Del Maguey Boca del Cerro is a limited edition that began in 2004 when Del Maguey founder Ron Cooper planted a field of agave Espadin. The plants were not well-maintained by local landowners but survived and were distilled and then rested in glass for four years.
About this mezcal
Del Maguey Boca del Cerro is a unique batch of mezcal that began in 2004 when Del Maguey founder Ron Cooper planted two-year-old agave Espadin. The agaves were planted in Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca on land loaned by local brand partners with a 50/50 arrangement; the landowners were to be responsible for keeping the agaves healthy and weed-free. Unfortunately, they neglected the agaves, hence the plants failed to grow in size but sent roots deep into the earth resulting in a minerally, wild essence. This struggle to survive on the ancient terraces at the mouth of the mountain, finally maturing in nine years is what gives Boca del Cerro (which roughly translates to “mouth of the hill”) its distinguished character.
The tiny, ripe piñas were roasted in a conical stone pit underground, ground by a horse-drawn tahona, fermented naturally in wooden tanks using ambient airborne yeasts, and then distilled in small copper stills. Boca del Cerro was crafted by mezcalero Faustino Garcia Vasquez in the same palenque and through the same process as Chichicapa, the first mezcal Del Maguey brought to the US in 1995. The only change, Faustino now works with his son Maximino Garcia Chávez who has returned from laboring in the US to make Mezcal. This rare release is a tribute to family and tradition. After celebrating their 20th Anniversary with this once-in-a-life- time mezcal, Del Maguey placed the remainder in glass where it has rested for four years. For this limited edition of 1062 bottles, Del Maguey is donating 25% of the net proceeds of every bottle made to efforts to preserve teaching of the ancient Zapotec language in village schools.
Del Maguey Mezcal
Del Maguey (pronounced ma–gay), Single Village Mezcal was founded in 1995 by internationally renowned artist and Mezcal visionary, Ron Cooper. Ron introduced the world to previously unavailable 100% certified organic, artisanal Mezcal produced the original handcrafted way. Through deep cultural relationships with Zapotec Mexican Indian producers in the remote villages of Oaxaca, Mexico, Del Maguey harnesses ancient, original organic processes. Combining these methods with varying micro-climates and terroir gives each creation its own unique, rich, sweet and smoky character. Every product in their collection is made by individual family palenqueros (producers) in old-style villages. They are the first producer to credit each product after the village where our liquid is made. When you see their beautiful green bottles you know it’s Del Maguey. Most of Del Maguey’s mezcals are distilled to proof, so the ABV will vary slightly between batches.
In June of 2017, international spirits company, Pernod Ricard, purchased majority stake in the company. Del Maguey is now part of their portfolio that includes Jameson Whiskey, Absolute Vodka, and Havana Club Rum.
Review this bottle
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mt_rainyer
43 reviewsTried at a friend’s next to a normal Chichicapa. This is a really good bottle! I think it is a significant step up from the regular Chichicapa plus a pretty great story. After aging for that long, the smoke has dissipated leaving a delicious sour plum/tamarind flavor that I haven’t tasted in a Chichicapa before. It isn’t a small note either, it becomes slightly more prominent than the vanilla/oak. As a whole, if you like the balance of the regular you may find this version a bit too fruity for your taste, but I love it. At the price point of $180, I would not buy it however.
Tried at a friend’s next to a normal Chichicapa. This is a really good bottle! I think it is a significant step up from the regular Chichicapa plus a pretty great story. After aging for that long, the smoke has dissipated leaving a delicious sour plum/tamarind flavor that I haven’t tasted in a Chichicapa before. It isn’t a small note either, it becomes slightly more prominent than the vanilla/oak. As a whole, if you like the balance of the regular you may find this version a bi
Zack Klamn
542 reviewsLot: CHI-165
Nose – Extremely fruity – sweet, fresh Gala apple mostly. A light Big League Chew bubble gum aroma too. Very little smoke. Wow!
Palate – More red apple like in the nose. Fruit forward and delicious. Fresh cut birch wood. Slightly latex note but very pleasant.
Compared to regular Chichicapa, this is way less smoky, smoothed out and as I stated earlier, fruity as heck. I was so stoked to try this and ponied up for a bottle. No regrets on the price point (3× regular Chichicapa) as I think it differentiates itself and stands alone. I really like Chichicapa, it’s my most consumed mezcal for a reason, but this is a level up luxury (IMO). Again, this is maybe slanted because I’m a Chichicapa fanboy to begin with. Salud!
Lot: CHI-165
Nose – Extremely fruity – sweet, fresh Gala apple mostly. A light Big League Chew bubble gum aroma too. Very little smoke. Wow!
Palate – More red apple like in the nose. Fruit forward and delicious. Fresh cut birch wood. Slightly latex note but very pleasant.
Compared to regular Chichicapa, this is way less smoky, smoothed out and as I stated earlier, fruity as heck. I was so stoked to try this and ponied up for a bottle. No regrets on the price point (3× regular
Americana Kyle
60 reviewsThis is not a fair review. This was tasted after MANY pours that night and I was not able to try it side-by-side with standard Chichicapa. My initial reaction was it seemed alot like regular chichi which is not a bad thing and the story behind the agave is very interesting.
Davey Lasagna
1 reviewReviewing the first pour out of the newly opened bottle:
The first time I brought the veladora to my nose I got pure ranch aroma. I felt like I’d just approached a big crowd of cows. Extremely earthy and pungent.
After setting it down, I approached it again and noticed that it had changed significantly. Pomegranate, dark fruit, earthy brown petrichor, and a bitter (pomegranate pith?), long finish.
The flavor and textures were fairly significantly different from standard chichicapa, to me.
Caveat: i’d been drinking El Tesoro 70th anniversary prior to trying this, so that likely influenced my taste.
Additionally, I unwittingly only paid standard chichicapa price for this, which may also affect my review. Take it as you will.
Reviewing the first pour out of the newly opened bottle:
The first time I brought the veladora to my nose I got pure ranch aroma. I felt like I’d just approached a big crowd of cows. Extremely earthy and pungent.
After setting it down, I approached it again and noticed that it had changed significantly. Pomegranate, dark fruit, earthy brown petrichor, and a bitter (pomegranate pith?), long finish.
The flavor and textures were fairly significantly different from standard chichicapa, to me.
Tyler
668 reviewsWet minerals. Fresh juicy fruit. More slate than Chichicapa. Tried next to a regular Chichicapa (Batch 18-2) and the Boca del Cerro was noticeably fruitier. This is tasty but extremely expensive for what it is.
Jonny
734 reviewsAwesome story behind this batch. This is a total collector’s bottle. Aromas vanilla, bright oranges. Palate notes of plum, pear, mango. A bit astringent. This is good, like all Chichicapa is good, but it tastes very similar to a regular Chichicapa, except for this one big note of plum on this! Tasted this side by side with a regular Chichicapa. There were some marginal differences, like that big plum note on this one. It’s a cool story behind this one for sure.