Palomas Mensajeras Chino, Alto, Mexicano is produced at that the lake-side Palomas vinata in the community of Oponguio, Michoacán.
About this destilado de agave
Palomas Mensajeras Chino, Alto, Mexicano is made with Agave cupreata, Agave inaequidens, and Agave rhodacantha in the lake-side community of Oponguio, Michoacán. This is a product of maestro vinatero Don Miguel Perez Resendiz and his sons Miguel (jr) and Melltón. While the maguey Chino and Alto are endemic to Michoacán, maguey Mexicano is not. Don Miguel collected Agave rhodacantha (maguey Mexicano) seeds on a trip to Oaxaca a few decades ago. He planted the seeds and the family collected additional seeds from those plants once those original agave reached maturity. The family now has a sustainable supply of Agave rhodacantha growing on their land in Michoacán. The agaves are cooked in an underground pit oven and milled by a mechanical shredder that the family made from a converted 1978 Dotson car engine. The agaves are then fermented with open air wild yeasts in earthen pits that are lined with oak planks. Finally the agave is distilled in a Tarascan (aka Filipino) still.
The first batch of this imported into the US was distilled in April of 2019 and aged in glass for 4 years and 3 months.
Palomas Mensajeras
Palomas Mensajeras is produced by the Perez family in Oponguio, Michoacán which is situated on the banks of the beautiful Lake Pátzcuaro. The brand was officially established in the early 2000s, but the family has been producing mezcal for 4 generations. It is a true family operation with every family member playing a part in the production and day-to-day operations.
Learn more:
- Flying through paradise with Palomas Mensajeras on the Mezcal Reviews blog
Review this bottle
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Tyler
668 reviewsOne of my favorites from Palomas. Such a unique batch as well since they are pretty much the only guys with Mexicano in Michoacán. It is a bit dry with some fruity notes. Almost a bit of Runts with the candy coating artificial fruit note. I get the lime other reviews mention. Also some wet herbs which all of their mezcals have a bit of. January 2018 batch purchased at the vinata.
jackstraw
37 reviewsbatch: ENS-04-19
abv: 50%
mango, lemonade;
pineapple, guava, lime;
pink bubblegum;
strawberry cheesecake;
fresh flowers, orange peel;
soft smoke; cherry
#33
Gfunk
23 reviewsInitial nose, very citrus forward, very pleasant and not hot. First tasting was like a mango habanero salsa. Super fruity and spicy. The mango and spice just continued for the whole glass. Fantastic.
Jake W
10 reviewsBatch ENS-04/19
Country Time pink lemonade is so apt for this one! Smells like summer, warheads candy, grapefruit, mango, fresh strawberries and hay jump to your nose. The lemonade carries right into the taste but carries watermelon ripeness, bubblegum, palm sugar, and orange cream. Wraps up so quickly that it’s basically asking you to chug it. If there was ever a poolside bottle, this is it. Super complex bottle but so approachable, the more I drink the more I find.
tallchad
126 reviewsThis ensemble brings the PM family together nicely. If I had one to pick for my bar it would be this one (sorry Mexicano). It does so many good things and can appeal to many.
The aroma is ok, mostly highlighting the earthy alto.
The taste is so great! It brings all the expression flavors together and is a nice combination of the earthy, heat and sweetness from its constituents.
The finish is really fun. Almost chewy with some viscosity and flavors. Very well done!
El Dawg
237 reviewsNose is similar to the Mexicano with some of that alto fruit funkiness. Taste has more alto to me than anything ad well, but this is definitely my favorite of the brand! Bold sweet citrius taste (limes, lemons), dark cocoa, and yet a slight green earthiness too. Candy sweet tarts. For 50% this really is easy sipping.
Review #207
Jonny
736 reviewsBatch ENS04/19. An absolutely phenomenal spirit. This is big and fruity with great body and finish. The aromas include notes of mango, pineapple, and strawberry lemonade. The palate continues with the lemonade theme. Additional tasting notes of hot honey, wildflowers, mango, strawberry cream, grapefruit, and orange essence. This is a total tropical fruit bomb. Fantastic!
Rakhal
430 reviewsTotally different than the single Agave expressions! Big Mango flavor! Also sandalwood, Tang, Spearmint Altoids, and orange creamsicle. Yum.
overproofmonk
3 reviewsSome really bright citrusy elements on the nose that mingle with a woodsy, twiggy note, plus a mix of herbs: marjoram, wormwood, dried basil. It’s super complex, mostly in a straight-forward inviting way, but also a little bit challenging – there’s a hint of VA, though honestly it dissipates super fast that it’s barely worth mentioning. I’m loving it on the nose.
Palate totally lands it: all those elements from the aromatics are there, plus a fun bittersweet note that plays around, jumping from salty-sweet kettle corn to roasted parsnips to creamy corn chowder and a sprinkling of tarragon. Very fun, very lively, thoroughly engaging, and an utter delight.
Some really bright citrusy elements on the nose that mingle with a woodsy, twiggy note, plus a mix of herbs: marjoram, wormwood, dried basil. It’s super complex, mostly in a straight-forward inviting way, but also a little bit challenging – there’s a hint of VA, though honestly it dissipates super fast that it’s barely worth mentioning. I’m loving it on the nose.
Palate totally lands it: all those elements from the aromatics are there, plus a fun bittersweet note th
COak
238 reviewsBatch: March 2019. My favorite of the current releases from Palomas. Nose has lemon/lime and fresh flowers. The palate is similar to the nose citrus, anise, tropical fruits. The finish is like a tropical negroni.
Jam
184 reviews50% abv, no lot number
Review #140: On the nose I get lots of fresh florals, sweet lavender, jasmine, sunflower, mint candy, grapefruit, orange oils, orange juice, and lemonade.
The palate has fresh orange, lavender, lemonade, grapefruit, lemongrass, lime oils, and lime leaf.
This is really pretty! The nose is just blossoming with fresh sweet florals and lovely citrus notes. The palate follows suit quite well, and leaves just a touch of bitter grassiness to keep it from being too sweet but still balanced. Definitely one of my favorite “pretty” mezcals where the florals are not too overwhelming but still present and complex.
This sample was provided to me free of charge with no strings attached.
50% abv, no lot number
Review #140: On the nose I get lots of fresh florals, sweet lavender, jasmine, sunflower, mint candy, grapefruit, orange oils, orange juice, and lemonade.
The palate has fresh orange, lavender, lemonade, grapefruit, lemongrass, lime oils, and lime leaf.
This is really pretty! The nose is just blossoming with fresh sweet florals and lovely citrus notes. The palate follows suit quite well, and leaves just a touch of bitter grassiness to keep it from being too sweet but stil
JDB
190 reviews50% abv, 2.5 ounce sample
Nose: Frost and Fierce Gatorade, pine, bubblegum
Palate: does not taste like a 50% mezcal, really interesting flavors, dry mouthfeel, tart banana, anise, cotton candy, coffee grounds, dates, and lime peel.
Backbone is the alto with lots of notes coming through from the cupreata and mexicano. Really enjoyable and the finish was better for me than the other two reviews from Zack and bpCLT
Ben P
149 reviewsNose: Fresh lime, slightly grassy, like herbal limeade, mulch and wet mud underneath
Palate: Fruity cantaloupe melon at the front gives way to lemonade, mulch, tangy leather, honey peppers. Finish is a bit of brine but gets hot and peppery fast then sort of burns off.
Nose is subtle but solid, front of palate great and finish is fine. The Cupreata shines through a ton for me on the palate. Good mezcal
This sample was provided to me. The above is my honest review.
Zack Klamn
542 reviewsNose – Newman’s Lemonade (my fav). Charcoal. Tiniest bit of anise.
Palate – Tangy, fruity, sugary sweet. Amazing start! Lime juice. Orange peel. Lactic in the finish. This stumbles in the finish in general. Quite bitter (possibly the colas I’m picking up on?) and some alcohol burn roughness.
Fantastic mezcal at the start, mediocre finish.