Real Minero Pechuga is triple distilled with fresh fruit and a raw chicken breast. The result is a Mezcal that tastes of mushrooms and raisins.
About this mezcal
Real Minero Pechuga is made with Maguey Espadin (Agave angustifolia). It is triple distilled, and during the third distillation, the mezcalero adds fresh fruit to the mix. He then suspends a raw chicken breast in the still so that all of the vapor must pass over the raw chicken before becoming the Mezcal that is bottled as the final product. This type of Mezcal is traditionally imbibed at celebrations. The Real Minero Pechuga was the favorite of the late mezcalero Don Lorenzo. This is now made by his son, Edgar Angeles, and it is rumored that batch #4 was actually produced by Don Lorenzo’s daughter Graciela.
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* Batch: DRMP-16
* Harvest: 2022
* Bottle: 151/252
* ABV: 52.6%
Complex and full-bodied, a very commanding spirit. Strong alcohol vapors keep this from being a 5 today but maybe it just needs more time to rest… My bottle was pulled directly from the center of the run and I will update this review after it has had a chance to open up for 6 months or so.
The nose is strong – leather and ethanol and wet stone, a slight cinnamon note too but nowhere near the over-spiced vapors typical with lesser Pechugas, this one is really lovely.
Flavor packs a punch! Strong heat with a fair amount of meat/smoked chicken present. Leather again and then clay, clove, white pear and orange peel. Grassy but not offensive. Thick and visceral in the glass.
A strong, long lasting finish that has a more sour than sweet vibe going on which is nice. The overall proof comes in hot for a split second then the final bit of meatiness appears but again I think age will mellow this out some more. Pricey but definitely special.
* Batch: DRMP-16
* Harvest: 2022
* Bottle: 151/252
* ABV: 52.6%
Complex and full-bodied, a very commanding spirit. Strong alcohol vapors keep this from being a 5 today but maybe it just needs more time to rest… My bottle was pulled directly from the center of the run and I will update this review after it has had a chance to open up for 6 months or so.
The nose is strong – leather and ethanol and wet stone, a slight cinnamon note too but nowhere near the over-spiced vapors typical with
mt_rainyer
43 reviewsRMP-01 (tasted in 2017)
I wish I had bought two of these, such a beautiful bottle. The liquid is thick, oily, sticky, with texture like the beads of fat when making a stew. The mouth feel is more extreme in that way than any other Pechuga I’ve tried. Somehow has the delicate flavors of pepper/clove mixed with a touch of fruity sweetness, mixed with the meaty savoriness of the chicken. In a blind taste test of 6 quality pechugas (lalo’s, this, el jolgorio, tosba, etc..) this was the crowd favorite by far.
Later batches I’ve had have also been consistently excellent and balanced, I’d say that first lot was my favorite though. The one piece of advice I have to those buying, this is one that is best to open up for a few months.
RMP-01 (tasted in 2017)
I wish I had bought two of these, such a beautiful bottle. The liquid is thick, oily, sticky, with texture like the beads of fat when making a stew. The mouth feel is more extreme in that way than any other Pechuga I’ve tried. Somehow has the delicate flavors of pepper/clove mixed with a touch of fruity sweetness, mixed with the meaty savoriness of the chicken. In a blind taste test of 6 quality pechugas (lalo’s, this, el jolgorio, tosba, etc..) this was the c
HighWine
76 reviewsTotal score finding this at the Pink Agave restaurant/ bar on the Virgin Voyages cruise ship. Aroma or acetone and sea water. Taste is sublime. Flavors of Chestnuts, dried apricot, apple, cranberry, walnut, toasted pumpkin seeds, lavendar, and mint. The meat gives this a medium-full body that’s slightly oily in the mouth. Very pleasant. Lingering flavors or nuts and and dried apricot and dried apple linger a long time. Excellent.
Jori
51 reviewsTons of tropical fruit, guava, mango, flambeed apple. Bbq chicken smoke, roasted pineapple. Light Cinnamon. Toasted nuts. Cream cheese frosting. Mole Manchamanteles. Smooth, silky, creamy mouthfeel.
Sweet and salty. Fruit and bbq. Amazing!
CasaDeGuero
21 reviewsJust flat very good. Good amount of heat. Nice espadin flavor but with a notable sweetness and pivot in the middle. Probably the best pechuga I’ve had.
T-2 of 4 tried at Limantour in CDMX.
aarild
150 reviewsMango and fried chicken, dried hay and burnt clay aromas.
Very well integrated alcohol, nicely viscous, and good structure. Fruity rather than spicy on the palate, well balanced between meaty chicken; plum, agave and mango fruitiness; dried epazote and a hint of allspice. I still think I might prefer the Del Maguey over this, but it’s a very close race.
rsidrys
50 reviewsSavory and brothy like a comfy bowl of chicken soup. Smokey meat forward. Didn’t get a lot of fruit but was detecting something starchy like rice or plantains in the background. Easy to enjoy.
RMP-02, 2015, Don Lorenzo
ElAgave
34 reviewsBatch: 03 47.07%abv
Nose – lime, orange, vanilla, creme brûlée, fresh green veggies
Palate – light smoke, grapefruit rind, vanilla, grapes, slightly creamy
Finish – oily, mint, wood, caramel
razorbackmike
143 reviewsi dont know that its fair to rate this bottle yet.its a fresh bottle and hasnt opened up fully.the nose was very reserved with just a hint of veggie stew.the initial taste was good but not as good as i expected from rm,it was a very expensive purchase,as i sipped a little more there was a much better result.there was chicken broth and very smooth honey sweetness.a dry finish.i have had the same delayed effect from 2 or 3 other rm bottles.they start out of the gate slow but evolve into a wonderful beauty.i was thinking this is between 3 and 4 stars but i think time will turn it into a great mezcal.i will have to revisit and update.willing to give it 4 stars for now.
i dont know that its fair to rate this bottle yet.its a fresh bottle and hasnt opened up fully.the nose was very reserved with just a hint of veggie stew.the initial taste was good but not as good as i expected from rm,it was a very expensive purchase,as i sipped a little more there was a much better result.there was chicken broth and very smooth honey sweetness.a dry finish.i have had the same delayed effect from 2 or 3 other rm bottles.they start out of the gate slow but evolve into a wonderfu
J Highland
4 reviewsBatch 2017 RMP-08 This is an awesome chicken broth for the soul with 52% ABV… A meaty flavor where you can almost chew the chicken along with the fruits added in the distillation process… this Mezcal is a must try for at least once… well worth the money because it doesn’t come cheap
t8ke
144 reviewsRMP-02
Sweet honey, creme brûlée, big big cream cheese frosting. Grows faintly sour. The cream cheese sweetness with some light ash is super unique.
Incredible, diverse, complex, powerful. I’m in. This is wonderful.
Whiskey on a fence post
7 reviewsBatch RMP-01 from 2014
The nose:
Pineapples! Fills the room up the second you pull the top. Just smells so sweet of fruit and clean chicken, almost like boiling chicken for a soup.
Palate: This is lush and viscous, almost oily on the tongue. It rolls around your mouth and coats everything. The savoriness is more present here than many pechugas, almost like chicken skin. The fruity sweetness isn’t cut back at all though. There’s tropical fruits and cloves really shining through. Very little cooling eucalyptus or mint that I normally see with espadin.
Finish: Clay is super present here. The sugar drops off and you’re left salivating from the savory meat flavors. Then its just lingering clay with an almost metallic earthy flavor.
This is up there. 8.5-9.0 out of 10. Really incredible stuff. Not sure why i don’t reach for this bottle more often.
Batch RMP-01 from 2014
The nose:
Pineapples! Fills the room up the second you pull the top. Just smells so sweet of fruit and clean chicken, almost like boiling chicken for a soup.
Palate: This is lush and viscous, almost oily on the tongue. It rolls around your mouth and coats everything. The savoriness is more present here than many pechugas, almost like chicken skin. The fruity sweetness isn’t cut back at all though. There’s tropical fruits and cloves really shining through. Very
Mansson
71 reviewsLot RMP-01, distilled 2014. I have largely avoided pechugas, finding the few previously sampled to taste too much of chicken soup. But this one is clearly different. A very strong taste, but just a hint of chicken. Instead, standing out are the flavours of liquorice or cough syrup or lapsang souchong tea as well as Christmas cake spices (especially cloves). Definitely the right time of the year to try this! There is evidence of clay distillation and also a whiff of mint. It’s a very dry mezcal without much agave sweetness. The aftertaste is all about salty liquorice and clay. Close to five stars.
Lot RMP-01, distilled 2014. I have largely avoided pechugas, finding the few previously sampled to taste too much of chicken soup. But this one is clearly different. A very strong taste, but just a hint of chicken. Instead, standing out are the flavours of liquorice or cough syrup or lapsang souchong tea as well as Christmas cake spices (especially cloves). Definitely the right time of the year to try this! There is evidence of clay distillation and also a whiff of mint. It’s a very dry mezcal
PhilBrunski
25 reviews2015 Don Lorenzo
Cream of mushroom soup, nuts, raisins, roasted smoke and clay with an alcohol “pop” that is so good and unlike any other mezcal I’ve had. Different from a bite at the finish or overall heat, this mezcal hits you with a wave of flavor first then alcohol in perfect harmony. Looking forward to trying Edgar’s as I imagine my bottle from the late Don Lorenzo is the last I’ll come across. Lucky to experience it!
El_Cura
31 reviewsHard to stop sipping this one. It is right up there with 5 Sentidos Pechuga de Mole Poblano.
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsNot getting the love for this one at all. Smells like indoor pool water. Chlorine/musty stagnant lake water smell almost. Taste is some of the same, including a strange piloncillo/chocolate roastiness that is off putting. Hard to finish a half pour, thank god i didnt buy a bottle
thamthong
47 reviewsbatch RMP-05, 10 year old espadin, ‘17 harvest, bottle 170/440, edgar angeles carreno. by far the best pechuga ive had. smells of cream of mushroom, rotisserie chicken, tropical fruits on the fringes and that gorgeous real minero clay. big flavors that, like jonny mentioned, pull in every which way while maintaining a deft balance. rotisserie chicken and fruit punch, earthy clay and salty minerality, high tone acidity and buzzy alcohol hum. decidedly unsubtle, gorgeously harmonized. amazing amazing amazing mezcal.
batch RMP-05, 10 year old espadin, ‘17 harvest, bottle 170/440, edgar angeles carreno. by far the best pechuga ive had. smells of cream of mushroom, rotisserie chicken, tropical fruits on the fringes and that gorgeous real minero clay. big flavors that, like jonny mentioned, pull in every which way while maintaining a deft balance. rotisserie chicken and fruit punch, earthy clay and salty minerality, high tone acidity and buzzy alcohol hum. decidedly unsubtle, gorgeously harmonized. amaz
Tyler
621 reviewsFruit and light chicken broth on the nose. This pechuga is bursting with flavors from clove and pepper to berries, clay, and bubblegum. Incredible mezcal. Pricey but one-of-a-kind mezcal that is released infrequently in small batches. Batch: 2014 RMP-01
Jonny
671 reviewsThis is the best Pechuga I’ve ever had. It’s so thick, it almost feels like chicken broth in the mouth, and its spices perfectly complement its strong chicken notes. I typically find that pechugas go in one of two possible directions. Either they’re very meaty, or they have a lot of herbal and spice notes. This mezcal runs in both directions at once, finding balance in polar opposite sides of the spectrum rather than the accentuation of something in the middle. Flavor notes of black tea, clove, peach, chicken, and orange cream. The bottle I tried was for Batch #RMP-01 from 2014. I’ve had several other batches since, and they’re all incredible.
This is the best Pechuga I’ve ever had. It’s so thick, it almost feels like chicken broth in the mouth, and its spices perfectly complement its strong chicken notes. I typically find that pechugas go in one of two possible directions. Either they’re very meaty, or they have a lot of herbal and spice notes. This mezcal runs in both directions at once, finding balance in polar opposite sides of the spectrum rather than the accentuation of something in the middle. Flavor notes of