Rather intricate recipe from Andrew Gressman of Palenque Mezcaleria in Denver, Colorado… this has the mezcal, some Hendricks gin, apple juice, cranberry juice, agave nectar and lime juice..

To the mezcal, one adds apricot brandy, genever and absinthe (the last one is used to rinse the insides of the glass and not as an ingredient poured in)

This has mezcal, apple brandy, bitters and orange bitters.

Region: This Mezcal is made in the Oaxaca state (where most of Mezcals in Mexico is made). The specific area where the agave comes from is Tiacolula. Disteleria Sacrificio was started only about 7 years back.

Agave: This is the 100% espadin variety of agave – which is incidentally the most common agave used to make mezcals in Mexico. Usually the agaves are picked once they reach maturity around 8-10 years.

Roasting: The “pinas” of the espadin agave are slashed and then roasted in underground pits. Mesquite wood is lit up and burnt for two days for the pinas to get roasted.

Smashing: The slushy pinas are then smashed using a big rock wheel and a mule that keeps going around in circle.

Distilling: The resulting liquid and some amount of the fiber is then distilled. It is first distilled in steel and then distilled again a second time in copper stills. By law, all mezcals have to be distilled twice. I guess use of steel in distillation explains why they say “Artisanal” in the label.

Ageing: The output at this point of time is what traditional mezcal looks like. This bottle is “reposado” – which means the mezcal was further aged in barrels (about three months) before the mezcalero decides that it is done.

This particular bottle is diluted to 40% (to cater to the US tastes – normally is much higher).

This is my first full bottle of mezcal. So, I am still growing my taste in it. I can certainly say, the earthy nose and finish is unmistakable. There is the smoky accent throughout due to the ageing as well as the burning underground. Not very stiff. Rather smooth finish.