Del Maguey® Single Village Mezcal

From the Heart of the Maguey and the Soul of the Village®

Written by Brian Donnelly, CSS, WSET III

Parent Company: Pernod Ricard

Establish: 1995

Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM): 041X

Del Maguey (pronounced ma–gay), Single Village Mezcal was founded in 1995 by internationally renowned artist and mezcal visionary, Ron Cooper. Ron introduced the world to previously unavailable artisanal mezcal produced the original handcrafted way. Through deep cultural relationships with Zapotec Mexican Indian producers in the remote villages of Oaxaca and Puebla, Mexico, Del Maguey harnesses ancient, original organic processes. Combining these methods with varying micro-climates and terroir gives each creation its own unique, rich, sweet and smoky character. Every product in our collection is made by individual family palenqueros (producers) in old-style villages. We are the first producer to credit each product after the village where our liquid is made. When you see our beautiful green bottles you know it’s Del Maguey.

Source: delmaguey.com

VIDA de San Luis Del Rio®

An artisanal, Organic Mezcal from Del Maguey, at an entry-level price point and broader availability. Launched in 2010, it is highly mixable and has arrived to much anticipated industry acceptance and high bartender demand. Hand crafted, it is twice distilled, very slowly in small wood-fired, riverside copper stills to flavor specifications that underscore its versatility in cocktails.

81 Proof (42% ABV)

TLDR: Handcrafted organic Mezcal that is highly mixable and perfect for cocktails.

Village: San Luis Del Rio
Palenquero: Paciano Cruz Nolasco, Marcos Cruz Mendez
State: Oaxaca
Region: Valles Centrales
Maguey: Espadin
Agave Species: A. angustifolia haw
Age of Maguey: 7-8 years
Elevation: 2952 feet (900 meters)
Roast Duration: 3-8 days
Type of Wood: Mezquite, Quebrachi, Huamuchil, Pitayo, Pochotle, Tepeguaje, Copal Tepomaco, Pino, Encino
Milling: Molino, Electric
Size of Tinas: 1400 L
Fermentation Duration: 8-10 days
Water Source: Rio Hormiga Colorada
Still Type: Copper
Still Size: 350 L

Crema de Mezcal™

A combination of Miel de Maguey (unfermented syrup of the roast agave) and Mezcal San Luis del Rio – double distilled from 100% mature agave Espadin, produced the original, natural 400-year-old, hand-crafted way. As the five day magueyroast is uncovered, the Miel of a few of the sweetest magueys are pressed out. 10% Miel de Maguey is added to 90% San Luis del Rio resulting in an 80 proof Crema de Mezcal. We have created, in Crema, a totally original and natural, single village produced libation.

TLDR: Unique expression where agave nectar is added to the mezcal of San Luis Del Rio.

80 Proof (40% ABV)

Village: San Luis Del Rio
Palenquero: Paciano Cruz Nolasco, Marcos Cruz Mendez
State: Oaxaca
Region: Valles Centrales
Maguey: Espadin
Agave Species: A. angustifolia haw
Age of Maguey: 6-8 years
Elevation: 2952 feet (900 meters)
Roast Duration: 3-8 days
Type of Wood: Mezquite, Quebrachi, Huamuchil, Pitayo, Pochotle, Tepeguaje, Copal Tepomaco, Pino, Encino
Milling: Molino, Electric
Size of Tinas: 1400 L
Fermentation Duration: 6-8 days
Water Source: Rio Hormiga Colorada
Still Type: Copper
Still Size: 350 L

Original Village Series

The Del Maguey Original Village Series pays homage to the masterful hands of our foundational four palenqueros and the rich terroir of Oaxaca. These special four expressions represent the beginning of the Del Maguey linage dating back over 20 years. First released in 1995-96, the Original Single Village Series highlights the distinct styles and traditions of the four palenqueros. The expressions are 100% Maguey Espadin harvested from four villages within a relatively small geographical region, yet each possesses a unique microclimate. The result is a wonderful study of the art of the producer and the various, distinct flavors provided through the diverse biodiversity of Oaxaca.

San Luis Del Rio

Two hours south of Oaxaca on a two-lane, pot holed highway on route to the Gulf of Tehuantepec is the turnoff to San Luis Del Rio. One takes another 2 hours on a winding, rocky, dirt road. The pueblo is located in a narrow, hot valley, with steep slopes full of Maguey Espadin. The Rio Hormiga Colorada (Red Ant River) flows through it. You may see Pacia-no Cruz Nolasco, tending his fields. Above the large fields of Maguey, the tops of the mountains are scattered with cornfields, Iguanas crawling across the road, the trees and cactus with Bromeliads growing on them.

94 Proof (47% ABV)

TLDR: Sourced from the very remote part of Oaxaca sits the town of San Luis Del Rio.

Village: San Luis Del Rio
Palenquero: Paciano Cruz Nolasco, Marcos Cruz Mendez
State: Oaxaca
Region: Valles Centrales
Maguey: Espadin
Agave Species: A. angustifolia haw
Age of Maguey: 7-8 years
Elevation: 2952 feet (900 meters)
Roast Duration: 3-8 days
Type of Wood: Mezquite, Quebrachi, Huamuchil, Pitayo, Pochotle, Tepeguaje, Copal Tepomaco, Pino, Encino
Milling: Wheel, Electric
Size of Tinas: 350 L
Fermentation Duration: 8-10 days
Water Source: Rio Hormiga Colorada
Still Type: Copper
Still Size: 350 L
Vol Ordinario per Tina: 200 L
Vol Mezcal Produced per tina: 100-120 L

Chichicapa

The pueblo elevation is 5,052 ft. in a broad valley with a desert and tropical micro-climate.

92 Proof (46% ABV)

TLDR: The first Palenque from the Del Maguey brand.

Village: San Balthazar Chichicapa
Palenquero: Faustino Garcia Vasquez, Garcia Chávez
State: Oaxaca
Region: Valles Centrales
Maguey: Espadin
Agave Species: A. angustifolia haw
Age of Maguey: 7-8 years
Elevation: 1540 meters (5052 feet)
Roast Duration: 4-5 days
Type of Wood: Sabino, Encino, Ocote, Eucalyptus, Huamuchil Milling: Molino, Horse
Size of Tinas: 1700 L
Fermentation Duration: 6-8 days
Water Source: Well
Still Type: Copper
Still Size: 350 L

Santo Domingo Albarradas

Santo Domingo Albarradas is located in the Mixe (pronounced Mee-Hay) region south of Oaxaca. The Mixe is a high altitude tropical zone closely resembling parts of Hawaii. Tropical plants and fruits grow here beside rushing mountain streams. Cool gray mists blow through the valleys and pine trees also grow nearby. The water here is spectacular! Espiridion Morales Luis and his son Juan are our Palenqueros. Espiridion has been making Mezcal since the Fifties. He is soft spoken and sincere which reflects in the honesty of his mezcal.

96 Proof (48% ABV)

TLDR: Sourced from the high altitude and tropical area of Oaxaca, called the Mixe.

Village: Santo Domingo Albarradas
Palenquero: Espiridion Morales Luis, Juan Morales Luis, Armando Morales Luis, Ester Morales Luis
State: Oaxaca
Region: Valles Centrales
Maguey: Espadin
Agave Species: A. angustifolia haw
Age of Maguey: 8-10 years
Elevation: 4855 feet (1480 meters)
Roast Duration: 4-8 days
Type of Wood: Oak
Size of Tinas: 2300 L
Fermentation Duration: 10-12 days
Water Source: Spring
Still Type: Copper
Still Size: 350 L

Minero - Santa Catarina Minas

One hour beyond the village of Chichicapa and through a mountain pass, one arrives at Santa Catarina Minas. This pueblo has an arid semi-tropical microclimate and great water! The palenqueros, Florencio Carlos Sarmiento and his sons Florencio Carlos Vasquez and Luis Carlos Vasquez, are true craftsmen. Their “palenque” site of production is the most well organized we have seen, including a cistern to cool and recycle the water used in the con- densation process. The still is made of clay with bamboo tubing, giving Minero its unique fruity character.

98 Proof (49% ABV)

TLDR: As opposed to the traditional copper still, Minero is made in a clay still with bamboo tubing.

Village: Santa Catarina Minas
Palenquero: Palenquero: Florencio Carlos Sarmiento, Florencio Carlos Vasquez, Luis Carlos Vasquez, Luis Carlos Martinez
State: Oaxaca
Region: Valles Centrales
Maguey: Espadin
Agave Species: A. angustifolia haw
Age of Maguey: 8-14 years
Elevation: 5052 feet (1540 meters)
Roast Duration: 4-5 days
Type of Wood: Huizache, Algaroble, Plum,
Oak, Zapote, Jacaranda, Mango, Jarilla, Eucalyptus,
Araucaria, Castor, Pitayo
Size of Tinas: 1400 L
Fermentation Duration: 15-25 days
Water Source: Well
Still Type: Clay
Still Size: 100 L

Las Milpas

Climbing the rugged dirt roads high above San Dionisio Ocotopec, we discover the remote village of Las Milpas, a true example that “you don’t find Mezcal, Mezcal finds you.” Here, nestled among the cornfields overlooking rolling pastures, lies the palenque of Anastacio Cruz Antonio and his sons Rigoberto, Pedro and Abel.

Their Single Village expression is crafted by roasting ripe agave Espa-din in an earthen horno carved into the granite hillside. Roasted agave is milled using a horse-drawn molino and fermented using only ambient microbes and yeasts in open-air wooden fermentation tanks and twice distilled in small copper stills.

92 Proof (46% ABV)

Village: Las Milpas
Palenquero: Familia Cruz Antonio: Anastacio, and sons Rigoberto, Abel y Pedro
State: Oaxaca
Region: Valles Centrales, above San Dionisio OcotopecMaguey: Espadin
Agave Species: A. angustolia haw
Age of Maguey: 8-10 years
Elevation: 5600 feet (1700 meters)
Roast Duration: 4 days
Type of Wood: Encino
Milling: Horse drawn molino
Size of Tinas: 1400 L
Fermentation Duration: 7-10 days
Water Source: Local spring (manantial)
Still Type: Copper
Still Size: 350 L

The contents, statements, and thoughts expressed on this site are purely my own and do not officially represent the opinions of any supplier, brand, or distillery. All brand names are the official copy right of their respective parent company, and I do not own the right to any of the included brands on this website. Any mistakes made on this website are purely my own.

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