Mezonte
ABOUT:
Mezonte is much more than a brand; it is a non-governmental organization (NGO) and a highly curated spirits label dedicated to protecting, supporting, and disseminating the traditional agave spirits of Mexico. Spearheaded by Pedro Jimenez (a prominent figure in the agave community), Mezonte focuses on preserving the biological and cultural heritage of rural distillers, primarily across Jalisco and Michoacán. Operating with a philosophy of deep respect and radical transparency, they bottle incredibly small-batch, uncertified "Destilados de Agave" (often traditional Raicillas and Mezcals) directly from the artisans' hands. Because they partner with various independent maestros, their portfolio doesn't consist of a static core lineup. Instead, it features rotating, highly limited expressions named after the producer who crafted them, celebrating the unique terroir, hyper-local agave varietals, and ancestral production methods of each specific village.
WEBSITE:
https://mezonte.com/en/mezonte-mezcal-y-otros-destilados-tradicionales-de-agave-english/
MEZCALS OFFERED:
Mezonte Lorenzo Virgen: Crafted in Chancuellar, Jalisco, by maestro Lorenzo Virgen, this expression is often a complex ensamble of local agaves such as Alineño, Cimarrón, and Ixtero Amarillo. Roasted in earthen pits and distilled in copper, it is exceptionally aromatic and luscious. The nose bursts with sweet candied apple, ripe cantaloupe, and fresh melon, leading into a buttery, rich palate that balances sweet tropical fruits and baking spices with a dry, persistent mineral finish.
Mezonte Santos Juárez: Hailing from Tolimán, Jalisco, this uncertified raicilla is produced by Santos Juárez, a traditional farmer who also grows tropical fruits, corn, and beans alongside agave. Fermented naturally and distilled in a wooden Filipino-style still with an internal copper saucepan, this spirit is remarkably old-school. It offers a savory, mineral-driven profile that perfectly captures the rural terroir, layered with deep earthy undertones and grassy complexities.
Mezonte Tepe (Masparillo): This expression highlights the rare Masparillo (Agave bovicornuta/maximiliana) agave, yielding a highly unique, savory profile characteristic of traditional Jalisco spirits. It features a rich, mineral-forward nose with intriguing hints of eucalyptus, lemongrass, and citrus. On the palate, it is beautifully complex and animalistic, delivering flavors of green olive brine, lactic funk, and subtle rubber, all balanced by an incredibly long, savory finish.
Mezonte Tepe (Cenizo / Shrevei): Distilled using the wild Agave shrevei (Cenizo), this expression makes a bold, bright statement on the palate. It is intensely aromatic, greeting the drinker with unexpected notes of fresh pine, sweet floral tones, and tropical melon. The mouthfeel dances on the palate with a lively, spicy heat, giving way to complex flavors of white pepper and roasted agave before ending in a persistent, dry finish.
Mezonte Cándido Romero: Crafted by Cándido Romero in Loma de Guadalupe from the Ixtero Amarillo agave, this exceedingly rare spirit (sometimes yielded in batches as small as 60 liters) features an astonishingly long 21-day fermentation. It eschews the heavy viscosity of typical Oaxacan mezcals for a lean, elegant body, bursting with an explosion of bright floral notes on the nose and a perfectly balanced, delicate floral flavor that lingers indefinitely.