The Real Minero Tobala is spicier than other Tobala Mezcals, but not overly so. It has hints of chipotle, coconut, and orange.
About this mezcal
Real Minero Tobala is made with semi-wild maguey Tobala. This agave is a much smaller agave with broader leaves meaning that many more plants need to be harvested to make a Mezcal batch. It takes about eight piñas of Tobala to equal one piña of a cultivated agave Espadin. The Real Minero Tobala is spicier than other Tobala Mezcals, but not overly so. It has hints of chipotle, coconut, and orange. These bottles can be very hard to find. If you see one, you should probably try it.
Real Minero
Real Minero (previously Mezcal Real Minero) is considered by many to be one of the world’s finest mezcal producers. The Angeles family has been making mezcal for several generations in Santa Catarina Minas, Oaxaca. Their mezcal is made in small clay pot stills, and almost all of it is rested in glass for several months before bottling, giving the mezcal a much softer character. Outside of creating great spirits, they also have one of the largest and most diverse sustainable agave reforestation programs. With the help of the community, they’ve been able to rescue several agave varieties that were previously thought to be extinct. The ABV of each batch may vary slightly, so check your bottle for details.
In 2020, the brand began dropping the word “mezcal” from their labels. The term “traditional” replaces the CRM “ancestral” designation. Shortly thereafter, the brand officially parted ways with the certification process; all future releases will be labeled as “agave spirits” or something similar. Despite the label changes, nothing significant about their production process has changed over years.
Learn more:
- Real Minero agave nursery tour on Mezcal Reviews
- Real Minero palenque tour on Mezcal Reviews
- Listen to Graciela Angeles Carreño talk about her family’s production on the Show De Vie Podcast: Ep 291 – Graciela Angeles Carreño – The Real Thing.
Review this bottle
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Ben P
149 reviewsBatch RMT09 ABV: 54.57
Nose: Green Peppers, vinegar pickles, brine, light smoke, chili citrus seasoning, earthy
Palate: brine, clay, mineral, wet gravel, Chile dried mangoes, cinnamon bananas, citrus. Finish is buttery citrus, pepper, wet soil, ocean water
This is a really interesting and complex mezcal. It’s not entirely fruity or veggie or earthy. It’s a bit of all three. Good stuff
JDB
190 reviewsBottle: 207/239 Lot#: DTRMT-07 2019 ABV: 50.7%
I don’t think we got to sample a tobalá back in 2017, but I probably would have sprung for a bottle if I had. Also drank several pours at Deckman’s in Baja at an incredible price point (about $13/pour). What a fantastic tobala. Floral, sweet, minerality. A hint of bubblegum, floral tastes like Gardena. I can taste the clay In a big way with this expression. I could drink this all day. I will need to track down a bottle at some point (probably not going to be at the same price point as I got in Baja).
Bottle: 207/239 Lot#: DTRMT-07 2019 ABV: 50.7%
I don’t think we got to sample a tobalá back in 2017, but I probably would have sprung for a bottle if I had. Also drank several pours at Deckman’s in Baja at an incredible price point (about $13/pour). What a fantastic tobala. Floral, sweet, minerality. A hint of bubblegum, floral tastes like Gardena. I can taste the clay In a big way with this expression. I could drink this all day. I will need to track down a bott
Zack Klamn
542 reviewsTried three different tobala at the RM palenque. Their normal offering but then two more special batches where they brought the Tobala in from Sola de Vega in one expression and Miahuatlan in the other. But all made the same way in their palenque. This 3x side by side was exceptional – an incredible way to try and hone in on the respective terrior. The Miahuatlan Tobala was the winner, possibly tasting more like Fruit Loops then actual Fruit Loops. My appreciate for Real Minero after this visit went through the roof!!
Tried three different tobala at the RM palenque. Their normal offering but then two more special batches where they brought the Tobala in from Sola de Vega in one expression and Miahuatlan in the other. But all made the same way in their palenque. This 3x side by side was exceptional – an incredible way to try and hone in on the respective terrior. The Miahuatlan Tobala was the winner, possibly tasting more like Fruit Loops then actual Fruit Loops. My appreciate for Real Minero after this
Americana Kyle
60 reviewsI wish I could see the batch on the label in my picture. This one was a standout in my flight. It had a citrus and floral nose with a great minerality. Fantastic job from Real Minero as always!
Bandoleroo
11 reviewsMaestro Palenquero- Edgar Angeles Carreno. Fecha de destilacion- Enero 2018 botella 01 de 330. Lote ARMT-04. olor de barro, nueces, caramelo. Savor bien grueso y agradable. Platano,pan dulce, y notas el vol de alcohol que es 49.4%. Una delicia
razorbackmike
161 reviewsi have noticed that the real minero tobala and espadin come in different proofs.i dont know about the other agave or ensambles.this was a 2016 edition at 54 %.WOW! a total beast!dont start the night with this one.with that being said,this was a very delicious mezcal packed with flavor and depth.the nose has many fruits (mainly melons) and salty sea breeze.the palate is sooooo complex.i get coffee cake with brown sugar and cinnamon.it evolves into melons and black pepper.the finish goes for days with fresh baked bread.its very strong but not overly heavy.this was a newly opened bottle and reviewing it now will only be half the story.you can usually tell when you have a very high quality mezcal that it will evolve in time.i want to update this mezcal again in a few months.this one was hard to find but very well worth the search.SPECTACULAR!
i have noticed that the real minero tobala and espadin come in different proofs.i dont know about the other agave or ensambles.this was a 2016 edition at 54 %.WOW! a total beast!dont start the night with this one.with that being said,this was a very delicious mezcal packed with flavor and depth.the nose has many fruits (mainly melons) and salty sea breeze.the palate is sooooo complex.i get coffee cake with brown sugar and cinnamon.it evolves into melons and black pepper.the finish goes for days
Derekac7
19 reviewsThis is a serious mezcal. It commands attention and takes you on a journey with every sip. Fruity, floral, earthy, and flavors I can’t identify yet. It’s complex and wonderful.
Mansson
71 reviewsLot L-0010, distilled 2010. Balanced and elegant at the same time as it explodes with flavours. Very fruity (plums, quince, strawberries, lemon). Both sweet (coconut, marzipan) and salty. Creamy texture. Acetone in the background. Leathery notes, especially in the aftertaste.
Jonny
736 reviewsRMT-04. Bottle 120/360 from 2016. Very bright and fragrant. Aromas of fresh peanuts, smoked Gouda, and palm oil. Tastes incredible! This is light and delicate. Lots of finesse. Palate is musty with notes of ground nuts, potatoes, and refried black beans. This is really a 4.5 out of 5 Stars. If you can find it, you NEED to taste it.
fabiomez
1 reviewWooow this mezcal is like no other , your tastebuds explode with flavor running down your stomach, floral and fruitful taste.
COak
238 reviewsRMT-04, 2016, 51.6%, Don Lorenzo. Reviewing this after opening the bottle in April 2017. A beautiful Tobala, much softer than when I opened it. Taste of Banana, orange, clay finish. Looking forward to trying Edgar’s version some day.
thamthong
47 reviewsRMT-02, 2015 harvest, 49.5% abv, don lorenzo angeles mendoza. very autumnal. deep, ripe pears, hint of mulling spices, earthy clay and distant campfire toastiness give the impression of burning leaves. palate is rich, deep, and round in a way that i haven’t had in any other tobala. i imagine that’s the clay influence. it almost tastes like a jabali to me. mineral driven from midpalate into the finish. medicinal at the very end, unfortunately. really good otherwise. finding that i like tobala as part of an ensamble more than on its own.
RMT-02, 2015 harvest, 49.5% abv, don lorenzo angeles mendoza. very autumnal. deep, ripe pears, hint of mulling spices, earthy clay and distant campfire toastiness give the impression of burning leaves. palate is rich, deep, and round in a way that i haven’t had in any other tobala. i imagine that’s the clay influence. it almost tastes like a jabali to me. mineral driven from midpalate into the finish. medicinal at the very end, unfortunately. really good otherwise. finding t
Aequivinius
6 reviewsCrazy nose: mashed bananas, juicy smoke like smoked sausages, some vegetal, bitter greenery; all with a subtle, contrasting spiciness akin to yuzu koshō or green chilis. Becomes a bit sharper as it stays in the glass, and some vanillated mint coming forth. Very fascinating nose, dominated by fruitiness, spice and juicy smoke.
The mouth however it is quite different, lots of vanilla and a very dominant shortbread note; bright cinnamon, grilled bell peppers; slight meatiness and a mineralic finish, almost like slate Riesling. Quite sweet overall.
(Tasted 10 VI 18 in Old Crow, Zurich. Bottle possibly been open for a year already.)
Crazy nose: mashed bananas, juicy smoke like smoked sausages, some vegetal, bitter greenery; all with a subtle, contrasting spiciness akin to yuzu koshō or green chilis. Becomes a bit sharper as it stays in the glass, and some vanillated mint coming forth. Very fascinating nose, dominated by fruitiness, spice and juicy smoke.
The mouth however it is quite different, lots of vanilla and a very dominant shortbread note; bright cinnamon, grilled bell peppers; slight meatiness and a mineralic finis
Tyler
668 reviewsThe first time I tried this mezcal there was vegetal, pear, alcohol on the nose with flavors of cinnamon, fruit, fresh agave, and mint. That batch was strong for my taste. Then I tried Lot 10 from 2010 and was really impressed. It was incredibly smooth with vegetal and earthy aromas and flavors. It has a hint of sweet butter and a fruity finish. That batch was incredible. I think this mezcal benefitted from time in the bottle.