Reviews / Marca Negra Tobala

Review · · by The Editors

Marca Negra Tobala

Jorge Méndez tobalá – shelf-available, proof-correct

Score: 3.5/5 agaves

Marca Negra Tobala bottle
  • Producer: Marca Negra Mezcal
  • Maestro: Jorge Mendez
  • Region: San Luis del Rio, Oaxaca
  • Agave: Tobala
  • ABV: 48%
  • Price: $70 ($$)

Verdict

Marca Negra tobalá is the bottle we'd trust on a restaurant list that doesn't stock Mal Bien Ramos or Banhez Tobalá – Jorge Méndez keeps the proof honest and the cut clean across San Luis del Río batches. Lower-proof bottlings drink less assertive than higher-proof ones; if you see 50%+ on the label, grab it.

Tobalá on the restaurant list that isn't apologetic

Tasting notes

Nose: Honey, floral, crushed mineral, warm spice

Palate: 48-52% across batches of copper tobalá – Jorge Méndez's San Luis del Río cut delivers a warmer, richer potatorum than the refrescador Miahuatlán tobalás, with proof variability depending on the batch

Finish: Long, floral, warm

The bottom line

The shelf tobalá for when craft options are scarce

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