Reviews / La Jicarita Café / Chocolate

Review · · by The Editors

La Jicarita Café / Chocolate

Coffee-chocolate pechuga – a novelty that stays drinkable

Score: 3.0/5 agaves

La Jicarita Café / Chocolate bottle
  • Producer: La Jicarita Mezcal
  • Maestro: Celso Martínez López
  • Region: Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca
  • Agave: Espadin
  • ABV: 48%
  • Price: $55 ($)

Verdict

Flavored pechugas are a risky format, and La Jicarita's coffee-chocolate lands on the right side of the line by keeping the additions modest. At 48% the base espadín holds its own; the flavoring reads as seasoning rather than syrup. Buy for the novelty if that's your thing; don't expect it to replace a serious pechuga. Compare to La Luna's ponche navideño for a similar conceptual play.

A dessert pechuga that doesn't become dessert

Tasting notes

Nose: Coffee, then cocoa, cooked agave, a hint of smoke

Palate: 48% – Celso Martínez López's coffee-and-chocolate pechuga treats the flavoring as a glaze rather than a veil; the espadín base is still audible underneath

Finish: Sweet, warm. Stays medium

The bottom line

Buy for dessert-course service; not a daily pour

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