile of wet leaves, pine branches, thyme and mushroom; but simultaneously sweet and floral with agave syrup, kiwi and elderflower. Crumbled peanut and hazelnut contribute to the medium-full, creamy mouthfeel.
Finish: At first turns bittersweet vegetal, with thyme, tarragon, citrus rind, cocoa, and clay. Some wisps of smoke then precede a sweet, earthy palette of peanut brittle, acorn squash, pinecone, sage and fallen leaves. Long length.
A fusion of earthy and verdant flavors can be found in many a thoughtfully made karwinskii distillate, but this one commands your full attention with its seductive twists and contrasts. The finesse with which this mezcal evolves from one balanced harmony of notes to the next pushes it into the top tier of all spirits for me.
Batch RML-07, 48.9%
Nose: Warm peanut brittle oozes out of the bottle from the second the cork is pulled, but once in the glass there’s a chorus of green, floral and tropical scents: guava, pineapple, green coconut, banana, lime, eucalyptus, sage, ponderosa, and lily. Also a few crumbles of dry chalk, and an underlying earthiness of autumn leaves, smoked turkey and camembert which builds with time. A lot going on!
Palate: Rustically earthy with a big pile of wet leaves, pine branches, thyme a
juanquillo
8 reviewsThis is a great mezcal but find it a bit higher price in mexico where I bought one bottle direct at de distillery without marbete six years ago.
Mansson
71 reviewsLot RML-01, distilled 2014. Very green: pine, roasted bell pepper. Also orange zest and coconut-style sweetness. Well-balanced and easy to drink, but a bit short on the finish.
Spirit_Chaser
20 reviewsBatch No. RML-07, 48.9% abv
Right off the bat there is roasted peanuts on the nose. Along with the peanuts, I picked up coconut, lime, slightly floral, slightly vegetal, and slightly minty. The aromas are very nuanced and delicate. Taste is equally nuanced and balanced to a tee. Vegetal like fresh lightly roasted greens, spearmint and wintergreen minty notes, there is a citrus element poking through, some tropical notes….there is lots going on here but it’s all so delicate and nuanced showing off the superb talents of the mezcalero. Very creamy mouthfeel and the minty and vegetal finish goes on for what feels like days on end. I can’t get enough of this finish! Also, if you happen to burp, it tastes like peanuts. This is a superbly crafted mezcal and is dangerously smooth. I can’t say enough about this mezcal and look forward to seeing how the spirit evolves during the lifespan of my bottle. 5/5 stars without reservation.
Batch No. RML-07, 48.9% abv
Right off the bat there is roasted peanuts on the nose. Along with the peanuts, I picked up coconut, lime, slightly floral, slightly vegetal, and slightly minty. The aromas are very nuanced and delicate. Taste is equally nuanced and balanced to a tee. Vegetal like fresh lightly roasted greens, spearmint and wintergreen minty notes, there is a citrus element poking through, some tropical notes….there is lots going on here but it’s all so delicate and nu
Cortez
12 reviewsRML-05, 2016 by Don Lorenzo. Salted peanuts on the nose. First sip is very savory and then it really opens up. Pine and maple syrup, and then toasted coconut. The creaminess and finish lasts for days!
Wanderingspider
53 reviewsLot: RML- 05? (a bit hard to read)
14 year Largo distilled in 2016. 492 litre production. Solid 4.5 mezcal.
Aromas of toasted coconut and smoked paprika. Palate is floral with a touch of sweetness that is very very well balanced considering the 50.5% ABV.
Rorschach
40 reviewsSmooth structure
Rakhal
392 reviewsRml-06. People really seem to love this one. I wanted to like it but my girlfriend and I both found it mediocre. Nail polish remover, clay dust, jasmine flower. Thin body, not at all creamy, short finish.
RML-09. Creamy, menthol, white pepper, rosewater. Just ok.
jgerdes
7 reviews2016 Harvest. Bottle no.198/302
Mineral taste, orange tang, pepper, spices, vegetable, oily.
Long mint finish. Superb.
Chris
40 reviewsLote RML-08 bottle 19 /262 Dec 2017, Edgar Angeles Carreno. Dates, figs, and an incredible aftertaste that really does go on forever. I also get sticks in wet snow. The sweetness is complemented by the bitterness of burnt orange and oil of bergamot.
Update from Feb 11 above – alarmingly good.
Eazy
2 reviewsVery soft and smooth. Light vegetate smell, and a little bit of a mintish taste. Very unique. It’s quite rare, but if you have the opportunity to try it or buy a bottle, DO IT!
Nic Hnastchenko
108 reviewsFrom my Mezcal Masterclass on Karwinskii.
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsOne of the best mezcals ive ever had. Deep, full bodied, complex, oily, smokey, but not overpowering. Wish I bought another bottle. An awesome finish that goes for days. Wow
thamthong
47 reviewsbest example of clay influence i’ve encountered. deep green and perfectly rounded. glorious finish.
razorbackmike
138 reviewsyes!it lived up to all the five star reviews!the nose was slight,sweet with mint.my first impression on entry was a bite of gingerbread,mid-way opened to agave and honey.the finish was soft notes of pine and smoke.no hint of harshness and very balanced.exceptional treat!
COak
208 reviewsUnique. Smells of fresh greens with a bit of sweetness. Smoothness is unparalleled. Had it fresh off the still at Real Minero in Oaxaca. It went down like water.
Jonny
633 reviewsLot RML-05. Bottle 204/616. Absolutely incredible. Dangerously soft and balanced. Aromas of dried dates, straw, and lilac. The palate matches the aromas with strong vegetal notes and hints of fresh tropical fruit that finish softly and hang in mouth.
fstraat
1 reviewSmooth
Soxfan
18 reviewsBrilliant stuff! Resonates on the palate. Rich mouthfeel. Unlike any other mezcal I have ever tasted. 01/168.
Update, May 4, 2019: Two years later, and still magnificent. This bottle is absolutely extraordinary. Wonderful and very long-lasting finish.
Tyler
604 reviewsSoft pine on the nose. Bright. Vegetal mint. A unique and rare spirit. Grape skin, warmth. Batch 001, 168 bottles.