Maguey Melate Maximiliana from maestro Raicillero Julio Topete Becerra is produced in the community of Rancho Nuevo, Jalisco.
About this destilado de agave
Maguey Melate Maximiliana from Raicillero Julio Topete Becerra was originally released as the February 2020 Mezcalero of the Month agave spirit. Julio regularly produces for La Reina Raicilla, and this was a special batch for Maguey Melate. In lieu of the underground pit oven typically used to cook agave Oaxaca, Julio uses an above ground adobe oven that is more common in Jalisco, where he produces. This was the first non-Oaxaca producer featured in Maguey Melate’s monthly spirits program.
Maguey Melate
Maguey Melate was founded on two ideas: 1) Artisanal agave spirits are amazing and should be shared with the world, and 2) The faster-cheaper economy is a harmful force for people, the environment, and now agave spirits.
They believe if mezcal (and agave spirits) can be understood and appreciated at its full potential, people will show their preference for quality artisanal mezcal that is sustainably and fairly sourced. By raising consumer consciousness on the origins of mezcal and educating enthusiasts on matters of quality and character, informed people will be empowered to ensure the future of mezcal. To do this, they’re reaching a large audience with an impactful message: KEEP MEZCAL ARTISANAL!
Maguey Melate is perhaps most well-known for their Mezcalero of the Month Club, which delivers artisanal small-batch agave spirits directly to the doors of consumers in the US and Mexico. In addition to the monthly spirits, they offer exclusive content and interviews with producers. Single releases are also available in the Maguey Melate shop.
Review this bottle
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Tomas
2 reviewsRAI-JUL-001 From 100ml sample. Aroma is vegetal, green banana custard, light sweetness. Taste is hint musty with a subtle dried fruit as well. Finish is minty. I’m new to enjoying mezcal and this one was fun to sip and try to dissect. It didn’t blow me away but it was interesting and I’ll save a decent sample to come back to later.
Everett
3 reviewsMarch 2022
Batch: RAJ-JUL–001
Architor77
4 reviewsBatch RAI-JUL-001. Aroma of dried dates and raisins. Palette is back of tongue sweetness and thick cream that is just a touch sour. The dates and raisins come in on the finish with some minerality.
El Dawg
237 reviewsTrying this one from the 100ml Melate bottle, which seems to be a different batch than the earlier reviews here (RAI-JUL-001).
The raicilla funkiness shines through here, and while not as good as the companion deer pechuga, this one isn’t bad at all. Lots of ‘mintyness’, sweetness, and right amount of funk. Also, some great heat at 50%.
t8ke
144 reviewsFruity at first with red berries, currant, strawberry and then a glue and varnish note. Interesting and wild. Some lactic influence on the back palate. A bit of pepper. Faintly musty.
Wild, interesting, fun.
Rakhal
430 reviewsBig fan of this one. Thyme, wood ash, banana cream pie, arugula, freshly mown grass, cacao, caramel, salted cucumber. Really vegetal and funky but it just works for me.
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsI know Dalton said this was one of his favorites, but this was a gigantic miss for me. Almost couldnt finish the 2oz I poured for myself. One of the most harsh and messy agave spirits I can remember. Im down for cheesey/funky/earthy raicillas, but this is something else. Mulch meets paint thinner. Not for me. Will revisit, but damn this was not good the first time around. Dalton, if you are reading, im sorry 🙁
Maiapal
7 reviewsMy first taste of this was “wow!” The flavor is very unique compared to the other mezcals I’ve tried, even some sweet ones. The nose is sweet. The taste is also sweet, almost a bourbon maple syrup or caramelized sugar flavor. It’s very smooth, no bite. As I continued tasting I got a hint of a sort of green/dirt flavor as a back note. I tried this as part of Maguey Melate’s subscription club at an ABV of 50%.