About Mal de Amor Ensamble Cuishe+Tobala Artesanal Mezcal
The Hernández brothers were raised in Oaxaca, Mexico ― the birthplace of Mezcal. Naturally, the Zapotec brothers grew to love the local culture and traditions, taking pride in the land as well as recognizing the importance of the agave and the famous Mexican spirit. They were forced to emigrate due to the economic conditions in their homeland. While away, they never forgot their origins, constantly dreaming of a time when they would return home. They would finally return as the Palenque Mal de Amor was constructed.
Based in Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca, Mal de Amor is a family-owned distillery where the Hernandezes craft artisanal mezcal. On the same grounds, not more than a stone's throw from the town, you'll find their authentic Oaxacan restaurant, aging facilities, as well as the bottling and labeling part of the Palenque. There, they craft authentic terroir mezcals from various types of agaves that come from different lands in Oaxaca.
Geared towards sustainability, Maestro Mezcalero Armando Hernández watches over the production. Himself a 3rd generation mezcalero, Hernández relies on traditional methods, handed down by his father and his grandfather before that. This means that the agave is slowly roasted underground for 4 to 5 days. Then, it is crushed by a horse-drawn tahona mill and left to naturally ferment for 5 to 10 days. Afterwards, they are double-distilled using 250-liter copper-pot stills and rested before finally being bottled.
This ensamble mezcal expression brings together 2 agave varietals: the cuishe (agave karwinskii) and tobala (agave potatorum). The first takes between 12 and 15 years to mature, the second around 12. Distilled together, the spirit is bottled at 94 proof and features a bold, grassy, and citrusy flavor profile.
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About Mezcal
Mezcal is a distilled spirit made from roasted agave plants between two days and two weeks, which gives it a distinct smokey flavor.
What scotch is for whisk(e)y, mezcal is for tequila.
It can be made from different types of agave in different parts of Mexico, but most of it (60%) comes from the state of Oaxaca. Mezcal offers a large diversity of flavor profiles and ranges between 40 and 55% ABV.
Check out our impressive selection of mezcals, and find your new favorite in the Top 10 mezcal & tequilas, or explore The best gifts for mezcal and tequila drinkers.
