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Del Maguey Single Village Mezcals

Lo! And into our hands came the range of single village mezcals offered by Del Maguey. And what exactly, you might ask, is a single village mezcal? Is it the same stuff that you get in the bottle with a worm? Well, they're mezcal, but they're like the single malt scotches of mezcal. Rather than being mass-produced factory products, they're still produced in villages using traditional techniques - the agaves are pit-roasted, wheel-ground by animal power, and fermented and distilled in the old style. Minero is even distilled in a clay still with bamboo tubing, and aged in clay jugs for a month or two. These mezcals are not diluted for bottling; the proof is adjusted to the palenquero's (producer's) preference by the amount of head and tail of the distillation added to the main body.

Each of these mezcals is distinctive and unique. They are made to be drunk in the traditional manner: straight, sipped without any fancy hoo-hah with worms or lemons.

Our general impression of these mezcals was quite favourable. We liked them, and appreciated the variety amongst them, and the craftsmanship that went into them. Not all were suited to our tastes, but we all agreed that the San Luis del Rio was a true Colossos of mezcals. All of them were eminently drinkable, going down very easily and smoothly, even with the high proofs.

See Del Maguey Mezcal for more info.

And what we said about them:

Del Maguey Chichicapa:
This mezcal has a light, sweet aroma, and a surprisingly sour and minty mild and subtle taste, with a long-lasting dry and smoky aftertaste. Definitely good, and good craftsmanship, but not particularly to our tastes. 49.2% alcohol.
T *** Cat ***

Del Maguey Minero:
Very traditional, this mezcal is distilled in a clay still with bamboo tubing. Sweetly aromatic, with a tangy nose, this mezcal is deeply and strongly flavoured. Fruity and sweet, and delightfully tangy. And smooth too. Distinctive, interesting, and tasty. 49.1% alcohol.
T **** Cat ***

Del Maguey San Luis del Rio:
The best of the Del Maguey single village mezcals. It has a fairly mild aroma, sweet and slightly smoky. This mezcal has a perfectly balanced taste, with sweet, smoky and spicy elements complementing each other beautifully. Very smooth and easy to drink, even with a 48.3% alcohol content. The Rolls-Royce of mezcal!
T ***** Cat ****

Del Maguey Santo Domingo Albarradas:
This is a light and clean mezcal, with a sweetish, lightly spicy, rather woody flavour. Pleasant and smooth. 49.2% alcohol.
T **** Cat ***