MAL BIEN AZUL CIRO + JAVIER BARRANCA 48.5% 750ML CHILAPA DE ALVAREZ, GUERRERO

While he’s included maguey azul in past ensambles, this is the first batch Javier has produced exclusively using tequilana agaves, which are still something of a novelty in Chilapa. After spending much of his 20s living in Chicago, Javier returned to his hometown, Ahuacuotzintla, to help his grandfather, the legendary Ciro Barranca. While Don Ciro passed away in 2022, Javier continues his grandfather’s traditions, distilling in his fabrica, purchasing agave from the families who sold to his family for generations, and hosting the local Alcohólicos Anónimos chapter that his grandfather started below the distillery. PRODUCTION OVENS: 10 ton pit COOK TIME: 4-5 Days WOOD: Encino Amarillo, Encino Prieto, Tepozcahuite, Tepehuaje REST: 1 Day MILL: wood chipper FERM TANKS: ayacahuite WATER: spring FERM. TIME: 5-7 days DISTILLATIONS: Two STILLS: 2 x 400 liter copper alambiques ADJUSTMENT: Puntas y Colas