Review #: 138
Description: Mezcal Otzumatlan Alto
Spirit: Mezcal
Background: Mezcal Otzumatlán Alto produced by Elías García Soto, Real de Otzumatlán, Queréndaro municipality, Michoacán (northeast of the state’s capital, Morelia). Agave variety: Alto, a common name for the predominantly wild species Agave inaequidens. Roasted in a conical stone and masonry oven with Mexican oak, fermented in deep stone and earth pits with the fermentation initiated by the addition of pulque, distilled in “filipino”-style still with copper base and condenser made from oyamel wood. The label specifies that the mezcal is made at 2280 meters above sea level in a mountainous area, next to the Otzumatlán river, in a mining zone, near Morelia with an average temperature of 17 degrees C (about 63 degrees Fahrenheit). 50% alcohol.
Reviews #135 – #140 were done as a tasting set with Eli’s Mezcal Room in NYC. The samples were provided from their collection so some information isn’t fully known. Some were special bottles unavailable commercially. The above information is what was provided after the tasting. Currently there are running online tastings so if you want to learn more about mezcal or you are in NYC when the world returns to normal, check them out!
Distillery – Elías García Soto
Bottler – Unknown
Brand – Otzumatlan Alto
Selection – N/A
ABV – 50%
Age – Unaged
Nose – Cream cheese, yogurt, blue gatorade, ripe berries
Taste – Very sweet berries: raspberry, blueberry, strawberry. Some lactose and thick, coating mouthfeel
Finish – Berries and cream, warmth lingers but stays sweet and funky
Score: 8
Would I buy a bottle? Yes
Thoughts: Oh man, this was so tasty. Like a berry smoothie. Thick, sweet, and coating but not in a bad way at all. Very enjoyable