Mezcal Nacional
ABOUT:
Mala Idea Mezcal (translating to "Bad Idea") was founded by Marcos Mendoza based on a bold, risky vision that led him to Oaxaca. The brand’s name is a heartfelt celebration of the men and women who courageously follow their passions, regardless of the challenges or the people who might call it a "bad idea." True to this adventurous spirit, the team goes to great lengths to seek out the absolute ripest and most mature agaves—from semi-cultivated Espadín to fiercely wild varieties found in rugged Oaxacan terrains. Operating with a deep respect for 400-year-old traditions, they handcraft their mezcals in micro-batches to guarantee exceptional quality. The process involves roasting agave hearts in earthen pit ovens over river rocks, crushing them with a 1.5-ton horse-drawn tahona wheel, utilizing a 90-to-118-hour open-air fermentation with wild ambient yeasts in traditional wooden vats, and finally distilling in vintage copper stills.
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MEZCALS OFFERED:
1931 (Tobalá): Crafted from prized wild Agave Tobalá, this expression commemorates the devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake that shook Oaxaca in 1931. It serves as a tribute to the great people of Oaxaca who lost much, but never lost their courage and determination to persevere. The resulting mezcal is highly complex, delicate, and elegant, acting as a beautifully refined homage to the resilience of the region.
1937 (Cirial): Made with wild Agave Cirial (part of the Karwinskii family) in Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca, this expression marks the 1937 creation of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) by President Lázaro Cárdenas—commemorating the illumination of a nation. Aptly described as a flavor-forward, "electric" mezcal, it offers an engaging, terroir-driven profile filled with notes of pine, woody agave trunk, melon, sweet corn, and a bright, splashy finish.
1938 (Ensamble): A carefully crafted blend of wild Agave Cirial and cultivated Agave Espadín. This expression recalls the 1938 nationalization of Mexico's oil reserves and the subsequent international boycott, standing as a liquid tribute to the sacrifice, resolve, and self-determination of the Mexican people during a time of great economic hardship. The Maestro Mezcalero closely guards the exact ratio of the agaves, yielding a remarkably approachable, well-balanced, and richly flavorful spirit.
1943 (Cupreata): Produced from wild and cultivated Agave Cupreata sourced from Michoacán. This label recalls the incredible forces of nature in 1943 when the Parícutin volcano suddenly surged from a cornfield, burying two entire towns under lava. It is a tribute to the people of Michoacán who boldly carried on and rebuilt. In the right hands, the Cupreata agave yields an exceptionally delicate, soft, and deeply flavorful mezcal that perfectly honors the region's history.