Vago Arroqueño from mezcalero Emigdio Jarquin Ramirez is a somewhat rare offering from this mezcalero.
About this mezcal
Vago Arroqueño from maestro mezcalero Emigdio Jarquin is produced in Miahuatlan, Oaxaca. The maguey Arroqueño (Agave americana) used in this mezcal is crushed by tahona and distilled in a copper refrescadera still. Emigdio is known throughout the region for his distilling expertise and all of his mezcal holds a high standard for the rest of the Miahuatlan region. The first batch of this to reach the US was made with Arroqueño plants that were grown in the Miahuatlan Valley surrounding Emigio’s home in El Nanche.
Vago Mezcal
Mezcal Vago began when co-founder Judah Kuper visited a hospital in Oaxaca, Mexico. He fell in love with the nurse who treated him. Her father, Aquilino Garcia, was a sustenance farmer who also produced mezcal. Judah and Aquilino, along with Judah’s longtime friend Dylan Sloan, launched Mezcal Vago. In 2013, their first exported bottles arrived in Texas. Each of their mezcals is produced naturally in a traditional palenque with no additives. The brand aims to empower both the master craftsmen with a celebration of his art. Also the consumer by giving them the knowledge they need to find a great mezcal. The brand plants 3 agaves for each single agave they harvest. Their goal is to end the use wild agave by 2025 for most of their releases.
In 2017, Mezcal Vago began using different color labels for their different mezcaleros. Emigdio Jarquin (blue label) distills in copper with refrescador. Aquilino and Joel Barriga (tan and gold labels respectively) distill in copper. Tio Rey (red label) distills in clay pots. All their mezcaleros use different water sources and make different distillation cuts. In 2018, Mezcal Vago established an investment partnership with Samson and Surrey. With the new partnership, each Mezcal Vago mezcalero has a stake in Samson and Surrey.
In 2021, Mezcal Vago went through its first major brand redesign since their launch in 2013.
Learn more Mezcal Vago:
- The Mezcal Vago Tasting Room in Oaxaca on Mezcal Reviews
- A podcast interview with co-founder Judah Kuper on Show de Vie Podcast w/Mike G
- The Mezcal Vago blog Mas Mezcal
Review this bottle
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Jonny
734 reviewsLot E-27-A-21. The nose is very clean and clear. Some light aromas of salt, iodine, and sharp lime. The palate has a good amount of smoke on the front of the tongue. Additional flavor notes of starchy vegetables, like potatoes, summer squash, and corn. This isn’t as complex and dynamic as I expected given it’s 1) maguey Arroqueno, and 2) made by Emigdio. There are some really nice surface level flavors and aromas, but not much beneath it.
razorbackmike
161 reviewsanother wonderful expression from emigdio!i am also fond of arroquenos.this has a floral nose with hints of baked sugar.it doesnt jump out of the bottle.the palate is dark and earthy but not in a heavy way.at first,the taste is sweet with some brown sugar and a hint of sweet potato.the flavors keep expanding to a long complex finish.some brownie mix and sweet vegetables.sometimes its hard to sum up the experience in a description other than to say its delicious and i get something new with each sample.beautifully made.big fan of emigdio and vago.
another wonderful expression from emigdio!i am also fond of arroquenos.this has a floral nose with hints of baked sugar.it doesnt jump out of the bottle.the palate is dark and earthy but not in a heavy way.at first,the taste is sweet with some brown sugar and a hint of sweet potato.the flavors keep expanding to a long complex finish.some brownie mix and sweet vegetables.sometimes its hard to sum up the experience in a description other than to say its delicious and i get something new with each