Sacro Imperio is produced by Manuel Simental using maguey Cenizo in Nombre De Dios, Durango. This mezcal has notes of peppermint, bell peppers, melons, and minerals.
About this mezcal
Sacro Imperio is made with wild agave Durangensis also known as maguey Cenizo. These agaves are resistant to frost and grow at an average elevation of 6,000 feet. The plants’ ability to withstand extreme temperature variations creates complex flavors as sugars are stored for survival. This species of agave is native to the states of Durango and Zacatecas. After roasting 3-4 days in an earthen pit, the cooked agave piñas are cut into smaller pieces with an axe before being fed into a mechanical mill. Wood-lined sunken cement pits are used for fermentation which lasts 2-5 days. With the fermentation containers underground, the temperature during fermentation is stabilized. The nearby spring water is distilled before fed warm into the fibers during fermentation. Fruit and cypress trees grow around the vinata (palenque) which also add to the flavor profile. The distillation setup features an oak wood “hat” that sits above the copper pot during distillation. It is distilled twice for a final ABV of 48% for exportation. Sacro Imperio is bottled at 42% for sale in Mexico.
Sacro Imperio Mezcal
Sacro Imperio is a product of the Lizarraga Company. The company founder, originally from California moved to the Mexican state of Sinaloa in 2016. Soon after, he discovered mezcal; it was mostly from Oaxaca and made with agave Espadin. Later, he met the owners of a mezcal brand from the neighboring state of Durango – it was Sacro Imperio made with agave Cenizo. He found the flavors and complexity compelling and decided to team up with the family to export the brand.
While working to get the brand exported to the United States, he learned that his grandfather, Miguel Acosta, was a mezcalero from the small village of Porras in Sinaloa. In March 2019, Sacro Imperio Mezcal was imported into Califoria.
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JDB
165 reviewsLot. 6, No. 169 48% abv
Second cenizo of the three in my line up. So many quality cenizos out on the market; it is really exciting to see more get distribution and attention. Spearmint and old bubblegum/latex on the nose. Rich and complex flavors: asparagus, used mint teabag, wet rocks after the first drops of a spring rain, underripe melon, salted butter, and a nice, black pepper finish. Lots to like about this one. Mouthfeel is maybe a tad thin and the heat does sting on the tongue for a while. Looking over the other reviews, I don’t quite get the cinnamon or cedar, but agree with the mushroom-like quality. I definitely agree with Chuey Agave that this mezcal is a great value for the price and flavor profile. A solid introduction to cenizos for a beginner. More of a 3.75 stars out of five for me.
Lot. 6, No. 169 48% abv
Second cenizo of the three in my line up. So many quality cenizos out on the market; it is really exciting to see more get distribution and attention. Spearmint and old bubblegum/latex on the nose. Rich and complex flavors: asparagus, used mint teabag, wet rocks after the first drops of a spring rain, underripe melon, salted butter, and a nice, black pepper finish. Lots to like about this one. Mouthfeel is maybe a tad thin and the heat does sting on the tongue fo
Chuey Agave
19 reviewsLot:006
No: 263
ABV 48%
Excellent Cenizo coming out of Durango. Delightful sipper, It has enough complexity to keep you interested sip after sip but not so complex that you can simply unwind with a copita of this mezcal.
Aromas: Agave, mint, fresh-cut bell pepper, citrus (think orange peel), raw asparagus, hints of anise, cinnamon, and black pepper.
Flavors: Agave, raw jalapeno and bell pepper, cinnamon, anise, tangy with a black pepper finish. The finish was medium long and enjoyable. The mezcal had a good mouthfeel and coated the mouth nicely.
This is a great sipper to have on hand. I find myself coming back to it regularly to explore everything that the cenizo has to offer, and for the price, it’s hard to beat. If you are on the fence about buying it or not I would recommend picking it up.
Lot:006
No: 263
ABV 48%
Excellent Cenizo coming out of Durango. Delightful sipper, It has enough complexity to keep you interested sip after sip but not so complex that you can simply unwind with a copita of this mezcal.
Aromas: Agave, mint, fresh-cut bell pepper, citrus (think orange peel), raw asparagus, hints of anise, cinnamon, and black pepper.
Flavors: Agave, raw jalapeno and bell pepper, cinnamon, anise, tangy with a black pepper finish. The finish was medium long and enjoyable. The mez
razorbackmike
155 reviewsi am just now discovering more cenizos.in the past i have only sampled 3 until about 2 months ago.they all seem to have a sweet and fruity quality that reminds me of spree candy.this one has that but has a sophisticated profile too.i get the savory mushroom and cinnamon note that tyler mentioned but get different spices from start to finish.complex and sweet.very mellow.kinda starchy.very delicious and a great bargain!i am going through this bottle so fast.the kind of mezcal thats hard to stop consuming.
i am just now discovering more cenizos.in the past i have only sampled 3 until about 2 months ago.they all seem to have a sweet and fruity quality that reminds me of spree candy.this one has that but has a sophisticated profile too.i get the savory mushroom and cinnamon note that tyler mentioned but get different spices from start to finish.complex and sweet.very mellow.kinda starchy.very delicious and a great bargain!i am going through this bottle so fast.the kind of mezcal thats hard to stop c
Tyler
643 reviewsA tasty Cenizo from a talented vinatero. Notes of cooked agave and fermented buttery mushrooms. For me it is on the caramelized side of the flavor spectrum. A bit of cedar and cinnamon on the backend. This mezcal is a bit viscous with a sweet syrup finish. Lot 002.