El Jolgorio Mexicano Mezcal

In Mexico, mezcals are distilled in an entirely natural and unhurried process, often utilizing traditions and family recipes that have been passed down for generations. The principal ingredient used in crafting mezcal the agave plant requires seven to twenty years to mature before being harvested. While a few varieties of agave have been domesticated, others must be harvested from the wild, rugged terrains of Mexicos tiny villages. As a result, a single batch of mezcal, which can produce as few as 1,000 bottles, begins with the harvesting of 10 tons of agave and can take up to 25 years to produce, from start to finish.Once the agave have been harvested, the heart of the plant, or pias, are cooked for several days in large, earthen pits lined with hot stones, and then crushed under the weight of a massive stone wheel, usually drawn by a horse or burro. After the pias are crushed, the pulp is placed in a large wooden vat, together with ambient yeast, in order to begin fermentation. After several days, expert mezcaleros determine by taste, smell and sight when the wash is ready for distillation.When the wash is ready, the mezcaleros distill it through traditional copper stills that are heated over wood fires. The journey from the farm, or hacienda, to bottle is long and arduous, but every step is conducted with the careful attention and pride necessary to produce a complex yet smooth mezcal.El Jolgorio Mezcal MexicanoAgave Type: Espadin MexicanoRegion: Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca, MexicoMaestro Mezcalero: Valentin Cortes Y GregorioProof: 94 (47 percent ABV)Details: Crafted using a rare varietal of agave that grows in moist environments at low elevations, resulting in a plant that is high in sugars and low in impurities.Tasting Notes: Intense tropical fruits, with hints of citrus, banana and a touch of black pepper.Pick up a bottle today!