Madre Mezcal Ensamble

Madre Mezcal Ensamble is the house blend of Espadin and wild Cuishe agave, made in Oaxaca.

Cuishe is the point of difference. A member of the slow-ripening Karwinskii family, it has a dense core and very little water in it, which gives mezcal a faintly tropical, earthy cast. The long narrow pina presents more surface area to the fire, and because the stalk roasts along with it, the spirit comes out with more structure than Espadin alone would give. The bulk of the blend is distilled by the Garcia Morales family at San Dionisio, with Cuishe from the Vazquez palenque in Miahuatlan. The intention is a mezcal that suits a first-timer and still holds the interest of someone who drinks it often.

Sage, wet minerals and a sweet earthy core, with the smoke pulled right back. The finish is clean and long. Serve neat at room temperature with orange and sal de gusano, or use it as the base of a mezcal margarita.