Destilado de agave produced in Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca
Maestros Mezcaleros: The Monterrosa Family
Distilled from Espadín (Agave angustifolia)
Cooked in a conical earthen pit oven
Milled using traditional horse-drawn tahona made of pink cantera stone
Open-air fermented in cypress & pine vats (tinas) using ambient yeast and well water
Distilled twice in traditional copper pot stills
Addition on the second pass of marigold, hawthorn, wild apple, guava, mandarin orange, lime, cacao, canela (cinnamon), pan de muerto, and squash
Marigold leads with a whisper of purple flowers behind it, followed by mandarin orange, the aroma of fresh clay, tomatillo, mango peel, glazed carrots and parsnips, canela, coriander, and a hint of clove, cardamom, and mace
48% ABV (ABV may vary batch to batch)
This edition of Cuish’s annual offering for Dia de los Muertos, named Fieles Difuntos (Faithful Departed), produced annually at founder Felix Monterrosa’s own family palenque. In the second pass through the still, traditional offerings of the Dia de los Muertos altar—the ofrenda—are added to the mezcal, in much the same style as a pechuga. Marigold is the dominant addition, with seasonal fruits and spices alongside. This year’s edition features a richer profile of warm spices and roots and almost seems comforting on the palate. Although produced in tribute to the deceased, this spirit remains very much alive!