Madre Mezcal Ensamble

An elegant Espadin Cuishe Ensamble Mezcal from the Garcia Morales Palenque Distillery in Oaxaca, Mexico, crafted with Agave Espadin and Agave Cuishe using traditional Zapotec methods. The Morales family roasts the agave in an earthen pit and employs wild yeast for fermentation in an old copper still. It presents an aromatic beginning with notes of agave, vanilla, honey, baking yeast, and dill; its rich and balanced life adds flavors of roasted agave, pepper, chalk, and salt, leading to a long and warm conclusion.

This is my first time trying mezcal, so I may not be familiar with typical flavors. It reminds me of drinking a campfire. I don't experience the burn I anticipated, and it's smooth. While this experience won't deter me from trying other mezcals, I can't say I'll seek this one out again.

Nose: intensely roasted, sweet, salty. Palate: salty, roasted, sweet, and pleasant. Finish: abrupt and flavorful, then a quick end, salty. I genuinely like it. Overall: quite good, a fantastic balance of roasted sweet flavor and a salty kick.

Remarkably smooth with a very subtle smokiness. It drinks more like a high-quality, full-bodied tequila blanco with added advantages... which inspires me to consider using it instead for more taste and depth in appropriate cocktails.

First part of a mezcal tasting. Agave on the nose, with an earthy quality. The palate begins sweet, but is slightly sharp on the initial taste. Earthy notes are present. The finish is vegetal with a trace of smoke. It is acceptable, but likely not something I would revisit.

Agave aroma is sweeter and funky. Vegetal sweetness with a hint of bubblegum. Moderately heated and well-rounded. Gentle smoke notes appear throughout, enhancing the finish.