Cinco Elementos Cuishe

Item: Cinco Elementos Cuishe
Rating: 3.5
Author: The Editors

Cuishe at 47.9-48.5% – standard-proof village cuishe

Score: 3.5/5 agaves

Producer: Cinco Elementos Mezcal (M5CE)
Maestro: Faustina Garcia, Luiz Martinez
Region: San Lorenzo Albarradas, Oaxaca
Agave: Cuishe
ABV: 47.9%
Price: $40–90 ($$)

Verdict

A credible cuishe. Cinco Elementos's cuishe at 47.9-48.5% sits where the karwinskii family expresses cleanly – not the producer's strongest (the espadín and high-proof tepextate outrun it), but an honest village cuishe from a producer whose range consistently stays disciplined. The San Lorenzo Albarradas profile adds a slightly drier register than neighboring villages. Middle of the range, honestly priced.

Cuishe done at village caliber

Tasting notes

Nose: Green pepper, wet stone, mineral damp

Palate: Lean, cuishe's vegetal spine readable

Finish: Cooling, drying – long

The bottom line

A respectable Cinco Elementos