Ordinario
Mezcal seems simple but it's full of complexity. It's natural that the vocabulary of mezcal is quite detailed: There are words for every tool, nuance, and step in the process - and many change by location. So, it makes sense
Mezcal by Proxy – The Tres Tiempos Story
One of the great frustrations so many of us have felt over the years is how few mezcal producers, the actual mezcaleros, are able to represent themselves and the mezcal they produce. This of course has everything to do with
NETA is finally here
My first inkling about NETA’s existence was six years ago after the first Mexico in a Bottle. It was a stressful day because it was our first real, honest to god public mezcal tasting, so we’d been running around putting
Neta Bicuixe tasting notes
Details Location: MiahuatlanAgave: Bicuixe Maestro Mezcalero: Hermogenes VasquezVintage: April 2016Quantity: 200 litersABV: 46.9%Tasting keywords: green, fresh cut brush, herbalNOM: UncertifiedBuy it today Nose Hermogenes' bicuixe has an intensely herbal nose. It's like someone was cutting the sage brush on
Neta Ensemble tasting notes
Details Location: Miahuatlan, OaxacaAgave: Ensemble of Madrecuixe, Bicuixe, and EspadínMaestro Mezcalero: Ranulfo Garcia PachechoVintage: May 2018Quantity: 800 litersABV: 49.85%Tasting keywords: bitter sweet balanceNOM: UncertifiedBuy it today Nose Cocoa powder and roasted agave. Taste This ensemble is full of all sorts of bright notes.
Neta Espadin tasting notes
Details Location: Miahuatlan, OaxacaAgave: Espadin Maestro Mezcalero: Candido Garcia CruzQuantity: 900 litersVintage: March 2015ABV: 49.15%Tasting keywords: Minerals and sugar. NOM: UncertifiedBuy it today Nose Part of what makes this espadin so special is its salty agave sugar spritz that comes across so delicately and
Neta Madrecuixe tasting notes
Details Location: MiahuatlanAgave: Madrecuixe (A. karwinskii) Maestro Mezcalero: Grupo LogocheQuantity: 399 litersVintage: October 2016ABV: 46.7%Tasting keywords: Herbal and Jolly RancherNOM: UncertifiedBuy it today Nose A really fruity scent that reminds me of a grapy raicilla because it has some of that classic lactic fermentation
Neta Tobaziche tasting notes
Details Location: Miahuatlán, OaxacaAgave: Tobaziche (A. karwinskii)Maestro Mezcalero: Celso Garcia CruzQuantity: 40 litersVintage: May 2018ABV: 47.2%Tasting Keywords: Bittersweet chocolate, horchata. NOM: UncertifiedBuy it today: SOLD OUT! Nose It's like walking through a pine grove with a cup of Oaxacan hot chocolate. Taste A pine herbaceousness
On touring and other such things
[caption id="attachment_6645" align="aligncenter" width="449"] The cueva collection at the Mezcalosfera palenque.[/caption]
I get a lot of inquiries about how to visit palenques while in Oaxaca and I am quick to recommend different kinds of experiences depending on what people are looking for. We have a standing guide to tours and I am happy to add a new one to the list - Mezcouting from Andrea Hagan. She's got a great background in food sovereignty and in her years in Oaxaca has worked with the University of Vermont, Susan Trilling, and Mezcaloteca. She's crafted her tours, like the others we recommend, on the relationships she has developed in different communities thoughout her years here. You want hands on traditional cooking classes - with deep dives into milling and processing and masa making with your mezcal visits - this is your person.