1999 Maguey Melate "Espadin" Augustin Guendelain Maya San Luis Amatlán Oaxaca Uncertified Mezcal (375ml)

Notes

Augustin Guendelain Maya was one of Melate's first suppliers. He's been described as a mad scientist and is renowned as the local agave botanist. His extreme attention to detail, noting the subtle but significant reactions and minute physiological differences between seemingly identical flora, is truly remarkable. Augustin feels he was called to make mezcal and his connection to the land and the plants that give this product its soul is undeniable. Those who visit his small palenque in Miahuatlan will quickly see that he's profoundly fulfilled by working in the field. Wary of those who make mezcal purely for money, Agustin is devoted to making mezcal with love, patience, and care. This special batch of mezcal was made by Augustin's father, Toribio Guendelain Jiminez back in March of 1999 from 6-year-old wild harvested espadin. After roasting underground for 10 days, they are pressed on Tahona. 4 days to rest and begin dry fermentation followed by 7 day natural fermentation in cypress vats with river water. Distilled twice on small copper pots before being rested in inert drums for more than 21 years. The resulting spirit is one of the most appealing and complex we've ever come across. Even at the relatively high proof, the subtle richness of resting has added layers of complexity of unparalleled proportions. We're extremely lucky to have snagged the last few liters of this tiny 430-liter batch distilled more than 2 decades ago before many of us had even tasted quality mezcal.