Reviews / El Rey Zapoteco Tepeztate

Review · · by The Editors

El Rey Zapoteco Tepeztate

Tepextate at 48% – respectable mid-tier work at proof the agave actually uses

Score: 3.5/5 agaves

El Rey Zapoteco Tepeztate bottle
  • Producer: El Rey Zapoteco Mezcal
  • Maestro: Hernandez Escobar Family
  • Region: Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca
  • Agave: Tepextate
  • ABV: 48%
  • Price: $70 ($$)

Verdict

Disciplined without being showy, which is the right register at this price tier. Not a reference tepextate; not pretending to be. Buy it if the El Jolgorio, Dos Pasiones, or Buen Camino tepextates aren't available; El Rey Zapoteco is the category-introduction bottle, not the reason to learn the agave.

A respectable mid-tier tepextate at appropriate proof

Tasting notes

Nose: Wildflower. Then wet stone, white pepper, cooling herb, a faint dried-lavender undertone

Palate: Aromatic at 48%. The agave's signature is present if not amplified – floral lift, mineral spine, drying herbal close, and the proof is adequate for the 25-year agronomy tepextate requires

Finish: Cooling, drying, with a slow floral fade. Very long

The bottom line

Fine as a tepextate category introduction

Where to buy online

We found this bottle at 1 US retailer. Prices and stock vary – click through to check.

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