Mezcal Alipús San Juan del Rio

A balanced, Mezcal Joven by maestro mezcalero Rodolfo Juan Juarez for Déstileria Los Danzantes NOM-O14X in Oaxaca, Mexico pit-roasted using black oak & slow fermented in tall red-oak vats. It has a rich & smoky birth, while a full life adds notes of fruit, agave, earth, minerals of the region & a hint of brine; that led to a long & bitter death with hints of oak, peat & grass. "The smokiest Alipus." April 2017 / August / December 2018 / December 2019 / May 2020 / January 2021 / 2025

Tried neat from my flaviar taster box. On the nares it is very peaty and earthy with notes of dried parsley, unripened fruit, dirt, and something in between crayon shavings, homemade putty, and wood shavings. On the palate it’s a bit harsh with notes of spice & peaty with a hot and dry finish. I’m missing the smoke and smoothness here. Probably won’t be a sipper for me..

Decent dram, mild agave sweetness balanced with an earthy bitterness and jalapeño in the finish. Lacks the richness of maguey Melate expressions I’ve tried. Isn’t as tasty as most of the del maguey expressions I’ve tried. This is better than the bottom shelf Vida expression though

Nose of green agave, medium smoke, citrus, wood, stone fruit and earth. Very smooth for the proof, rich, sweet and smoky with mint, black pepper, apple, and charred wood. Long earthy smoky finish.

Pretty good mezcal, hits all the usual smoky and briney notes. Not too heavy and definitely hints of some fruit there.

Sweet 4/5, smokey 2/5, fruity 3/5. A little harsh. Dry finish. Good mixer, not so good for sipping.