Mal Bien Papalote Reposado en Vidrio from Don Tomás and Emiliano Gutiérrez was produced in the community of Chilapa de Alvarez, Guerrero.
About this destilado de agave
Mal Bien Papalote Reposado en Vidrio from Don Tomás and his son Emiliano Gutiérrez was produced in the community of Chilapa de Alvarez, Guerrero. Don Tomás and his son Emiliano are third and fourth generation mezcaleros in the hills above Chilapa de Alvarez. Like many of their peers, the Gutiérrez family points to the quality their maguey as the determining factor in the quality of their destilados. To ensure that continues, the family has invested in a nursery program that currently includes 50,000+ papalote seedlings in their care.
Batch 0414TG was rested in glass for seven years before being bottled for distribution.
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.
Review this bottle
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JDB
190 reviews46.7% ABV, Lot # is partially scratched out, but it begins 0414
Big fan of these mezcales rested in glass. I think that the profile changes and the flavors get rounder and more pronounced. Raisins on the nose with dashes of clove. The taste has that raisin and fig, a bit of that clove and allspice too, low key notes of wood like pine. At the back end, it tastes like this Japanese rice candy I used to eat as a kid. Might be a little of that strawberry that others hit upon too. It does have that mouthfeel (sorry) of clay distillation but it could be the effect of resting in glass. Good heat with the ABV too. Bottle is about half finished so the taste has gotten stronger if that is possible.
46.7% ABV, Lot # is partially scratched out, but it begins 0414
Big fan of these mezcales rested in glass. I think that the profile changes and the flavors get rounder and more pronounced. Raisins on the nose with dashes of clove. The taste has that raisin and fig, a bit of that clove and allspice too, low key notes of wood like pine. At the back end, it tastes like this Japanese rice candy I used to eat as a kid. Might be a little of that strawberry that others hit upon too. It does have
COak
238 reviews0414TG. Jumping down the rabbit hole into Guerrero papalotes started with this one after reading other reviews. The notes on this have been well documented, nose has strawberry frosting. On the palate I get fresh berries and chocolate. It really is complex and you will pick up different flavors with each revisit.
Zack Klamn
542 reviewsNose – Cream cheese. Cake frosting.
Palate – Quite sweet to start. Grape Kool-Aid crystals. Mint leaves. Dried cherry. Grassy finish that feels like it starts to get a bit dry but not overly. White wine and cocoa in the aftertaste. The whole experience is very smooth, flavorful and balanced!
This was a 1 oz sample this go around and I’m left really wanting more. A good sign plus indicates there are many more layers to this I haven’t peeled away yet. Excellent product!
Nose – Cream cheese. Cake frosting.
Palate – Quite sweet to start. Grape Kool-Aid crystals. Mint leaves. Dried cherry. Grassy finish that feels like it starts to get a bit dry but not overly. White wine and cocoa in the aftertaste. The whole experience is very smooth, flavorful and balanced!
This was a 1 oz sample this go around and I’m left really wanting more. A good sign plus indicates there are many more layers to this I haven’t peeled away yet. Excellent product!
zeepuzzler
25 reviewsLot 0414TG. Breath-taking! Yet another sublime mezcal out of Guerrero. Each pour brings new flavors to the palate, and every sip is more profound than those that came before it. Aromas of chocolate Ovaltine, roasted strawberries, prunes, urfa biber, prosciutto, and gorgonzola dolce. The palate is dripping wet. I’m catching all sorts of fun flavors: Cadbury chocolate, canned peaches, charred scallions, strawberry shrub, the white rind on brie, hay, leather, and mint. A somewhat spicy finish with pink peppercorn, basil, cassia bark, allspice, and summer flowers. I can’t get enough of this stuff. It’s gorgeous!
Lot 0414TG. Breath-taking! Yet another sublime mezcal out of Guerrero. Each pour brings new flavors to the palate, and every sip is more profound than those that came before it. Aromas of chocolate Ovaltine, roasted strawberries, prunes, urfa biber, prosciutto, and gorgonzola dolce. The palate is dripping wet. I’m catching all sorts of fun flavors: Cadbury chocolate, canned peaches, charred scallions, strawberry shrub, the white rind on brie, hay, leather, and mint. A somewhat spicy
Rakhal
430 reviewsSo beautiful. From the first sip you know that it’s something special. The word ethereal comes to mind. I want this to be my house Mezcal, with a 20L garrafón in my closet, unfortunately it’s really expensive. Definitely worth getting a bottle though. What Jonny said about it getting more and more nuanced the more you sip it is totally true. Right now though I just get this impression of flowers, fresh herbs, and garden soil. I love this.
Jonny
736 reviewsLot 0414TG. I’m in love. Big aromas of roasted cacao, dry hay, sage, sea salt, jalapeno, and dark cherries. The palate is so rich and elegant, silky yet viscous. Similar notes on the palate as were on the nose: chocolate, tanned leather, salt, grilled jalapeno, and the addition of some spearmint and peppermint. Part of the beauty of this mezcal is it’s subtly. The surface layer, first-impression, is fantastic, but the more I sip and smell this, the deeper and more nuanced it gets. This is fantastic!
Lot 0414TG. I’m in love. Big aromas of roasted cacao, dry hay, sage, sea salt, jalapeno, and dark cherries. The palate is so rich and elegant, silky yet viscous. Similar notes on the palate as were on the nose: chocolate, tanned leather, salt, grilled jalapeno, and the addition of some spearmint and peppermint. Part of the beauty of this mezcal is it’s subtly. The surface layer, first-impression, is fantastic, but the more I sip and smell this, the deeper and more nuanced it gets. Th