The Del Maguey Chichicapa is a classic release that may very well be one of the most well-known mezcals on the international market.
About this mezcal
The Del Maguey Chichicapa has a relatively light nose, yet it is deep and sweet on the tongue with lots of citrus and a complex character. It has a long finish with developing smokiness and a hint of chocolate and mint at the end. The town of Chichicapa is dry and tropical, depending on the time of year, with banana trees, guava, and mangoes.
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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Yggy45
7 reviewsLot CHI-175.
Understated nose, a small amount of smoke, some eucalyptus and cedar wood, maybe a little vanilla.
Oak barrels, mint, eucalyptus, cotton candy and bitter herbs on the palate, in that order, with a long slightly smokey finish. Great sipping!
Rakhal
430 reviewsLot 181. Smooth and creamy. I’ve heard that this one was smokey but to me there was only a light smoke. Vegetal notes, asparagus, granite rock, mildly spicy.
Icypu
10 reviewsLong finish, smooth and wet mouth feel. Late secondary taste of smoke, and end pepper note of alcohol. Perfect to sip neat, great choice.
darrenaustin
13 reviewsBest to taste this one in a cognac glass. Gentle aromas of agave and (strangely) a familiar (very pleasant) plasticy smell from my childhood. Nicely sweet flavor and long finish. Fun expression to explore slowly over an evening.
Nic Hnastchenko
108 reviewsClean and green, eucalyptus, mint, citrus… and bubblegum
Gastrafetes
5 reviewsI just went through a bottle and loved every single sip. Neat: campfire smoke, fresh cut grass, roasted peppers, lime. Add a few drops of water and new vegetal flavors will open up to the palate! This is a hell of a mezcal.
Food pairing suggestion: sip this while eating grapefruit. It will go down like water. The acidity of the grapefruit will overpower the acidity of the mezcal, leaving only the sweet and herbal notes. It will be like sipping a juice. Dangerous
pallzley
16 reviewschi-176
cantaloupe, banana, clovers, campfire, rubber. in this order. smell and palate mimicking. reminds me of the similar palate as their tobala. aftertaste is short-medium: agave sweetness and butter. pleasant and balanced. nice experience. as someone who has had his share of mezcals, i want more finish. nothing bad about this mezcal, maybe a tad bold for teetotalers (but what isn’t bold for mezcal newcomers?)
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsThe first mezcal I ever had. Solid for an espadin expression. Always good to have a bottle on hand
Tomixology
17 reviewsEasily my current favourite example of the range of Espadin, much more complex and lighter then others previously tasted.
A delicate nose of fresh flowers and tones alluring to sweeter notes such as honey. It is lightly smoked and short lived in the mouth. Leading to a slightly chalky mouth finish with those sweeter flavours coming through, fresh, a little minty with a touch of chocolate. Enjoyed in comparison test of Espadin with others by DM.
NickSanford
23 reviewsAfter sipping this one on the rocks I tasted a lot more flavors. It was like going through a garden of earthy tastes that transferred into a tunnel of mintiness. You get all types of hints of green peppers and piney flavors at certain moments. Some people prefer neat, but I get more out of this one on ice. Really interesting Mezcal. So much like into this one.
Mateospirit
8 reviewsMan this one is a complex beast. I get a super old funk like I can actually taste the old stone that crushed the agave. It’s almost like a deep dark well. There are things growing in it, a little musty, a earthiness, time. It is very animalic, leather, wood, spice, smoke, clay, rubber on a hot day. All of this in the best way possible. Not for the faint of heart. Lov this juice~
TheAgaveFairy
169 reviewsCHI-164, copyright extends to 2016.
Very complex, intense smoke. Reminds me of better peated whiskies (good versions of younger Springbanks [10yr]) – oodles of complexity hiding under the complex waves of smoke and the agave sweetness that reminds me of lowlands blue weber agave. Complex citrus, nice floral notes, fruit driven, spice tingling throughout, punchy herbs, touches of savory notes. Shows the power and potential of a well made espadin. I’m glad this one is available.
CHI-164, copyright extends to 2016.
Very complex, intense smoke. Reminds me of better peated whiskies (good versions of younger Springbanks [10yr]) – oodles of complexity hiding under the complex waves of smoke and the agave sweetness that reminds me of lowlands blue weber agave. Complex citrus, nice floral notes, fruit driven, spice tingling throughout, punchy herbs, touches of savory notes. Shows the power and potential of a well made espadin. I’m glad this one is available.
Mymic87
13 reviewsNose: Amazingly fruity, it’s like a smoked cantaloupe, lime juice, cooked apple, pineapple, pears, wood smoke, pine needles, rock salt, marzipan, with water, Tarte tatin, salted pastry, mashed apricot,
Taste: Initially dry and vegital then gets a little sweeter, Smoke, roast agave, BBQ asparagus, garden peas, candied lemon and lime peel, Yuzu, salted caramel.
Comments: Amazing stuff, it’s many peoples favorite mezcal for good reason, super high quality stuff.
bumble
2 reviewsMy main mezcal! An easy sipper with great flavor. Citrus & some smoke. Only problem is how quick the bottles seem to empty on me ? lot chi-178
MitchVortex
1 reviewThis Mezcal is balls to the wall. It’s powerful with a luxurious sweetness at its foundation. For me it is best enjoyed neat. The fruity vanilla body coats your whole mouth and the finish is smooth. The alcohol does some subtle pummeling to your tongue, but it is most pleasurable. I highly recommend torching up a killer cigar and pouring a double of this. Crank up your favorite music and sit back and enjoy. Your senses will become aroused. Enjoy it with your lady friend. And if she doesn’t like it she should not be your lady friend.
This Mezcal is balls to the wall. It’s powerful with a luxurious sweetness at its foundation. For me it is best enjoyed neat. The fruity vanilla body coats your whole mouth and the finish is smooth. The alcohol does some subtle pummeling to your tongue, but it is most pleasurable. I highly recommend torching up a killer cigar and pouring a double of this. Crank up your favorite music and sit back and enjoy. Your senses will become aroused. Enjoy it with your lady friend. And if she doesn&#
Wanderingspider
55 reviewsVery good. Notes of olive.
Chris
40 reviewsCHI-121 Really solid in all respects. Great nose, flavors on the palate, finish. If any knock, a little too fruity. The Del Maguey Albarradas, in my case ALB-122, is a bit drier and Jolgorio espadin 04 2009 is a bit drier still.
JRB
13 reviewsDel Maguey Joven Mezcal – Chichicapa / 92 proof
Tahona milled, copper still. Moderate smoke, with agave and prominent fruit / citrus. It’s kind of amazing how the makers of Chichicapa can take the humble Espadin agave and make such a unique mezcal out of it. After my first taste I was honestly thinking “what the heck is this?” But pretty soon I was hooked. I think this is a great mezcal for newbies and for those who want something off the beaten path. (Lot CHI-173)
Del Maguey Joven Mezcal – Chichicapa / 92 proof
Tahona milled, copper still. Moderate smoke, with agave and prominent fruit / citrus. It’s kind of amazing how the makers of Chichicapa can take the humble Espadin agave and make such a unique mezcal out of it. After my first taste I was honestly thinking “what the heck is this?” But pretty soon I was hooked. I think this is a great mezcal for newbies and for those who want something off the beaten path. (Lot CHI-173)
Jonny
729 reviewsLot CHI-114. For me, this is another Del Maguey that tastes identical to the painting on the label of the bottle. I’ve noticed this with a few of them so it must be somewhat intentional. The aromas of this mezcal are not strong. There’s actually nothing overpowering on the nose just some light hints of fresh flowers. The palate, however, is pungent and packed with flavor. I get some notes similar to Texas bbq. That includes notes of mesquite, Worcester sauce, mustard seeds, and sesame seeds. It’s really phenomenal and has a deep smokey nature that coats the mouth.
Lot CHI-114. For me, this is another Del Maguey that tastes identical to the painting on the label of the bottle. I’ve noticed this with a few of them so it must be somewhat intentional. The aromas of this mezcal are not strong. There’s actually nothing overpowering on the nose just some light hints of fresh flowers. The palate, however, is pungent and packed with flavor. I get some notes similar to Texas bbq. That includes notes of mesquite, Worcester sauce, mustard seeds, and sesam
c_woodger
4 reviewsI had the pleasure of visiting this palenque 2 years ago and was able to meet Don Faustino and tell him how much I love his Mezcal. One of the finest expressions of Espadin as far as I’m concerned. Lots citrus and tropical fruit with herbal notes and subtle smoke as the back bone of this Mezcal. Que Rico!