NETA Tobaziche Mezcal (750ml)

The maguey known in Miahuatlán as Tobaziche is an increasingly rare agave endemic to this region. The Tobaziche was nearly eradicated when Tequila producers encouraged the growing of espadin. Prized for its beauty and sugar content, this variety of Agave karwinskii is relatively slow to mature (around 16 years). Tobaziche is closely related to Madrecuishe and can resemble it when young. As they approach maturity, Tobaziches will grow significantly larger than a Madrecuixe, commonly reaching 5-7 feet in height and developing piñas that can weigh well over 300 lbs. It is an agave that is able to reproduce from seed as well as through its root system, though interestingly, the the Miahuatlán Tobaziche is often found growing in beds of agave cultivated from Madrecuixe seedstock. Tobaziche is generally a cultivated, or semi-cultivated varietal, but because of its bizarre relationship to the Madrecuixe, small feral populations do exist. In April 2017, Celso García Cruz harvested four nearly-flowering Tobaziches growing in a rocky, white soil hillside near his palenque. When he distilled them they yielded just 44 liters at an ABV of 47.2%. Made specifically with Neta in mind, this small batch was the only Tobaziche produced in the community in 2017. It could be a number of years before the world sees another Tobaziche from Celso, making this a particularly special spirit.