Mal Bien Madrecuixe / Bicuixe / Coyote / Tepextate is made by Victor and his son Emanuel, the 3rd and 4th generations of the Ramos family.
About this destilado de agave
Mal Bien Madrecuixe / Bicuixe / Coyote / Tepextate is made by Victor and his son Emanuel. They are the 3rd and 4th generations of the Ramos family to produce mezcal in the Miahuatlán District of Oaxaca, an area famous for its abundance and diversity of A. karwinskii sub-species (madrecuixe, tobaxiche, etc.). The community of Mengoli de Morelos where they live and work has a population of just under 200 people. They are related to the neighboring Cortes family via Victor’s wife (Emanuel’s mother), Cleotilde, whose sister Cesilia is married to Felipe.
The agave used in this mezcal are cooked for 6 days in an underground pit oven with Encino, Yegareche, Mesquite, and Palo de Aguila. Once cooked, the agave rest 6-7 days before being mashed by ox drawn tahona. They’re fermented with open air yeasts for 4-8 days before being double distilled in a copper refrescadera still.
Mal Bien
Since 2016, the Mal Bien team has been traveling Mexico, driving off the map and into mountains filled with treacherous roads, police officers of questionable moral character, feral dogs, indigenous languages, narcos, ancient relics, machete wielding protestors, insect based meals, mudslides, blockades, corrupt politicians, and many of the world’s kindest, funniest, most brilliant people. In addition to some hard to believe stories, they’ve connected with a wide variety of traditional producers, whose mezcal is now bottled and exported under the Mal Bien name.
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Imperium
118 reviewsThe nose is singular and unique, a cross between strawberry jam and Laffy taffy as others mentioned.
The palate is buttery smooth at first. This is great stuff – the green karwinskii comes into play and finishes with a suitable burn on the backend. This is delicious mezcal!
COak
238 reviewsBatch: 0319ER. This one came into it’s own as the juice in the bottle got lower. It’s vegetal and bright. Tastes of dark chocolate, bubblegum strawberries. Fun blend of agaves.
Tyler
668 reviewsLight on the palate. Salted butter notes. Strawberry juice syrup. Lots of woody Karwinskii notes. Nice all-around sipper. Full flavored but not overpowering. Would be good for newbie mezcal sippers. Batch 0319ER.
Aug. 2021 update – Revisiting this a month or so later because I found a random dram and didn’t realize I had already reviewed it. The previous notes are valid. Strawberry was the first flavor that came to mind. It is delicious but I have a slight preference to the Cortes family mezcal when it comes to these Miahuatlan releases from Mal Bien.
Light on the palate. Salted butter notes. Strawberry juice syrup. Lots of woody Karwinskii notes. Nice all-around sipper. Full flavored but not overpowering. Would be good for newbie mezcal sippers. Batch 0319ER.
Aug. 2021 update – Revisiting this a month or so later because I found a random dram and didn’t realize I had already reviewed it. The previous notes are valid. Strawberry was the first flavor that came to mind. It is delicious but I have a slight preference to the Cortes fa
TzotollineRaramuri
75 reviewsLote 0319ER
?- clear
?- drying impact.
Aromas of light VA, green, vegetal and organic hay character, raw wood, barn floor, dried pine needles, pine cones, pine nuts, savory herb – oregano & thyme, honeydew melons.
Adequate & complex production.
Average length and ordinary character.
?- coating effect with warming and astringent highlights; sufficient smooth alcohol; medium body.
Primarily sweet & sour taste, with bitter highlights; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of lime & lemon, faint smoke, raw wood, basil, fennel, ripe grilled peaches, raw honey, mint & rosemary, honeydew melons.
Medium concentration flavor intensity, complex character, harmonious balance.
Pleasant and very long finish.
Excellent overall impression.
*Other than the initial VA impression on the nose which blew off, the in-glass aromas evolved dramatically, very nice experience. Well balanced, and quite nice.
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.
Lote 0319ER
?- clear
?- drying impact.
Aromas of light VA, green, vegetal and organic hay character, raw wood, barn floor, dried pine needles, pine cones, pine nuts, savory herb – oregano & thyme, honeydew melons.
Adequate & complex production.
Average length and ordinary character.
?- coating effect with warming and astringent highlights; sufficient smooth alcohol; medium body.
Primarily sweet & sour taste, with bitter highlights; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of lime & lemo
TheAgaveFairy
169 reviewsThis one is taking some time, watermelon rind and cilantro, lime, watercress, taffy, salt, green melon, green Laffy Taffy, cucumber, gentle green spicy peppers… I’m having a hard time with this one. So much salt. It’s oddly simple yet elusive – in a good way.
Oily thick dense texture seems to be there. Dense agave character, simple, drinkable, floral finish with just massive character lingering. I think I’ll grab one when I can!
AndrewT
9 reviewsFairly harsh gasoline/motor oil nose upfront, but that recedes over time and a complex earthiness and smokiness emerges with faint spearmint, fruit candy, and floral notes. Makes you work for it, but now I can’t stop smelling my (empty) glass. Enjoyable on the palate with a nice medium length finish, not unpleasantly hot.
Addendum: really mellows out. Lots of fruit candy, especially banana candy. Mint. Much less hot. Very very good.
Jonny
738 reviewsBatch: 0319ER. Lots of mineral and floral elements on the nose. Very pleasant aromas of spearmint, lime, lavender, rose pedals, and hot chalky soil. The palate is light and balanced. Notes of Doublemint gum, bay leaves, basil, vanilla beans, and raw sugar cane. This is really nice with a bit of heat on the back of the palate. Very enjoyable.
donpedro
39 reviewsBatch: 0319ER; 46.2% ABV
Nose of caramel, ripe papaya and pineapple, key lime, and tennis balls. Bright spearmint, cinnamon, bay leaves, and lavender. Some heat on the backend. Overall, some killer juice from the Ramos family as always.