Mal Bien Zacatoro

Item: Mal Bien Zacatoro
Rating: 4.5
Author: The Editors

Guerrero sacatoro at 51.3% – the Barranca brothers at the proof they prefer

Score: 4.5/5 agaves

Producer: Mal Bien
Maestro: Ciro Barranca, Javier Barranca
Region: Chilapa de Álvarez, Guerrero
Agave: Sacatoro
ABV: 51.3%
Price: $70 ($)

Verdict

Sacatoro is espadín's wild highland cousin, and 51.3% is where it stops being polite. Ciro and Javier Barranca push it to the proof where every aromatic note is supported by structural drive. Put it against Dixeebe's 52% espadín for a Guerrero-vs-Oaxaca angustifolia lesson.

Sacatoro at the proof it always wanted

Tasting notes

Nose: Lemongrass with wildflower, cooked agave, crushed pepper

Palate: 51.3% of highland angustifolia (sacatoro) – the Barranca brothers push the Guerrero character harder than the Maguey Melate Israel Petronilo Apolinar bottle, and the agave sings at volume

Finish: Warm, herbal – very long

The bottom line

Commit. Sacatoro at full volume