...TEQUILA OR MEZCAL?

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Kelley Gaines
5 years ago
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3 ...TEQUILA OR MEZCAL? From náhuatl root mexcalli, that means cooked maguey, Mezcal is a traditional spirit distilled from the fermented juices of the agave (or maguey) plant. Mezcal is obtained from different species of agave (espadín, tobalá, cuixe, tepextate, etc.), and is traditionally handmade by and artisanal process in Oaxaca, mainly Santiago Matatlán, the World Capital of Mezcal, and in 6 other Mexican states: Michoacán, Guerrero and Durango, among others. Whereas tequila is a mezcal made exclusively from agave azul and using a industrial process in only 4 Mexican states.

4 WHAT IS?

5 Gracias a Dios is a double distilled mezcal, 100% artisanal, handmade with piñas from espadín agave and other organic varieties, ground and fermented our own Palenque in Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca, honoring fair trade with the help of maestro mezcalero Oscar Hernández Santiago. With a strong, aromatic and balanced flavor, this spirit is the product of a 4-generation family of maestros mezcaleros, who have traditionally kept the artisan processes of making this drink.

6 OUR PALENQUE In Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca and with a production capacity of up to 8,000 liters a month, the Palenque is where we elaborate and bottle our mezcales and agave gin.

7 CÓMO SE HACE? I. SOW One espadín agave needs at least 6 years to ripen and become a good mezcal. II. HARVEST The leaves of the agave are removed from the hearts, which are also called piñas. III. COOKING The piñas are cooked for around 4 days in a dirt oven heated with wood and covered with rocks and agave leaves.

8 IV. GRINDING Once cooked, the piñas are crushed ina stone grinder to obtain the pulp from the agave. V. FERMENTATION The pulp rests in oak vats and is left to simmer from 3 to 15 days, depending on the weather. VI. DISTILLATION The fermented paste is put into a copper still where it boils and the vapors are condensed into alcohol. Mezcal is distilled twice. VII. BOTTLING White mezcal is bottled directly, while reposado rests in oak barrels for 3 months.

9 OUR PRODUCTS We have a constantly variable line of spirits, we don t guide our production on the demand but rather on what the earth has to give us: PRODUCT LINE WILD-AGAVE MEZCALES Espadín Espadín Reposado 2015 Tobalá Cuixe Tepextate

ESPADÍN JOVEN SPECIES agave angustifolia MAESTRO MEZCALERO Oscar Hernández Santiago COUNTY

Vol. BOTTLE CONTENT 750ml AGAVE 8-year grown Espadín TASTING NOTES Smoke and spice right

Same on attack, with spice rising and smoke ever-present; mid-palate nicely sweet, with a

10 ESPADÍN JOVEN SPECIES agave angustifolia MAESTRO MEZCALERO Oscar Hernández Santiago COUNTY AND STATE Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca NUMBER OF DISTILLATIONS Two ALCOHOL BY VOLUME 45% Alc. Vol. BOTTLE CONTENT 750ml AGAVE 8-year grown Espadín TASTING NOTES Smoke and spice right off the bat, followed by fruit and a slight astringency. Same on attack, with spice rising and smoke ever-present; mid-palate nicely sweet, with a hint of citrus. Drying and spicy finish, with a return to that astringent note. Nice balance overall, and good flavor profile.

ESPADÍN REPOSADO SPECIES agave angustifolia MAESTRO MEZCALERO Oscar Hernández Santiago

NOTES Wood polish and spicy oak, wild herbs and citrus pith.

11 ESPADÍN REPOSADO SPECIES agave angustifolia MAESTRO MEZCALERO Oscar Hernández Santiago COUNTY AND STATE Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca NUMBER OF DISTILLATIONS Two ALCOHOL BY VOLUME 45% Alc. Vol. BOTTLE CONTENT 750ml AGAVE 8-year grown Espadín AGING 4 months in american oak TASTING NOTES Wood polish and spicy oak, wild herbs and citrus pith. Spice, controlled smoke and oak, minty and fruity; more spice and rising oak. Balanced and fragrant, with nice earthy notes, good palate development, a nice array of fruit and smoke, spice and controlled oak.

TOBALÁ SPECIES agave potatorum MAESTRO MEZCALERO Oscar Hernández Santiago COUNTY AND STATE Santiago

BOTTLE CONTENT 750ml AGAVE 12+ year old wild Tobalá TASTING NOTES Vegetal and funky, with rubber notes

Balanced and complex on the palate, with integration of discreet fruit and spice, and a hint of lime

12 TOBALÁ SPECIES agave potatorum MAESTRO MEZCALERO Oscar Hernández Santiago COUNTY AND STATE Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca NUMBER OF DISTILLATIONS Two ALCOHOL BY VOLUME 45% Alc. Vol. BOTTLE CONTENT 750ml AGAVE 12+ year old wild Tobalá TASTING NOTES Vegetal and funky, with rubber notes of smoke and peat; deep and long, nuanced, engaging; smoke rising in strength. Balanced and complex on the palate, with integration of discreet fruit and spice, and a hint of lime skinlate. Perfect oiliness. Vegetal/herbal at fade, with good agave tones and profile; long finish, spicy and deep, minty and slightly tropical. A great mezcal

13 Certified Organic Produced under 100% natural y artisanal processes, with no chemicals and conscious of the environtment. Comercio Justo We encourage a voluntary and fair commercial relationship, our mezcal master is an essential part of the project. CRM Recognized by the Mexican Regulatory Board of Mezcal Quality. NOM Our spirits meet the requirements of the Official Mexican Policy.

14 CHEERS! FOR TOMORROW Our commitment with the earth is to keep the balance within our production, sow and harvest, this way we reward what the soil has given us over the years. For each bottle we produce, we sow 3 agave plants.

15 HOTEL MEZCALERO EL COYOTE is and agro-turism hotel devoted to Mezcal, where you can experience directly the complete and traditional process of distilling MEZCAL GRACIAS A DIOS. Some of the ammenities will be: - Agave field tour - Tour around the palenque, where our mezcal is made - 12 rooms, glamping style - Restaurant featuring traditional cook María Hernández - Tour around other palenques in the area - Bike tour around Santiago Matatlán

-MAGUEY- Maguey (succulent) Especially adapted to Mexican desserts. Capable of retaining large quantities of water.

-MAGUEY- Maguey (succulent) Especially adapted to Mexican desserts. Capable of retaining large quantities of water. 190 of the 250 maguey species are found in México. (70% are endemic.) (agave) flor (flower/seeds)