Koch Arroqueno is made with 100% wild maguey Arroqueno. This mezcal has high fruity notes with hints of earth and herbs, clay and smoke.
About this mezcal
Koch Arroqueno is made with wild maguey Arroqueno (agave Americana). Typically, this agave can take up to 20 years to mature, before it is pit roasted in a traditional fashion. Given the length of time needed to grow this elegant agave, sustainability of Arroqueno has become a big issue. The Koch Arroqueno is made by Adrian Bautista in Rio de Ejutla, Oaxaca. This mezcal has high fruity notes with hints of earth and herbs, clay and smoke.
Koch Mezcal
Carlos Moreno’s family has been linked to mezcal since the beginning of the 20th century. In 2009, Carlos resumed the family tradition and teamed up with 5th generation maestro mezcalero Pedro Hernandez to create Koch El Mezcal de Oaxaca, with the goal of preserving and promoting mezcal culture. After 10 years of business, they’ve now integrated more than 15 communities and 50 producing families into their collective. Each batch will vary, so check your bottle for details.
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Chuey Agave
19 reviewsLot 1/19
Aroma – roasted agave, citrus, and tropical fruit
Flavor – roasted agave, black pepper, citrus, and mineral notes.
$65 arroqueno was what intrigued me. Not disappointed with my purchase this is a nice everyday sipper for the price. Nothing overly complex but solid none the less.
jmehrk35
46 reviewsLot 01/19
Mezcalero Adrian Bautista
Clay and citrus zest on the aroma.
Astringent buzz initially hits the tongue and warming.
Flavor holds on to the citrus notes with some honey. Some mineral and floral character comes through on the finish. The heat on the tongue definitely dances around for a while, along with some ash. I agree with Taylor that there is some blueberry that is present in the background that is picked up on the sides of the tongue. Again with Koch, well made at a very good price point.
Lot 01/19
Mezcalero Adrian Bautista
Clay and citrus zest on the aroma.
Astringent buzz initially hits the tongue and warming.
Flavor holds on to the citrus notes with some honey. Some mineral and floral character comes through on the finish. The heat on the tongue definitely dances around for a while, along with some ash. I agree with Taylor that there is some blueberry that is present in the background that is picked up on the sides of the tongue. Again with Koch, well made at a very good price
betweentwotobalas
25 reviewsMK006/17ARR. Adrián Bautista. 46.67% ABV.
This bottle starts out slow but improves over time. Subtle smoke with notes of mint, sourdough and caramel on the nose. On the palate, a generous helping of brown sugar, fried celery and bok choy. The finish is savoury and sweet with a hint of spoiled fruit. Sparse info for this 2017 batch. A delicious and inexpensive arroqueno. Curious how the producer sustains both quality and value for harder to find varietals over time.
Jonny
736 reviewsLot 01/19. 3402 liters. 47%. Very clean nose. Aromas of light sweet lemon and lime. The palate is also very delicate and light. This is right down the middle but not super interesting. There’s nothing off-putting about this but also nothing that makes me want to have much more.
Chris-Banzhaf
2 reviewsGreat sipper and great Arroqueno all together
TheAgaveFairy
169 reviewsAdrian Bautista
Lot 1/19 47%
Clean nose. Baked agave, citrus, fruit tones, and light ash fight each other rather than forming a harmonious example.
Light body, acidic certainly, and some minerality and pink peppercorns. The main palate is diffuse, boring, and immediately upon swallow swells into a lot of heat. Drinks closer to a boring espadin here, as the lovely commenter before mentioned, with a little more earthy savory character. Overall, the profile has interesting moments but it doesn’t quite come together, and the palate is a sure letdown.
Adrian Bautista
Lot 1/19 47%
Clean nose. Baked agave, citrus, fruit tones, and light ash fight each other rather than forming a harmonious example.
Light body, acidic certainly, and some minerality and pink peppercorns. The main palate is diffuse, boring, and immediately upon swallow swells into a lot of heat. Drinks closer to a boring espadin here, as the lovely commenter before mentioned, with a little more earthy savory character. Overall, the profile has interesting moments but it doesn̵
Tyler
668 reviewsAn Arroqueño for $70/bottle in the US seems cheap – and it’s a letdown compared to the clay distilled Arroqueño from Koch (which is superb). Lots of tart fruit. A bit dry. A touch of sugar and citrus rinds with a hint of blueberries. Very middle of the road for me. If tasting blind I might think it was an average Espadin. The price earns it an extra half-star because the letdown doesn’t sting as much as a $100+ blind purchase letdown. Mezcalero: Adrián Bautista. Lot 01/19. 3,402 liters produced.
An Arroqueño for $70/bottle in the US seems cheap – and it’s a letdown compared to the clay distilled Arroqueño from Koch (which is superb). Lots of tart fruit. A bit dry. A touch of sugar and citrus rinds with a hint of blueberries. Very middle of the road for me. If tasting blind I might think it was an average Espadin. The price earns it an extra half-star because the letdown doesn’t sting as much as a $100+ blind purchase letdown. Mezcalero: Adrián Bautista. Lot 01/19. 3