Mezcal
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The last of the world’s great undiscovered spirits. Mezcal is distilled from the agave, an unusually complex, flavorful, and interesting form of life giving talented distillers a lot to work with.
Artisan mezcal distillers keep the agave solids in the still; tequila producers don’t. Well-made artisan mezcal is richer, more complex, than any tequila.
We carry only artisan mezcals, most of them made in tiny family distilleries in remote pueblos. Making artisan mezcals is slow, old-fashioned, labor-intensive. These mezcals get their flavor from the agave itself, from the soil and climate where the agave was grown, from local and regional traditions of how to roast, ferment, and distill.
Los Nahuales
Founded in 1998 by Jaime and Gustavo Muñoz to supply their wonderful Oaxacan restaurant with an authentic local spirit. They refurbished an old distillery in Santiago Matatlan, the epicenter of artisan mezcal distillation.
Los Nahuales mezcal is made in small old-fashioned double-distillation pot stills. Mezcals from the agave espadín are full-flavored and sweet. The Los Nahuales roasting pit is fired with mesquite, adding a smoky richness.
Los Nahuales is exactly the same as the mezcals sold as Los Danzantes in Mexico. The trade name Los Danzantes could not be used in the USA because of trademark issues.
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Los Nahuales Special Edition no. 5
An ensamble of wild cirial (an agave Karwinskii variant harvested above San Juan del Rio) and a rich and forward espadín (agave angustifolia) from Yegalache in mountainous terrain above and east of Miahuatlan. Distilled by Karina Abad, it displays her masterful gift for richness and balance. 414 bottles only.
750 ml / 47% abv
$105.00
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LOS NAHUALES Arroqueño
Single-batch distilled from a semi-wild sub-variety of the agave Americana. Arroqueno has good acidity, meaning great flavor definition. Nice intensity
750 ml / 48% abv
$115.00
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LOS NAHUALES Sierra Negra
Single-batch distilled from a second, and rare, sub-variety of the agave Americana, noted for its suavity. One of our favorite agaves: lovely stuff. Rich flavor.
750 ml / 48% abv
$115.00
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LOS NAHUALES Mezcal Blanco (Joven)
No blanco tequila can stand up to it: finest blanco mezcal in bottle. Distilled by Karina Abad and bottled one batch at a time: from delivery of the agaves, it takes a month to have finished mezcal. Several technical innovations improve on, without altering, the traditional artisan methods: pit-oven roasting, stone milling, fermentation in wooden vats. Fresh, full-bodied, soft, with unusually complex and balanced flavor and a hint of agave sweetness. Beautiful mezcal.
750 ml / 47% abv
$62.00
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LOS NAHUALES Reposado
Most reposado mezcals aren’t worth the trouble, but this one is: aged in French Nevers and American oak for some 6-9 months: a superb and subtle mezcal. The mesquite smokiness becomes focused to something resembling peat in an Islay malt. Clean, refined, well-structured, with a deep long finish. Elegant is the word.
750 ml / 47% abv
$74.00
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LOS NAHUALES Anejo
Very little is exported to the USA: maybe 300 bottles a year. 12-15-months in French Nevers oak. Beautifully mature, with plenty of rich flavor. Very long finish. Scarce
750 ml / 45.2% abv
$115.00
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LOS NAHUALES Metodo Antiguo (blanco)
A custom-ordered return to the ancestral method of using the tails cut (codas) to dilute the mezcal to bottling proof, instead of water. Very fresh and appealing, with lots of complexity. Unique in the US market. Scarce.
750 ml / 47.8
% abv
$72.00
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LOS NAHUALES Still Proof (2nd release)
Second release. Limited bottling: an undiluted ensamble of 40% wild jabalí (agave convallis) collected in the hills of San José Lachiguiri, west of Miahuatlan, in dark thin infertile soils. Jabalí is very difficult to distill; here its acidic ferality is beautifully tamed by blending with a rich mature espadín from Pozo Blanco near Santiago Matatlan. Beautiful harmony of mineral intensity and espadín’s rich suavity.
750 ml / 53% abv
$120.00
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LOS NAHUALES Special Edition no. 2
Distilled in March, 2016, by Karina Abad from espadín (agave angustifolia), 69.8%, and wild cuishe (agave Karwinskii Zucch.), 30.2%. The blend (ensamble) was created by roasting, milling, fermenting, and distilling in a single batch. We like ensambles using espadín: its calm richness is the perfect backdrop to the intensity and, in the case of Karwinskii, the chocolatey slight bitterness of wild agaves. Beautiful balance.
750 ml / 48% abv
$84.00
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LOS NAHUALES Special Edition no. 4
One of the finest mezcals ever distilled, a single batch of espadín (agave angustifolia) from March, 2013. The extraordinary quality of the batch was recognised when it came from the still, and it was kept back to be matured in glass for five years, deepening and stabilizing its rich complexity. Just about perfect mezcal. We received a portion of the 770 bottles.
750 ml / 48% abv
$105.00
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Alipus
Alipus San Luis del Rio “Best Overall Mezcal” – Saveur Magazine
Tons of photos on the newly launched AlipusUSA.com
Variation in soils, climate, and altitude (terroir) as expressed in mezcals from a single species of agave, the agave espadín. Alipus mezcals are distilled in artisanal family distilleries located in remote Oaxacan pueblos. The agaves are wood-roasted in hornos (conical below-ground ovens), then slow-crushed in stone mills. Fermentation is with native yeasts in open wooden vats; the liquids and solids are then double-distilled in small wood-fired copper potstills.
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Alipus XX Anniversary Edition -San Juan del Rio
Single-batch from wild agaves, to celebrate 20 years of Alipus, the first exported mezcal with a social motive. San Juan was the first Alipus producer.
750 ml / 48% abv
$120.00
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ALIPUS XX Anniversary Edition San Andrés
A single batch of semi-wild Madrecuishe (agave Karwinskii), which is best from this Miahuatlan area. Focused. Dark chocolate in the finish.
750 ml / 47.5% abv
$120.00
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ALIPUS XX Anniversary Edition San Baltazar Guélavila
Very small single batch of wild sierrudo (agave Americana). Sierrudo takes 15-18 years to mature. Cirilo Herández' signature soft richness. Very rich fruit.
750 ml / 46% abv
$120.00
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ALIPUS XX Anniversary Edition San Miguel de Sola
Very small single batch of clay-distilled wild tobalá (agave potatorum). The Sola de Vega area is famous for its tobalá.
750 ml / 47.5% abv
$120.00
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Alipus XX Anniversary Edition Santa Ana del Rio
single-batch using wild agaves, to celebrate 20 years of Alipus, the first exported mezcal with a social motive. Santa Ana's population is 376. You have to wade across the river to get to the destilería.
750 ml / 48% abv
$120.00
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ALIPUS San Andres Ensamble
Espadín with some 15% semi-wild madrecuishe, at its best where Don Valente distills. Balanced, complex, and clean.
750 ml / 43.7% abv
$65.00
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ALIPUS San Andres
From Don Valente Angel; espadín at some 5000 feet in Miahuatlan's thin calciferous soils. Beautifully distilled. Clean, lots of fruit
750 ml / 44% abv
$48.00
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ALIPUS San Baltazar
From Don Cosmé Hernandez, espadin at 3700 feet in hilly/rocky soils. Signature softness. Fruity & delicate.
750 ml / 44% abv
$48.00
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ALIPUS San Juan del Rio
From Rodolfo Cruz Gonzales, espadin from a sunny mountain plateau, ferriferous soils. Smoky with rich fruit.
750 ml / 44% abv
$48.00
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ALIPUS San Luis del Rio
From Don Baltazar Cruz Gomez, espadín from steep sandy soils. Days are hot in San Luis, lots of flavor in the agaves. Spicy, round, soft.
750 ml / 47% abv
$48.00
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ALIPUS San Miguel de Sola – Don Leonardo Rojas, Don Jesus Rios, Don Felix Garcia
3 ancestral destilerías: very small batches milled by mazos & canoas, distilled in clay pots. The agave terrain is mountainous. Complex, intense, floral.
750 ml / 47% abv
$72.00
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ALIPUS Santa Ana del Rio
From Minerva Hernandez (great to see another female distiller!), espadín in mountainous, calciferous, & very rocky soils. Unusually cleanly distilled. Soft and lightly fruity.
750 ml / 47% abv
$48.00
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Mezcalero
Unique one-time bottlings distilled at least 50% from wild or semi-wild agaves. A batch is 6-700 bottles only. It takes a month of work to produce one batch.
The fundamental reason for this collaboration between Craft Distillers (who conceived the brand) and Los Danzantes (who coordinates production of and bottles the mezcal) is to keep something wonderful going that is at risk of disappearing. Many of these gifted family distillers find it increasingly hard to make a living by selling to local markets. They deserve a wider audience, and to achieve sustainable productivity, artisan production of mezcal is crushed under the weight of commercial interest, as happened for example in Cognac.
Each bottling is something genuinely special. The price is held down to allow affordable enjoyment of the best mezcals in production.
“The Mezcalero series is without a doubt the finest collection of mezcals I’ve ever tasted. Nothing from Del Maguey or any other bottler even comes close” – David Driscoll, K&L Wines.
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Mezcalero No. 26
Hand-distilled in April, 2019, by Don Valente Angel in Santa Maria la Pila (Miahuatlan) from semi-wild arroqueño (agave Americana). Perfectly distilled: beautiful arroqueño focus. 900 bottles.
750 ml / 47% abv
$110.00
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Mezcalero No. 27
Hand-distilled May 2019 by Rodolfo Juan Juarez in San Juan del Rio from wild tepeztate (agave marmorum), wild jabali (agave convallis), and cultivated espadín (agave angustifolia).The use of jabali is noteworthy: intensity married to earthy fruitiness; it makes wonderful mezcal but is notoriously difficult to distill. Espadín, broadly round in flavor, is the perfect backdrop for wild agaves. Special stuff. Only 18 bottles available from the 240 bottle batch.
750 ml / 46% abv
$110.00
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MEZCALERO No. 28
Hand-distilled May 2013 by Don Valente Angel in Santa Maria la Pila in Miahuatlan from wild bicuishe (agave Karwinskii), semi-wild madrecuishe (agave Karwinskii), wild Mexicano (agave rhodacantha)and cultivated espadín (agave angustifolia). Aged five years in glass: soft, balanced, complex. Unreal.
750 ml / 47% abv
$120.00
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MEZCALERO No. 29
Hand-distilled April 2019 by Octavio Jiménez Méndez in Santiago Matatlan from wild tepextate (agave marmorata). Tepextate's rich intense fullness.
750 ml / 46.5% abv
$120.00
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MEZCALERO Special No. 5
An ensamble (blended at roasting) of wild cenizo (agave durangensis) and 60% espadín (agave angustifolia) hand-distilled May 2019 by Don Rubén Solis Lozano in La Constancia, Durango. The upland agaves were wood-roasted, crushed by hand, fermented in a wood-covered underground pit using wild yeasts, double distilled in a 300-liter copper potstill, and bottled in August of 2019. The tiny cenizo is notoriously difficult to distill. Beautifully balanced: the calm rich espadín is perfect backdrop to the feral intensity of the wild cenizo. 960 bottles.
750 ml / 47% abv
$135.00
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Animas
Eber Villalobos has been in the mezcal trade for 11 years. He decided to use his knowledge to produce a genuinely excellent mezcal- no bells & whistles, no overblown hype; just the real thing.
Animas is focused on the rare wild agave called tobalá where Animas sources it. Animas distills a 100% Mixe papalometl, a truly gorgeous espadin, and a rich ensamble of the two. Everything is done as it should be, or better. This is great mezcal.
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ANIMAS Ensamble Artesanal
Beautifully distilled blend of espadín and tobalá, Herbal and fruity minerality, with a subtle sweetness.
750 ml / 48% abv
$92.00
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ANIMAS Espadin Artesanal
Distilled by Humberto Juan in San Juan del Rio in Eber Villalobos' new (& beautiful) distillery. Serious mezcal: good presence.
750 ml / 44% abv
$52.00
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ANIMAS Papalometl Artesanal
Sourced in the high Mizteca. Memorable.
750 ml / 48% abv
$120.00
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Comunidad
Hector Vasquez de Abarca, for many years in charge of production at Los Danzantes, and Ansley Coale, importer of mezcals and raicillas since 2004 and creator of the Mezcalero brand, are collaborating on a project to find, bottle, and represent superb agave spirits with the intent of helping to preserve the society and culture from which they come. Society and culture create the depth that underlies these profound human achievements, but they are threatened by rapid commercialization.
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COMUNIDAD No. 1 ~ Bramaderos
From Alberto Ortiz (Don Beto) near Miahuatlan, rich mezcal of 5 wild agaves plus espadín, grown at +/-5600 feet in shaley, ferriferous soils. Distilled October 4, 2017. Lovely soft complexity. 731 bottles.
Visiting Don Beto
750 ml / 48% abv
$110.00
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COMUNIDAD No. 2 ~ El Lazo
From Angel Cruz near Sola de Vega, 220-liter batch of COYOTE, agave Americana var. Oaxacensis grown from wild stock and harvested from a steep hillside planting by the distiller. Earthy, intense, complex. 276 bottles.
More about Angel Cruz Robles
750 ml / 52.69% abv
$120.00
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COMUNIDAD NO. 3 – RANCHO VIEJO
A small 197-liter batch of wild Mexicano (agave rhodacantha), distilled in a small pueblo south of Sola de Vega. Self taught Distiller Gabino Ramirez, rents a small still in the village and ferments in small cylindrical vats; the separated fermentations add complexity. The mezcal is a single distillation to proof, using a refrescadera mounted atop the still, which increases the rectification of the distillate. Soft and richly vegetal. The batch was distilled June, 2021. 263 bottles. Visiting Gabino and Jacopo Juarez
750 ml / 47.1% abv
$105.00
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COMUNIDAD NO. 4 – AMATENGO
We rescued the last 40 liters of a fabulous batch distilled from wild and exceptionally mature tepextate (agave marmorata) that son Luis was pouring in his mezcaleria in Oaxaca city. Distiller Sergio Juárez performed a single distillation to proof using a refrescadera; The batch was distilled January 14, 2022. 55 bottles
750 ml / 47.3% abv
$120.00
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COMUNIDAD NO. 5 – BRAMADEROS
A delicate blend (mezcla) of espadín (agave angustifolia) and wild bicuishe (agave Karwinskii) distilled by Don Beto’s son Onofre Ortiz, at the family distillery. The rolling hills of ferriferous clay-shale soils in Miahuatlan produce exceptional Karwinskii; the local mezcals are among Oaxaca’s finest, The batch was distilled in December, 2021. 293 bottles
750 ml / 47.4% abv
$89.00
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COMUNIDAD NO. 6 AMATENGO
Amatengo was once famous for its wild barril (agave Karwinskii). Sergio Juárez is deliberately restoring the reputation. Single distillation to proof preserves the floral/herbal characteristics of mezcals from this large slow-growing agave. Creamy and intense with nice minerality. The batch was distilled in February, 2022. 140 bottles
750 ml / 48.8% abv
$102.00
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COMUNIDAD NO. 7 RANCHO VIEJO
A small and exceptional batch of wild tobalá (agave potatorum), distilled in a small pueblo south of Sola de Vega. Distiller Gabino Ramirez' father Jacopo showed up when we were picking up Gabino’s mezcal and showed us this little beauty. Single distillation to proof using a refrescadera captures the delicacy of this agave, for which Sola de Vega is justly famous. Elegance from the region’s chalky soils. The batch was distilled in March of 2021. 151 bottles. Visiting Gabino and Jacopo Juarez
750 ml / 48.1% abv
$120.00
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COMUNIDAD NO. 8 BRAMADEROS
A powerful and very unusual blend, distilled by Onofre Ortiz, of 6 wild agaves (arroqueño, bicuishe, coyote, madrecuishe, Mexicano, and tepeztate) against a calm backdrop of espadín. Beautifully balanced and very very complex. Don Beto said regretfully that he had been saving this for himself. The batch was distilled December 9, 2021. Do not miss this. We have only 80 bottles.
750 ml / 48.6% abv
$120.00
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COMUNIDAD NO. 9 Santa Catarina Minas
Wild sierrudo, a very large variety of agave Americana that takes a long time to mature, some 20 years. Lactic, herbal complexity, rich long finish. The batch was distilled in March, 2022. 55 bottles
750 ml / 50.1% abv
$172.00
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COMUNIDAD NO. 10 – Santa Catarina Minas
Wild tobasiche, a variety of agave Karwinskii, one that also takes a long time to mature. Gently rich, nicely round. The batch was distilled in November of 2021. 55 bottles
750 ml / 51.9% abv
$125.00
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COMUNIDAD NO. 11- Santa Catarina Minas
Wild jabalí, agave convallis, an agave so hard to distill that many avoid it. Creamy and sweet, fabulous length. A masterpiece. The batch was distilled in February, 2022. 55 bottles
750 ml / 51.9% abv
$161.00
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COMUNIDAD NO. 12 – Santa Catarina Minas
Wild tripón, a local agave Karwinskii variant that is very rarely distilled. Rich and spicy complexity. The batch was distilled in March, 2021. 48 bottles
750 ml / 46.8% abv
$172.00
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Cuentacuentos
A wide range of fabulous small-batch mezcals: Read Spear has brought on some wonderfully talented distillers. But making great artisanal mezcal happen is not just about finding talented distillers: it’s about doing business with them in a way that keeps this beautiful human activity alive. His real accomplishment is making his dream their dream too: people doing what they love, what they give their hearts to. It shows up in the mezcal.
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CUENTACUENTOS Barro Mezcal
Small 30-liter batches of joven (blanco) espadín (agave angustifolia), with the first distillation in copper, the second distillation in a clay pot still. Wonderful mouth-feel. Great price for clay-finished mezcal.
750 ml / 46% abv
$48.00
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CUENTACUENTOS Barro – Entire 2nd Distillation Batch
Craft Distillers sells batches to bars that are the entirety of a second distillation in a small clay pot, 30 1 liter bottles. We put your name (or your group's) and the batch number on a strip label: you would have the only 30 bottles in the world.
Call Kristie Meyer at 707 468-7899 or kmeyer@craftdistillers.com
30 x 1000 ml / 46% abv
$2,500.00
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CUENTACUENTOS Arroqueño ancestral – MCRios
Wild agave Americana from Miguel Cruz Rios in El Lazo, west of Sola de Vega. The region's arroqueño has a feral intensity. Complex, & well-distilled.
750 ml / 46.34% abv
$120.00
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CUENTACUENTOS Arroqueño Artesanal -A.C.Robles
From Angel Cruz Robles in El Lazo in the mountains above Sola de Vega. Agave Americana var. Clean arroqueño intensity.
750 ml / 50% abv
$120.00
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CUENTACUENTOS Coyote Ancestral–A.Calvo
On clay potstills. A wild local sub-varietal of agave Americana. Another beauty from Ángel Cruz Calvo in El Lazo above Sola de Vega
750 ml / 45.67% abv
$120.00
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CUENTACUENTOS Coyote Ancestral-A.C.Robles
On clay potstills. A wild local sub-varietal of agave Americana. Another beauty from Ángel Cruz Robles in El Lazo above Sola de Vega.
Exceptionally clean.
750 ml / 45.67% abv
$120.00
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CUENTACUENTOS Cuish Artesanal – Serafin Garcia
Wild Agave Karwinskii from Serafin Garcia Geronimo near San Dioniso Ocotopec. Beautifully distilled.
750 ml / 47.9% abv
$86.00
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CUENTACUENTOS Cupreata (Papalote) artesanal-B. Gatica
Wild agave cupreata capón harvested at 1600 meters from Benigno Sanchez Gatica in El Peral, Chilapa de Alvarez, Guerrero state. Cupreata is at its' best in Guerrero. Ansley's favorite agave/intense.
750 ml / 47.9% abv
$125.00
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CUENTACUENTOS Espadín ancestral – MCRios
Mountain-grown agave and gustifolia from Miguel Cruz Rios in El Lazo, west of Sola de Vega. Chalky soils, mountainous terrain and ancestral methods create a uniquely worthy mezcal.
750 ml / 46.22% abv
$89.00
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CUENTACUENTOS Espadin Ancestral -A.C. Robles
On clay potstills. From Angel Robles above Sola De Vega. Agave angustifolia.
750 ml / 48% abv
$89.00
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CUENTACUENTOS Espadin Artesanal -Serafin
From Serafin Garcia Geronimo near San Dioniso Ocotopec. Agave angustifolia
750 ml / 48% abv
$70.00
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CUENTACUENTOS Madrecuishe Artesanal-Everardo
Semi-wild agave Karwisnskii fron Everardo Garcia Salvador in San Pablo Mitla (the 1544 church stands on top of great Mizteca ruins). Soft minerality from chalky soil
750 ml / 47.59% abv
$96.00
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Cuentacuentos Mexicano Artesanal-L.Santos
Wild agave macroacanthai from Laurentino Santos in Santa Catarina Coatlan in Miahuatlan. Nice minerality from the ferriferous soils.
46.7% abv
$115.00
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CUENTACUENTOS Tepeztate Artesanal – Serafin
From Serafin Garcia Geronimo near San Dioniso Ocotopec. Agave marmorata.
750 ml / 48% abv
$99.00
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CUENTACUENTOS Tobala -D.Leon
Wild agave potatorum from Daniel Léon in Quielela near Sola de Vega, Ancestral distillation in a clay pot still. Tobalá from Sola de Vega distilled in clay is about as good as mezcal gets.
750 ml / 45.88% abv
$99.00
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CUENTACUENTOS Tobala Ancestral-A.C.Calvo
From Ángel Cruz Calvo in El Lazo in the mountains above Sola de Vega. The rare agave Seemania: worth buying. Scarce
750 ml / 47.3% abv
$120.00
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CUENTACUENTOS Tobalá ancestral – A.C.Robles
The wild and rare variant agave Seemania from Angel Cruz Robles in El Lazo, west of Sola de Vega. The region produces Oaxaca's best tobalás. Complex and mineral. Great mezcal from a great distiller
750 ml / 47.5% abv
$120.00
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CUENTACUENTOS Tobala Artesanal – Serafin
From Serafín Garcia Gerónimo near San Dioniso Ocotopec. Wild agave potatorum. Good price for tobalá.
750 ml / 45% abv
$96.00
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CUENTACUENTOS Tobala Everardo
From Everardo Garcia Salvador in San Pablo Mitla. Agaves potatorum & angustifolia.
750 ml / 47.5% abv
$90.00
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