Reviews / Del Maguey Minero

Review · · by The Editors

Del Maguey Minero

Santa Catarina Minas through the Del Maguey gate – clay-still weight, cleanly presented

Score: 4.0/5 agaves

Del Maguey Minero bottle
  • Producer: Del Maguey Mezcal
  • Maestro: Felix Cruz Angeles, Florencio Carlos Sarmiento, Florencio Carlos Vasquez, Luis Carlos Vasquez
  • Region: Santa Catarina Minas, Oaxaca
  • Agave: Espadin
  • ABV: 46%
  • Price: $75 ($$)

Verdict

Minero is a textbook introduction to clay-pot distillation. At 46% the structure is right, and the Carlos family's production shines through the Del Maguey labeling. If you want to understand the category's textural range without the top-tier price, this is the answer.

This is what a clay still does that a copper still cannot

Tasting notes

Nose: Warm clay, then dark fruit, fresh chile, roasted nut

Palate: Noticeably thicker than any espadín has a right to be, that's the olla de barro showing – with a savory midpalate that keeps going

Finish: Saline, herbal. Long

The bottom line

A gateway into clay-still mezcal, one of Del Maguey's most honest bottles

Where to buy online

We found this bottle at 3 US retailers. Prices and stock vary – click through to check.

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