COMUNIDAD – RANCHO VIEJO
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Both Gabino Juarez and his father Jacopo pay to use a couple of small stills in a communal distillery in Rancho Viejo
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On the way to Ranch Viejo. Four hours from Oaxaca City
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Gabino does single-distillation mezcals. On top of his still is a refrescadera, a water-cooled rectification chamber. To our taste, these mezcals are truer to the agave.
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Gabino ferments in small cylindrical vats. There’s a bit of added complexity from variations in fermentation.
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Jacobo Juan and his grandson at Gabino’s house. The kid, aged four, brought out folding chairs when we drove up.
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Talking mezcals and prices.
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Loading Jacobo’s tobala.