Alipus San Juan del Rio Mezcal
47.5% ABV
$50-$60
Website
What the Producer Says
Alipús Mezcal is a gift born from the soul of our land. It captivates us with its various presentations, each one a unique expression connecting us to the families that create their particular elixir for the delightful enjoyment of the world. Alipús Mezcal is an open invitation to Mexico as your second home.
Founded in 1999, Alipús started out as an alternative project supported by Los Danzantes Distillery. The idea was to create a map of Oaxacan mezcals showing how the conditions where each is produced differentiates the final product, with distinct soils, waters and climates having a singular influence on the land where each mezcal is grown.
Alipús seeks to promote and develop awareness about traditional mezcal producers in Oaxaca – in particular about their knowledge and high-quality products. Current distribution and branding efforts have resulted in superlative reviews and increased economic development for traditional mezcal farmers where before there was very little.
100% maguey Espadín (Agave angustifolia Haw.)
Roasting: Stone-lined pit at ground level.
Milling: Millstone pulled by horse.
Fermentation: 2,500-liter pine vats.
Distillation: Discontinuous double distillation in copper stills.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Master mezcaleros: Joel, René, Abelio Antonio Juan and Rodolfo Juan Juárez.
Soil: San Juan del Rio, Tlacolula, Oaxaca. Tierras blancas, poor in organic material, with stony, silt texture.
Palenque elevation: 1,125 MASL.
Altitude at which the maguey is planted: 1,250 to 1,700 MASL
TASTING NOTES:
Color: Clear.
Aroma: Caramel, roasted maguey, citrus, spices and herbs.
Palate: Herbal and mineral notes. Light, rugged flavors. Fresh acidity with medium lingering flavor.
Pairing: Enchiladas mineras, scrambled eggs, aged cheese, garnachas istmeñas (meat pies).
What Gary Says
DISCLAIMER: I’m a whisk(e)y enthusiast, and not familiar with Mezcal (so read at your own risk!)
Nose: Earthy smokiness, edging on peaty, more vegetal with agave and grilled poblano peppers.
Palate: Thick and viscous mouthfeel, sweet, earthy with a smokey bit of lime, tangerine and orange, pepper, subtle corn.
Finish: Short in length, really dry with tobacco and roasted lime.
Comments: My third and last of the three samples from the Flaviar Mezcal tasting box, and the most different of the three. More smoke and earthiness, less corn, more lime. Hard to pick if I liked this more than the Rey Campero Espadin Mezcal; this reminds me more of a peaty Scotch than a corn-distillate white dog. I really liked it. Really thick and viscous, like a nice non-chill filtered single malt. Last reminder – given my inexperience in this category, I’m not comfortable assigning any different rating for these three. I enjoyed this one the most, but can’t really inform if it was a good, average, great example of the category – so will leave it as Stands Out. If anyone finds I’m short-changing any, that’s the reason why.