When you think of Mezcal, you obviously think of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Or you do if you know David Suro, the man, the myth, the legend behind the spirits we’re featuring in our February tasting for Mission Mezcal Club. David has done so much to advocate for these spirits, and we’re lucky to have him in Philly, and even more lucky to have him as our special guest for this month’s virtual tasting.
Our conversation with David will surely lean more toward the experiential than the technical, so we’re gonna cover those details here for you as a reference. Salud!
MEZCAL #1: SIEMBRA METL CUPREATA
Maestro: Jose Emilio Vieyra Rangel
Origen: Michoacan, Mex
Agave: Cupreata
ABV: 46%
Notes: Michoacan is a state within Mexico that has a terrain more like that of the Blue Ridge Mountains, than the arid fields you might imagine agave growing in. These Cupreata varietal agave grow on high-altitude peaks among pine trees and moss. These neighboring species most definitely have an effect on the flavor of this particular agave and the mezcal it created. Notes of herbaceous pine, and wet earth abound.
MEZCAL #2: DON MATEO SILVESTRE
Maestro: Jose Emilio Vieyra Rangel
Origen: Michoacan, Mex
Agave: Wild Cupreata
ABV: 50%
Notes: “Silvestre” is a word you’ll come across on mezcal labels, and it indicates that the agave that were used to make it were harvested in the wild. In this case, they are wild Cupreata from the mountainside of El Limon in Michoacan, where they thrive with the help of cows and chickens, herbicide and pesticide free. You really get that pine scent and flavor with this one, all complemented by gentle cedar notes.
MEZCAL #3: DON MATEO MANSO DE SAHUAYO
Maestro: Jose Emilio Vieyra Rangel
Origen: Michoacan, Mex
Agave: Manso de Sahuayo
ABV: 48%
Notes: Manso de Sahuayo is the agave formerly known as Cenizo, which translates to “ashen,” because of it’s dusty, grayish appearance. True to form it has flavors of roasted agave, baking spice and clay.
MEZCAL #4: MEZONTE JORGE PEREZ
Maestro: Jorge Perez
Origen: Michoacan, Mex
Agave: Alto
ABV: 49%
Notes: Mezonte is a noprofit organization that promotes, supports, and preserves the production and practices of traditional agave spirits. They feature agave spirits from all over Mexico, with an emphasis on Jalisco and Michoacán. When Mezonte buys a batch from a producer, they only buy 60% of the batch because they want the community and the culture of the community to continue to consume and enjoy as they have for hundreds of years. Mezonte Michoacan is made with maguey Alto (agave Inaequidens) and the agave are cooked in a shallow brick oven (if you dig too deep, you hit water), fermented in brick with about 6 liters of pulque, and distilled in a hollowed out tree trunk that has a copper top. Master distiller Jorge Perez is described as “the alchemist,” and when you taste this beautiful mezcal you can see why.