Reviews / Vago Mexicano, Arroqueño

Review · · by The Editors

Vago Mexicano, Arroqueño

Joel Barriga's mexicano-arroqueño – a heavier Vago

Score: 4.0/5 agaves

Vago Mexicano, Arroqueño bottle
  • Producer: Vago Mezcal
  • Maestro: Joel Barriga
  • Region: Hacienda Tapanala, Oaxaca
  • Agave: Arroqueño, Mexicano
  • ABV: 51.3%
  • Price: $150 ($$)

Verdict

Joel Barriga is the Elote maestro, which means we already knew he had range; the mexicano-arroqueño confirms he can apply the same savory, structural hand to a heavy wild-agave ensamble without blurring either voice. Two dense agaves at 51.3% sharing a honey-green register without muddying is the kind of composition that usually needs a second bottle to get right. Barriga does it first try.

Joel Barriga – the Elote maestro – applying the same hand to wild agaves

Tasting notes

Nose: Dark honey, green herb, hot stone, warm earth

Palate: Dense at 51.3% – arroqueño's weight balances mexicano's lift

Finish: Mineral, warm. Very long

The bottom line

Worth the price for the blend alone from a maestro worth tracking

Where to buy online

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

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