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Vago Tobala – Emigdio Jarquin Ramirez

Vago Tobala from Emigdio Jarquin Ramirez is distilled in a refrescadera still, giving this maguey Tobala a unique character and profile.

Rating: (17 reviews)
Cost:$$$
Brand:Vago Mezcal
NOM:NOM-O188X
Mezcalero:Emigdio Jarquín Ramirez
Maguey:Tobala
Agave:Potatorum
Grind:Tahona
Distillation:Refrescador
Style:Joven
State:Oaxaca
Town:Miahuatlán
ABV: 50%
Website: https://www.mezcalvago.com/, opens in new window
Ownership:Heaven Hill

About this mezcal

Vago Tobala from maestro mezcalero Emigdio Jarquin is produced in Miahuatlan, Oaxaca. The maguey Tobala (agave Potatorum) used in this mezcal is crushed by tahona and distilled in a copper refrescadera still. Emigdio is known throughout the region for his distilling expertise and all of his mezcal holds a high standard for the rest of the Miahuatlan region. Each batch may vary slight. Check your batch for details.

Vago Mezcal

Mezcal Vago began when co-founder Judah Kuper visited a hospital in Oaxaca, Mexico. He fell in love with the nurse who treated him. Her father, Aquilino Garcia, was a sustenance farmer who also produced mezcal. Judah and Aquilino, along with Judah’s longtime friend Dylan Sloan, launched Mezcal Vago. In 2013, their first exported bottles arrived in Texas. Each of their mezcals is produced naturally in a traditional palenque with no additives. The brand aims to empower both the master craftsmen with a celebration of his art. Also the consumer by giving them the knowledge they need to find a great mezcal. The brand plants 3 agaves for each single agave they harvest. Their goal is to end the use wild agave by 2025 for most of their releases.

In 2017, Mezcal Vago began using different color labels for their different mezcaleros. Emigdio Jarquin (blue label) distills in copper with refrescador. Aquilino and Joel Barriga (tan and gold labels respectively) distill in copper. Tio Rey (red label) distills in clay pots. All their mezcaleros use different water sources and make different distillation cuts. In 2018, Mezcal Vago established an investment partnership with Samson and Surrey. With the new partnership, each Mezcal Vago mezcalero has a stake in Samson and Surrey.

In 2021, Mezcal Vago went through its first major brand redesign since their launch in 2013.

Learn more Mezcal Vago:

Member rating

4.38 out of 5

17 reviews

Ben P

Ben P

107 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars6 months ago

Nose: Super Floral. Honeysuckle, Frosting, some lime and leather on the back end

Palate and finish: round fruity, apple pie, mango, orange creamsicle, coconut, some tropical fruit. Finish leads into light pepper and ash, minerality, and a bit of basil or mint

Overall this is super approachable and awesome. Tons of fruit, round mouthfeel. I dig it

Jam

Jam

149 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars9 months ago

Lot E-18-TOB-21, 51.6% abv

Review #12: Very pretty nose and palate. Fresh apples and florals like youre in a garden. Some sweet and light vanilla frosting, then touches a bit of herbs and mild earthiness. Very clean and fresh. This is an excellent tobala

Imperium

Imperium

97 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars10 months ago

I love Emigdio’s madrecuishe and this is also excellent.

Clean nose.
Super floral on the palate. Delicious and spicy burn in the best way.
Like his others, this has a super long finish. I could still taste it in my mouth about 30 minutes later. Great mezcal!

Matthew

Matthew

9 reviews
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars2 years ago

Emigdio Jarquin, Lot E-20-TOB-19, April 2019

1/24/22: A rich, hot, and complex expression. The key tobala notes are front and center, with rich fruit (almost a hint of banana and cantoloupe), supported by some more vegetal tones (jalapeno) and a strong ashy and mineral base.

Definitely a little hot, I’m looking forward to seeing if it mellows out and opens up as time goes on. Overall, very nice!

aarild

aarild

152 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars2 years ago

Untanned leather, dried mint, cucumber and watermelon aromas, some ash too. Very hot in the mouth at first, needs to rest for twenty minutes in the glass. Macadamia, black pepper, epazote, liquorice root, quince. The finish kicks in with French buttercream, chocolate and carrot cake, honey and some vague, grassy herbal taste. 

I’ll ask for a try in a few months’ time again, but as for now, this bottle is far too hot for five stars. It’s a shame, because normally you can integrate the alcohol by resting the distillate properly before bottling

Untanned leather, dried mint, cucumber and watermelon aromas, some ash too. Very hot in the mouth at first, needs to rest for twenty minutes in the glass. Macadamia, black pepper, epazote, liquorice root, quince. The finish kicks in with French buttercream, chocolate and carrot cake, honey and some vague, grassy herbal taste. 

I’ll ask for a try in a few months’ time again, but as for now, this bottle is far too hot for five stars. It’s a shame, because normally you can integrate the al

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JDB

JDB

159 reviews
Rated 5 out of 5 stars2 years ago

April 2019 Lot E-20-TOB-19. ABV 50.6%. One of my favorite tobalas hands down. Mild roasted agave on the nose but the sweetness in the taste starts up front and lingers for a good long while. Straight raw sugar cane. The nose has a light floral scent and peppermint candy (candy cane). The heat from the abv lingers very briefly but warms the palate longer. Hints of lemon zest and honeysuckle too. Wish I had bought two bottles at $95!

GreenspointTexas

GreenspointTexas

385 reviews
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars3 years ago

4.75/5. Maybe the best tobala ive had. Chocolate frosting, angel food cake, cilantro cupcake type of flavor. This is awesome

COak

COak

228 reviews
Rated 5 out of 5 stars3 years ago

2016. I couldn’t get enough of this. This bottle had been opened for a while so it really softened it up. It’s so full of flavor, just a fruit bomb all the way through.

Lasirenaahumada

Lasirenaahumada

9 reviews
Rated 5 out of 5 stars3 years ago

This was so interesting. The heat stays on the gums and tongue. Followed by a sweet fruit taste. Tortilla chips and this mezcal make a perfect appetizer!

GeorgePBurdell

GeorgePBurdell

49 reviews
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars3 years ago

Lot E11-TOB-19

Pleasant esters on the nose, banana and bubblegum. Soft and sweet on the palate with added notes of honey and flowers. Medium finish that stays sweet. Balanced and delicious throughout

HighWine

HighWine

76 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars4 years ago

April 2019 bottling

Sweet nose. Taffy, circus peanut candy, banana, and nail polish.

Light bodied but hot in the mouth. Heat lingers long on the gums after the sip is gone.

Flavors of mint and straw dominate.

Well constructed and not for the faint of heart. A distinctive expression of tobala.

SpencerS

SpencerS

13 reviews
Rated 5 out of 5 stars4 years ago

Emigdio Jarquin from April 2019

Wow, this is an incredible Tobala. I had a glass at Whisler’s (Mezcaleria Tobala) in Austin and resolved to buy a bottle. Definitely one of the brightest, most fruit forward tobalas I’ve had and also one of my favorites.

The nose is very lush and bright with notes of banana, bubble gum, and ginger. There’s also a warm, nutmeg quality.

The palette is very oily and rich. At >50% ABV, there’s a lot of heat but it is balances perfectly with the fruitiness of the mezcal as well as the oily mouthfeel.

The finish is rich and long with an oily mouthfeel that leads way to a lingering heat.

Highly recommended.

Emigdio Jarquin from April 2019
Wow, this is an incredible Tobala. I had a glass at Whisler’s (Mezcaleria Tobala) in Austin and resolved to buy a bottle. Definitely one of the brightest, most fruit forward tobalas I’ve had and also one of my favorites.
The nose is very lush and bright with notes of banana, bubble gum, and ginger. There’s also a warm, nutmeg quality.
The palette is very oily and rich. At >50% ABV, there’s a lot of heat but it is balances perfectly

Read more
El_Cura

El_Cura

31 reviews
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars5 years ago

Emigidio’s. Liquid pancakes, buttery plantains. Amazingly richful and the right amount of spice. Minimal cheese, leather barn flavor here.

Nic Hnastchenko

Nic Hnastchenko

108 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars5 years ago

Blue label, Lot E18-TOB-17 NOM 0188X coming in at a cool 51.4%.

Loved this one on comparison to the Rey campero, a little more well rounded, but still with the fruit base. from Emigdio Jarquin.

razorbackmike

razorbackmike

152 reviews
Rated 5 out of 5 stars6 years ago

no joke!this is one of the best mezcals i have ever tried.it is a 2016(blue label),emidgio jarquin edition.the scent is floral and vegetal.the taste follows the scent.spice is there but subtle.layers of flowers,honey and root veggies.cinnamon and some saline.balanced and silky from start to finish.a treasure!in my top 3.becoming more and more of a vago devotee.

Tyler

Tyler

636 reviews
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars7 years ago

Strong vegetal ash notes on the nose. Very hot taste like most Vago mezcals, fruity pepper. Lots of flavor. Almost some jalapeño notes. Hot finish. This was an April 2016 edition from Mezcalero Emigdio. 4 stars.

Updating this to 4.5 stars after trying the April 2016 batch (229 liters) again in April 2021. The bottle has likely sat half empty for a while and the flavors are incredible. The “hot” notes mentioned in the previous review have been softened. This is an incredible mezcal.

Strong vegetal ash notes on the nose. Very hot taste like most Vago mezcals, fruity pepper. Lots of flavor. Almost some jalapeño notes. Hot finish. This was an April 2016 edition from Mezcalero Emigdio. 4 stars.
Updating this to 4.5 stars after trying the April 2016 batch (229 liters) again in April 2021. The bottle has likely sat half empty for a while and the flavors are incredible. The “hot” notes mentioned in the previous review have been softened. This is an incredible mezcal.

Read more
Jonny

Jonny

700 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars7 years ago

This is a hot Tobala. There is heat in the aroma, heat on the first taste, and heat on the finish. After the initial heat, there are notes of apple, plantains, and herbs. This is +50% ABV and the alcohol is definitely present. The taste of Tobala is so unique and this mezcal presents that taste in an interesting way that I haven’t seen in other mezcals. The bottle I tasted was made by Emigdio Jarquin from April 2016.

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