Erstwhile Tepeztate Ancestral Mezcal 2021 375 mL

Erstwhile’s 2021 Tepeztate Ancestral Mezcal comes from Rancho Blanco Güilá, Oaxaca, and is made by Silverio García Luis and Epifania Gómez Mejía. Natural fermentation in Ocote pine wood tanks and clay-pot distillation using an agave quiote tube revive a García family method that predates the modern copper setup.

The producer identifies Tepeztate (Agave marmorata) as the varietal for this 700-liter 2021 release. Independent exact-release tasting notes describe tobacco and leather on the nose, savory smoke and ripe citrus agave across the palate, and melon with clay on the finish. Bottled at 48% ABV (96 proof) in a 375 mL bottle.