Reviews / Mezcalero No. 11
Review · · by The Editors
Mezcalero No. 11
Alberto Ortiz's karwinskii-heavy ensamble in the Mezcalero format
Score: 4.5/5 agaves
- Producer: Mezcalero Mezcal
- Maestro: Alberto Ortiz
- Region: Miahuatlán, Oaxaca
- Agave: Bicuishe, Espadin, Madrecuishe, Mexicano
- ABV: 47.3%
- Price: $70 ($$)
Verdict
The Mezcalero line is the U.S. market's most consistent introduction to single-lot wild-agave ensambles, and No. 11 is one of the more compelling releases in the series. Alberto Ortiz builds a karwinskii-forward chord with structural support from mexicano, and at 47.3% the whole thing lands. Hunt when available, the Mezcalero line tends to disappear fast.
Mezcalero's single-lot format is where Craft Distillers earns its reputation
Tasting notes
Nose: Wet limestone, green herb, underripe melon, a fine smoke
Palate: 47.3% with the karwinskii family (bicuishe, madrecuishe) anchoring the ensamble and mexicano adding aromatic lift, the whole thing plays like a full Oaxaca wild-agave chord held steady
Finish: Mineral, complex. Long
The bottom line
Chase it down. Single-lot ensamble at a fair bracket