Its NYC headquarters also doubles as an art gallery where it hosts a curated quarterly series supporting independent artists. One show, Ilegal Pride, donated a portion of proceeds to LGBTQ youth charities. It’s crafted by hand and hoof.

During the second distillation of this double copper pot distilled mezcal, pumpkin stems, in addition to local seasonal fruits and grains, are suspended inside the still in a basket. This locally harvested produce often includes pineapples, plantains and oranges, along with pumpkin seeds and chepiche , an aromatic Mexican herb commonly used for seasoning. The chepiche rounds out the vegetal flavors from the pumpkin stems and plantains, and creates a perfumed smoky aroma laced with orange blossoms and marzipan. The earthy flavor is rich with citrus peel and herbal notes, with a touch of eucalyptus in the finish.

More Alternatives…

The mezcal is famous for its guerilla marketing campaign, Donald Eres Un Pendejo (translation: Donald, you’re an asshole). Launched two days after Trump announced his candidacy for president in 2015, the campaign was a response to racist remarks Trump made about Mexican immigrants. (Most notably, he called them “rapists.”) Internationally, mezcal has been recognized as an Appellation of Origin (AO, DO) since 1994. [13] [14] There is also a Geographical Indication (GI), originally limited to the states of Oaxaca, Guerrero, Durango, San Luis Potosí, Puebla and Zacatecas. Similar products are made in Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, and Tamaulipas, but these have not been included in the mezcal DO. [14] a b c d e f Zizumbo-Villarreal, Daniel; Colunga-GarcíaMarín, Patricia (June 2008). "Early coconut distillation and the origins of mezcal and tequila spirits in west-central Mexico". Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 55 (4): 493–510. doi: 10.1007/s10722-007-9255-0.

The mash is allowed to ferment, the resulting liquid collected and distilled in either clay or copper pots which will further modify the flavor of the final product. [5] The distilled product is then bottled and sold. Unaged mezcal is referred to as joven, or young. Some of the distilled product is left to age in barrels between one month and four years, but some can be aged for as long as 12 years. [18] [9] Mezcal can reach an alcohol content of 55%. [18] Like tequila, mezcal is distilled twice. The first distillation is known as ordinario, and comes out at around 75 proof (37.5% alcohol by volume). The liquid must then be distilled a second time to raise the alcohol percentage. The origin of mezcal is tied to the introduction of distillation technology which was introduced to New Spain either by the Spanish or Filipino sailors. Despite the similar name, mezcal does not contain mescaline or other psychedelic substances. [8] History [ edit ] A cantaro jar, made from barro negro pottery, used for serving mezcal a b c d e Lagasse, Erich. "Mezcal: típico afrodisíaco mexicano"[Mezcal:Typical Mexican Afrodisiac] (in Spanish). Univision. Archived from the original on 29 March 2010 . Retrieved 19 October 2009. a b c d e "Modifications to the General Declaration on the Protection of the Appellation of Origin "Mezcal" published in the Official Journal of the Federation on 28 November 1994 (MX082)".Mezcal tamaulipeco quiere conquistar paladares nacionales"[Mezcal from Tamaulipas wanted to conquer national palates]. El Universal (in Spanish). Mexico City. 9 August 2009 . Retrieved 9 October 2009. And that’s really the challenge that they’ve nailed here: how do you make something that’s delicious, but unique? And I think, in this case, they’ve miraculously done it. This smells simultaneously very familiar and yet a little different. The herbal agave note that you’d usually see from a tequila is there — but where a blue-agave-based spirit is somewhat sweeter and lighter, this smells more musky and smoky. It’s like I walked into my grandfather’s attic, with hints of cedar, old wood, and a bit of alcohol. Mixed in there is also some lime citrus for a bit of acidity. Here, I’m not just sharing opinions; I’m weaving tales from the rich tapestry of my experiences over these three decades.