Don Amado Mezcal
ABOUT:
In the highlands of southern Mexico, the renowned Arellanes family has been crafting one of the region's most celebrated mezcals since the late 1700s.
Eleven generations of continual mezcal distillation with a legendary commitment to craftsmanship and experimentation have culminated in a spirit that is simultaneously complex and approachable. Don Amado is made from earthen roasted maguey hearts, which are, after crushing, fermented together with their piña fibers for a rich maguey character. The mash is then double-distilled in small traditional ceramic clay pots. Aged varieties are matured in American oak casks previously used for barreling Pedro Domecq brandy.
WEBSITE:
https://delmezcal.com/don-amado/
MEZCALS OFFERED:
Don Amado Mezcal represents eleven generations of continual, family-led distillation, blending a rich legacy of craftsmanship with a legendary spirit of experimentation. Sourced from the high-altitude terrain of Santa Catarina Minas, Oaxaca, and meticulously managed by the Arellanes family, the brand is celebrated for preserving a historic sixteenth-century ancestral tradition. Fully mature highland agaves are roasted for four days in wood-burning earthen pits using a mix of guamúchil and mesquite wood. Following natural fermentation with native airborne yeast strains, the mash—including its flavorful agave fibers (bagazo)—is double-distilled in traditional, burner-heated ceramic clay pots with bamboo tubes. This commitment to clay-pot ancestral distillation yields a rustic yet remarkably refined spirit, characterized by an inimitable mineral bouquet where smooth, elegant agave notes triumph over heavy smoke.
Rústico: The flagship expression of the distillery, Rústico is crafted from 100% mature highland Espadín agave. The clay pot influence shines prominently on the nose, offering a complex bouquet of ash, crushed walnuts, roasted corn, and savory spices. On the palate, a vibrant, citrus-forward agave profile is beautifully balanced against smooth notes of rich caramel, butterscotch, and fresh herbs, leaving a velvety mouthfeel and a zesty finish.
Largo: Made entirely from the elongated wild Agave karwinskii (Largo), which grows over the mountains like spiky desert trees and takes 10 to 14 years to mature. It opens with a delicate nose of soft smoke, candied sweetness, and the crisp smell of desert air after a heavy rainfall. The palate is lush, treating the drinker to tropical stone fruits, lemon verbena, and a subtle spice layered over a silky, incredibly clean mineral mouthfeel.
Arroqueño: A rustic yet profoundly refined expression made from a massive, exotic maguey species that requires upwards of 18 years to reach full maturity. This mezcal showcases bright floral aromatics of caramelized agave, leather, and soft smoke. The supple mouthfeel delivers a beautiful juxtaposition of ripe fruits like persimmon and quince with savory accents of kaffir lime, layered chocolate, espresso, and balanced minerality.
Ensamble Tobalá & Bicuishe: A highly complex and exotic blend of two prized agave varietals that are cooked, fermented, and distilled together. It greets the nose with alluring aromas of summer stone fruits, soft tea rose, and toasted red chili peppers. The palate is smooth and jammy, unfolding with distinctive layers of Earl Grey tea, dried orange peel, candied mango, and cinnamon, before closing with a lingering hint of black licorice.