Mezcal Joven Puebla Tobala El Occidental

Mezcal Joven Puebla Tobala from the Mexican brand El Occidental is a pure, artisanal agave distillate produced in the state of Puebla from agave of the Potatorum variety. This variety, also known as Maguey Tobala, prefers high altitudes and, due to its small size, provides small yields, compensated by the very high aromatic intensity of the resulting mezcal. Precisely because of its small size and the fact that it takes at least 12-15 years to ripen, this variety of agave is becoming increasingly rare.

Behind the production of Mezcal Joven El Occidental Puebla Tobala lies the expertise of Antonio Galindo, a mezcalero who works in the Acatlan de Osorio area of the state of Puebla. For this mezcal, he uses only agaves of the Potatorum variety, grown at an altitude of 1,216 metres above sea level on regosol and lithosol soils, between high mountains and canyons, in a temperate, sub-humid climate. After harvesting the agave heart, known locally as'piña', it is cooked for three days in underground ovens, then mechanically crushed to extract the sweet juice. This is followed by spontaneous alcoholic fermentation of the juice in wooden vats, then double distillation of the fermented juice in copper stills. Finally, the mezcal is bottled without going through the wood, which puts it in the Joven category.

El Occidental's Mezcal Puebla Tobala Joven has a transparent, crystalline appearance. The nose offers original notes of fresh agave, flowers, tobacco leaves, earth and leather, sensations that are echoed on the palate, where the pleasant mineral timbre and delicate bitter note combine in a progression of great character and persistence.