The Emigdio ensambles vary in the agave used to make them, and the ABV will also very by batch. Check your bottle for details.
About this mezcal
The Vago Ensamble with a blue label comes from Emigdio Jarquín Ramírez in Miahuatlan, Oaxaca. While Vago has produced Ensamble en Barro from Tio Rey for many years, and a few ensambles from Aquilino have been released over the years, Emigdio’s ensambles began hitting the market in 2018. They are a blend of everything you’d love about any Emigdio single-varietal release, and they give him an opportunity to showcase some different distillations.
Notable batches:
| Batch | Agaves |
| E-02-CET-18 | Cuixe 47%, Espadin 35%, Tepeztate 18% |
| E-04-TOBM-18 | Tobala 55%, Mexicano 45% |
| E-08-CE-18 | Cuixe 55%, Espadin 45% |
| E-15-MEC-18 | Mexicano 45%, Espadin 44%, Cuixe 8% |
| E-23-MCC18 | Madrecuixe 51%, Cuixe 49% |
Vago Mezcal
Mezcal Vago began when co-founder Judah Kuper visited a hospital in Oaxaca, Mexico. He fell in love with the nurse who treated him. Her father, Aquilino Garcia, was a sustenance farmer who also produced mezcal. Judah and Aquilino, along with Judah’s longtime friend Dylan Sloan, launched Mezcal Vago. In 2013, their first exported bottles arrived in Texas. Each of their mezcals is produced naturally in a traditional palenque with no additives. The brand aims to empower both the master craftsmen with a celebration of his art. Also the consumer by giving them the knowledge they need to find a great mezcal. The brand plants 3 agaves for each single agave they harvest. Their goal is to end the use wild agave by 2025 for most of their releases.
In 2017, Mezcal Vago began using different color labels for their different mezcaleros. Emigdio Jarquin (blue label) distills in copper with refrescador. Aquilino and Joel Barriga (tan and gold labels respectively) distill in copper. Tio Rey (red label) distills in clay pots. All their mezcaleros use different water sources and make different distillation cuts. In 2018, Mezcal Vago established an investment partnership with Samson and Surrey. With the new partnership, each Mezcal Vago mezcalero has a stake in Samson and Surrey.
In 2021, Mezcal Vago went through its first major brand redesign since their launch in 2013.
Learn more Mezcal Vago:
- The Mezcal Vago Tasting Room in Oaxaca on Mezcal Reviews
- A podcast interview with co-founder Judah Kuper on Show de Vie Podcast w/Mike G
- The Mezcal Vago blog Mas Mezcal
Review this bottle
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MezcalBabe
75 reviewsMadrecuixe 51%, Cuixe 49% Sampled @ Vago tasting made in same region as the Tepeztate; lemon grassy
Ben P
149 reviewsLot E-11-MAB-22
53% Mexicano, 36% Arroqueno, 11% Bicuixe
Nose: earthy, sweet figs, raisins, some pear, the Mexicano comes through strong, a bit of pineapple, wet soil
Palate and Finish: pineapple, orange juice, almost candy like, slight floral, pine, cherry, dust, cherry fires up more as we move to the finish. Finish is chocolate, more cherry, a bit of pepper
Solid ensamble that’s always at a great price.
GMAD
97 reviewsLOT E-11-MMC-20 May 2020, 50.8%, 441 Liters
62% Mexicano, 38% Madrecuixe
Nose – Sweet nature. Fresh cut grass, morning dew, spring garden, wet earth, honey, and pine.
Palate – Perfection. Vibrant but mellow. An easy to drink citrusy sweetness. Ripe oranges, mandarins, Cuties, bubblegum.
Finish – It’s like if you had a slice of the ripest and sweetest orange you’ve ever had and now you’re down to the rind with a lingering bittersweet taste. Plus a little savoriness and smoke to remind you this is a Mezcal after all; Unagi sauce.
So easy-going and tasty. This immediately left an impression on me and became a memorable Mezcal in all my tastings thus far. I’m sure all of Emigdio’s ensambles are delicious, but this particular combo of Mexicano and Madrecuixe from May 2020 is truly something special. Refined sweetness, citrusy, and easy to digest. Find it, try it, if you can. Another stellar offering from Vago and Emigdio Jarquin. My first 5-star rating. This is the one to convince your friends to like Mezcal.
LOT E-11-MMC-20 May 2020, 50.8%, 441 Liters
62% Mexicano, 38% Madrecuixe
Nose – Sweet nature. Fresh cut grass, morning dew, spring garden, wet earth, honey, and pine.
Palate – Perfection. Vibrant but mellow. An easy to drink citrusy sweetness. Ripe oranges, mandarins, Cuties, bubblegum.
Finish – It’s like if you had a slice of the ripest and sweetest orange you’ve ever had and now you’re down to the rind with a lingering bittersweet taste. Plus a little savori
JDB
190 reviewsBatch E16-TTOBE-19 51.5% abv 546 liter batch May 2019 52% Tepeztate, 35% Tobalá, 13% Espadin
Picked up this bottle at Total Wine a couple years back and have steadily drank down this bottle. I noticed that no one else on MR has reviewed this batch. Nose has a lot tepeztate notes – green, medicinal, and herbal, the palate has more pronounced tobalá flavors – floral, herbal and sweet fruit – ends just a bit harsh though this bottle has gotten plenty of air is down the last couple of copitas. That excess oxygen has made the flavors a little unbalanced and flabby. Still, when I first cracked this bottle, it had plenty of kick and was very solid. I really like tep/tobalá ensembles, and Emgidio’s straight tobalá is one of my favorite mezcals. I will try and seek out another ensemble of his soon.
Batch E16-TTOBE-19 51.5% abv 546 liter batch May 2019 52% Tepeztate, 35% Tobalá, 13% Espadin
Picked up this bottle at Total Wine a couple years back and have steadily drank down this bottle. I noticed that no one else on MR has reviewed this batch. Nose has a lot tepeztate notes – green, medicinal, and herbal, the palate has more pronounced tobalá flavors – floral, herbal and sweet fruit – ends just a bit harsh though this bottle has gotten plenty of air is down the
Imperium
118 reviews53% Mexicano 36% Arroqueño 11% Bicuishe 617 L, 51.5% ABV
At first opening this was pretty subdued in flavor and hot on the burn, but after about a quarter of the bottle was gone and it had some time to mix with air, it really began to open up. The Mexicano flavor comes out on the nose with a bit of the arroqueno and bicuixe following.
Nose: Ripe fruits, dried peppers, light smoke, ash, earth and minerality. Big mexicano fragrance.
Palate: Juicy fruit gum, dried stone fruits, unripe banana, wet cave rocks, desert sand. Delicious and juicy mezcal.
Finish: Wet river rocks, oysters, brine, ash.
53% Mexicano 36% Arroqueño 11% Bicuishe 617 L, 51.5% ABV
At first opening this was pretty subdued in flavor and hot on the burn, but after about a quarter of the bottle was gone and it had some time to mix with air, it really began to open up. The Mexicano flavor comes out on the nose with a bit of the arroqueno and bicuixe following.
Nose: Ripe fruits, dried peppers, light smoke, ash, earth and minerality. Big mexicano fragrance.
Palate: Juicy fruit gum, dried stone fruits, unripe banana, we
razorbackmike
161 reviews60%cuixie,40%madre. emigdio makes great mezcals! as a whole,vago is a favorite because they are BOLD and never short on flavor,most pack some heat but they are not half-assed.the nose pops on this one with the vegetal karwinski notes.getting strong mint.the palate is a karwinski bomb!the best way to sum it up is green green green.lots of green peppers.compact with a balance of veggie sweetness.long finish with mucho minty smoke.you would never guess this was 51% abv.very mild heat.hard to find any fault .this is an old town edition.this is the perfect summer mezcal.i dont know if i would enjoy it as much in colder temps but i would say there is a good chance.STELLAR!
60%cuixie,40%madre. emigdio makes great mezcals! as a whole,vago is a favorite because they are BOLD and never short on flavor,most pack some heat but they are not half-assed.the nose pops on this one with the vegetal karwinski notes.getting strong mint.the palate is a karwinski bomb!the best way to sum it up is green green green.lots of green peppers.compact with a balance of veggie sweetness.long finish with mucho minty smoke.you would never guess this was 51% abv.very mild heat.hard to find
Wanderingspider
55 reviewsNewer offering from Vago (Emigdio Jarquin)
53% Mexicano
36% Arroqueño
11% Bicuishe
Tahona/Copper,
617 L, 51.5% ABV
Fruity nose – think boozy pineapple and the mexicano shines through with some grit.
Alcohol is decently integrated
Definitely nuanced, nice texture and very long.
Thankfully I procured a bottle so I’ll revisit this again shortly.
Zack Klamn
542 reviews58% Tepeztate. 22% Madrecuixe. 20% Cuixe.
51.2% ABV. LOT: E-32-TMCC-19
Nose – Watermelon juice. Chalky. Floral. Slight peanut shell note. Long lasting, bright aromas. Very nice. I pick up much more of the agave karwinskis in here.
Palate – Hot to start, even for 51%. Cherry Gummi Bears. Bamboo shoots. Lavender. A tad cheesy (Parmesan) and woodiness (fresh bark) in the finish.
Overall, packs a great punch of flavor although I reckon some may find this a bit hot. I like it though, another fabulous ensamble bottle to add to the collection.
58% Tepeztate. 22% Madrecuixe. 20% Cuixe.
51.2% ABV. LOT: E-32-TMCC-19
Nose – Watermelon juice. Chalky. Floral. Slight peanut shell note. Long lasting, bright aromas. Very nice. I pick up much more of the agave karwinskis in here.
Palate – Hot to start, even for 51%. Cherry Gummi Bears. Bamboo shoots. Lavender. A tad cheesy (Parmesan) and woodiness (fresh bark) in the finish.
Overall, packs a great punch of flavor although I reckon some may find this a bit hot. I like it though, a
aarild
153 reviewsMarch 2019, 51% tobalá, 43% espadin, 6% Madrecuixe
Coconut shells, herbs, lime peel and a bit acetone on the nose. Full mouthfeel, but a bit hot. The footprint of the mere 6% madrecuixe is remarkable, with some more rough coconut with brown skin, quince, succade, toffee, sugarcane grassiness. Very nice.
COak
238 reviewsE-17-MXC-19. 53% mexicano 47% cuishe. Whenever I see an Emigdio ensemble I’m interested, they vary so much. This isn’t mind blowing but very enjoyable. Has those chocolate notes from mexicano and vegetal green notes from cuishe.
HighWine
78 reviewsThis bottle is 64% cuishe, 32% espadín, and 4% tepeztate. Stone ground, copper still, 254 liters, distilled July 2020. El Nanche village in Miahuatlan. 51% ABV
Aromas of green banana, pine bark, and minerals. Taste is exceptionally smooth. One of the smoothest Vagos I can recall. Blanco vermouth with a pimento olive, toasted oak, and grass. Medium-full bodied but not lacking in any way. Minty finish.
Tyler
668 reviewsEmigdio has created many ensambles. In general they are great. The one I’m sipping currently is from March 2019 and composed of 51% Tobala, 43% Espadin, and 6% Madrecuixe. Loads of rock candy minerals. Whipped cream. Key lime custard. Overall sweet and salty. There are a few two agave batches reviewed here that I really need to try (Tobala-Madrecuixe and Mexicano-Cuixe); will update this review if I try them. Extra half star for the value.
SoloAgave
86 reviews5/2020 62% Mexicano/38% Madrecuishe – full disclosure I am a sucker for Mezcal from Miahuatlan and this one certainly delivers. Just a crisp, clean, and bright flavor that sips like its 40% abv not 51%. Mellowed sweetness, some ripe fruit, just a rock solid option all around that won’t blow you away but will keep you coming back for more.
TzotollineRaramuri
75 reviewsLOT E-17-MXC-19
497 Liter Batch.
53% Mexicano & 47% Cuishe
50.9 ABV.
?- clear
?- drying impact.
Aromas of fresh & savory herbs and vegetables, soft/light rubber & plastics, fresh pine and pine basket, floral, honey, aloe vera, wet sand and caliche.
Adequate & complex production.
Average length and fine character.
?- astringent effect slightly coating; sufficient smooth alcohol; medium-full body.
Primarily sour taste, with sweet & bitter highlights; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of pine and hay, aloe vera, fresh herbs, ripe agave, raw wood, floral honeys.
Concentrated flavor intensity, slight complex character, harmoniously bold balance.
Pleasant and very long finish.
Excellent overall impression.
*very nicely balanced, very good typicity, though nothing extraordinary, but very well crafted.
Learn more about organoleptic evaluation at the International Wine & Spirits Guild’s seminar in Fine Spirits,
or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.
LOT E-17-MXC-19
497 Liter Batch.
53% Mexicano & 47% Cuishe
50.9 ABV.
?- clear
?- drying impact.
Aromas of fresh & savory herbs and vegetables, soft/light rubber & plastics, fresh pine and pine basket, floral, honey, aloe vera, wet sand and caliche.
Adequate & complex production.
Average length and fine character.
?- astringent effect slightly coating; sufficient smooth alcohol; medium-full body.
Primarily sour taste, with sweet & bitter highlights; buttery smoothness.
Flavors
Nic Hnastchenko
109 reviews55% Tobala + 45% Madrecuixe.
Tasty combo of my two favorite agaves.
47% Cuixe + 35% Espadin + 18% Tepeztate
Emigdio always my favorite. I’d liked the kick that the Tepeztate and Espadin give these Ensambles, which i think makes it a bit more green than sweet from the Cuixe.
LittleArm
32 reviews55% Tobala, 45% Madrecuixe
So good! Very funky on the nose like a sweet blue cheese. Mild taste, very little heat or smoke. Much less funk on the palate than the nose. Earthy, creamy, peppery with maybe a little bit of pine. Complex to the point where I almost ordered a second pour so I could spend more time trying to figure it out. Love the tobala in it. Definitely try it if you get the chance
Joseph
26 reviews55% Tobala, 45% Madrecuixe – This is my personal favorite of Emigdio’s releases that I’ve tried. Very distinctive flavor profile that is quite similar to his other batches; but with a certain creamy sweetness which I imagine comes from the Tobala. Emigdio’s mezcals are tough to describe, but I tend to think earthy, vegetal, cucumber, bubblegum, and mineral flavors. 4.5 stars
Jonny
738 reviews47% Cuixe, 35% Espadin, 18% Tepeztate from March 2018. Lot E-03-CET-18. Aromas of sweet apples, maraschino cherries, and red velvet chocolate cake. The palate is heavily perfumed, too much for my liking, but others might love this. Give it a try. It’s a bit grassy and vegetal with earthy notes mixing with salty water taffy. A bit of heat on the back of the palate.