Marca Negra Ensamble is made with several different types of agave. There are two different releases of this mezcal and both editions are worth trying.
About this mezcal
Mezcal Marca Negra Ensamble is made by two different mezcaleros in two different towns. Make sure to check your bottle for exact details. Older releases were made by Alberto (Don Beto) Ortiz in Santa Maria La Pila, Miahuatlan, Oaxaca with maguey Espadin, Bicuishe and Madrecuixe. It has a semisweet beginning with citrus and yellow plum , clove and white pepper, and a floral end. As of 2017, the Mezcal Marca Negra ensambles are produced by Basilio Pacheco in La Noria, Ejutla, Oaxaca with maguey Espadin, Mexicano, and Sanmartin (sp. Karwinskii) using 1/3 of each type of agave.
Marca Negra Mezcal
Mezcal Marca Negra is made for all who wish to explore and embrace the ancient traditions of true mezcal. The handprint on the bottle represents the tireless work of the master distillers and the ancient knowledge that marks each and every batch. Marca Negra seeks the purest and most diverse expressions of this fantastic spirit, wherever they made be found. Due to limited batch production, the product line changes constantly. New mezcal varieties are created while others cease to exist. Mezcal Marca Negra is 48% ABV or higher because the mezcal is bottled at the alcohol level preferred by the maestro mezcaleros. Check your bottles for details about each specific batch.
Learn about Mezcal Marca Negra in these blog posts:
- Mezcal Marca Negra and Pacheco Family Mezcal on Mezcal Reviews
- Mezcal Marca Negra: Good Things Are Happening on Mezcal PhD
Review this bottle
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little agave
72 reviewsBatch HMC1-22 Bottle 1257 (BP) Basilio Pacheco, 47.2%.
nose: warm roast, pine, subtle
palette: finish is nice, round, warm and full front, leading to a bright light floral finish. nothing stood out for me on this one but it certainly wasnt bad. maybe the mole beforehand mellowed it out. XD
Gregg T&T
100 reviewsBatch XBP06-17 440/2200 Enjoyable, but not remarkable. Butterscotch, some peatiness and rubber balls.
edgy4sure
39 reviewsexcellent – have bought many times, it is soooo good! buy it and enjoy. will always buy this over and over again
t8ke
144 reviewsBatch XBP0617, Bottle 1479/2200
Rich and flavorful on the palate. Coats really nicely, sort of drips across the tongue slowly. Peppery and fruity, with the tropical notes giving way to orange peel, lime peel and some melon. Faint clay, bit of ash. Complex and delicious.
This pour changes from pour to finish and in a good way. The fruity and lactic nose is intensely enticing, but the palate and finish have big body and sustain with flavors that stave away boredom. Im a big fan of this release, and this batch in particular.
Batch XBP0617, Bottle 1479/2200
Rich and flavorful on the palate. Coats really nicely, sort of drips across the tongue slowly. Peppery and fruity, with the tropical notes giving way to orange peel, lime peel and some melon. Faint clay, bit of ash. Complex and delicious.
This pour changes from pour to finish and in a good way. The fruity and lactic nose is intensely enticing, but the palate and finish have big body and sustain with flavors that stave away boredom. Im a big fan of this release, a
TheAgaveFairy
169 reviewsEspadin, San Martin & Mexicano
Compared to the MN Dobadan next to it, much more candied. Laffy taffy candy flavors, amaretto, lemon and grapefruit and grass. Sweet, mineral, candied palate. Slight celery seed finish. Solid, a little hot on entry. 7/10.
COak
238 reviewsAlberto Ortiz. MJ19-15 48/300. Bicuishe, Espadin and madrecuishe. I had higher hopes for this one. It has nice minerals, lavender and citrus flavors. What I don’t love about is it’s finish, too spicy and dry.
TheAuditor
39 reviewsMacra Negra Ensamble
Espadin, San Martin & Mexicano. La Noria Secc 13, Ejutla
Batch XBP0617
This is an Ensamble from Macra Negra, let’s dive in.
ABV: 49.6% ABV
Nose: Green Bell Peppers, Slight Onion, guava, minerals,
Palate: Medium mouthfeel. Warm. Green Peppers, slight mesquite, creamy. Green Onion, slight spice.
Finish: Long, strong green pepper, green onion, spicy. Creamy. Mesquite, mineral.
El_Cura
31 reviewsBasilio Pacheco’s Espadin, San Martin and Mexicano. Buy it. This is a bargain. Smooth and sweet spirit.
stepusin
19 reviewssmell is mild and slightly peppery, smokey and citrusy. taste is strong up front but smooths out a lot and has a very nice after taste (with the same flavors).
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsLiked it better than most others who have reviewed it on here. 5th day of mezcal advent calendar
Tyler
668 reviewsReally nice ensamble from Don Beto Ortiz. It has his signature minerality and light touch with soft smoke. This one is an ensamble of agaves Bicuishe, Espadin, and Madrecuishe. I’ve had a bottle sitting half full for about a year. There are some nice notes of sour apple, peach, salt, and lavender. The finish doesn’t kick but there is a dry note that isn’t wonderful. I prefer the other ensamble from Don Beto which have the same three agaves with the addition of agave Mexicano. Batch MJ10-14, 349/900.
Really nice ensamble from Don Beto Ortiz. It has his signature minerality and light touch with soft smoke. This one is an ensamble of agaves Bicuishe, Espadin, and Madrecuishe. I’ve had a bottle sitting half full for about a year. There are some nice notes of sour apple, peach, salt, and lavender. The finish doesn’t kick but there is a dry note that isn’t wonderful. I prefer the other ensamble from Don Beto which have the same three agaves with the addition of agave Mexicano. B
Jonny
734 reviewsBatch XBP01-17 made by Basilio Pacheco with agave Espadin, Sanmartin, and Mexicano. Bottle 22/2160. Floral aromas with hints of sugar and sweet tarts. The flavor has a bit of nail polish in it, but it’s mostly creamsicle and orange cream. This is a really nice expression and the many agave seem well mixed in flavor as nothing overpowers anything else. Very well balanced and floral in nature.
PhilBrunski
25 reviewsPickle brine, earth, fruity mint. Very smooth but also clears out your sinuses instantly. Typical Cuixe notes throughout the nose, palate and finish. Really unique, and while its not my favorite, I can appreciate the originality here.
marco
14 reviews(batch MJ10-14/ 434/900 bottles) 94 proof
fragrant, open, sweet floral aromas. no hint of smoke. slowly emerging stewed fruit bouquet. a not unpleasant hint of sauerkraut or preserved vegetables?
PALATE: initial hint of smoke opens on palate with less imprint in aroma. broad, minerally core. balanced. no heat. long, radish-like salinity.
after 12 hours open in glass the smoke seems a bit more integrated and pronounced. still firm, round and broad. ash at finish.