Mezcal Del Maguey Vida Clasico

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 42% | Chill filtration: Yes | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Vida Clásico combines traditional mezcal production in San Luis Del Rio with a bottling designed for cocktails. Introduced in 2010 and bottled at 42%, this mezcal can also be enjoyed neat. It is unaged: its earthy, spicy and smoky impressions do not come from cask maturation.

Espadín agaves form the basis of this mezcal. In San Luis Del Rio, the agaves are roasted in earthen pits and processed using electric shredders for the production of Vida Clásico. Fermentation takes place with natural yeasts in open wooden vats, after which the mezcal is distilled twice in small copper stills heated directly by wood fires.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: On the nose, earthy notes and flint mingle with restrained smoke and burnt sandalwood. Light citrus notes and subtle hints of mocha and flowers complete the aroma.
• Palate: The palate is earthy, with meaty notes and pronounced acidity. Honey-sweet roasted agave meets bold black pepper, smoke and burnt sandalwood. Ginger, cinnamon, tobacco and roasted nuts are more subdued.
• Finish: The long finish is salty, accompanied by gentle smoke.

Distillery/Bottler:

Del Maguey was founded in 1995 by artist Ron Cooper, who brought mezcals from rural family producers to an international audience. Its Single-Village concept puts each village of origin and its producers at the centre. Del Maguey handles marketing and bottling, while the spirits are made by the participating mezcal producers.

Vida Clásico is made by Paciano Cruz Nolasco and his son Marcos in San Luis Del Rio. Their distilleries stand on opposite sides of the river. The family grows most of its own agaves and raises new plants from seeds and offsets in its own nursery. To meet demand, production was expanded by adding small fermentation vats and stills rather than replacing them with larger equipment. Pernod Ricard has held a majority stake in Del Maguey since 2017.

Facts: