Publisher’s Picks – Best Mezcal Brands

In each issue of The Tasting Panel Magazine, the Publisher and Executive Editor, Meridith May, selects her favorite wines and spirits for the month.

This month, Sacacuento Anejo Mezcal was given four kisses, sending Merideth “head over heals in love” with one of the best mezcal brands in America.

History of Fine Mezcal

In the early 1920’s Emilio and Agripina Maldonado farmed land north of Oaxaca (Rancho Buenaventura) where they raised their ten children and served as leaders in the local town of Santa Maria Tinu. As part of Emilio’s work, he dabbled in mezcal when he could grow agave on his land.

As travelers would pass through their ranch, they would stop and taste Emilio’s mezcal. As they sat and shared the mezcal they would tell great stories. Those who told the best stories were called “Sacacuento.”

Where to Buy Fine Mezcal

Sacacuento Mezcal is available at many fine locations, including online.

• Click here to buy a bottle online.

Mezcal is not for the Jose Cuervo drinker but for those who like the best tequila or the best cognac brands.

Care of the Morning Dew

On Rancho Buenaventura, our espadin agave gathers it’s strength from over 3,000 nights of morning dew which refresh the plants and help them grow.

Small is the new Big

The Mezcal King was interviewed by The Tasting Panel magazine at the San Francisco’s Craft Spirits Carnival last month and here’s what he had to say…

“You’re going to know what your favorite (mezcal) is by the time we finish (tasting). We make it (agave) the old fashion way. The only moisture the plants receive comes from the morning dew of 3,000 nights. It’s (mezcal) all hand-done small-batch.”

Artisan Holiday Gifts

Buy a bottle of Sacacuento Mezcal for a Holiday Gift for that business client or special enthusiast.

Go online to Old Town Liquor today!

Preparing the Mashed Bagaso

The mash (tepache) is then placed in large, 300–500-gallon wooden vats to ferment aerobically for two days, then 10% village water is added and stirred into the mix. The government requires that 80% of this mix be from agave (as opposed to tequila which is regulated at a lesser amount: 51%). Cane and corn sugars may be added at this stage. In the case of smaller farmer distillers, it is left to naturally ferment from four to thirty days with the action of only airborne microbes. In the case of commercial producers, chemical accelerators like ammonium sulfate or urea are allowed and quantity is not limited.

After the fermentation stage is done, the mash is double-distilled. The first distillation yields ordinary low-grade alcohol. After the first distillation, the fibers are removed from the still and the resulting alcohol from the first distillation added back into the still. This mixture is distilled once again. At this point, the mezcal may be bottled or aged.

Mezcal ages quite rapidly in comparison to other spirits. It is aged in large wooden barrels for two months to seven years. During this time the mezcal acquires more and more of a golden color, and its flavor is influenced by the wooden barrels. The longer it is aged, the darker the color and the more noticeable the flavoring effect.

InterBev provides one place to access the entire beverage market – from ingredients to processing equipment, packaging and finished beverages. Representatives in attendance include bottlers, distributors and producers of soft drinks, bottled water, juice and juice drinks, tea, milk, sports drinks, beer, wine and distilled spirits.

Attendees include beverage company owners and CEOs, plant operators and managers, packaging and processing engineers, sales and marketing executives, warehousing managers, distribution managers and more.

Pouring Mezcal Shots

The Mezcal King will be introducing the strip to Sacacuento Mezcal. Stop by booth 6237!

We hope to see you in Las Vegas!

Come one, Come all…

…to the new San Francisco Craft Spirits Carnival to Try & Buy over 100 spirits brands of all tastes, shapes and sizes:  Sacacuento Mezcal, Absinthe, Whiskey, Bourbon, Vodka, Tequila, Grappa … too many to list. All tastings are included in price of admission.

Enjoy an edgy Vaudville-style Carnival Spectacular – with a twist! (not your childhood carnival performers) This event is going to be EPIC and not to be missed!

Fort Mason Center
Laguna Street and Bay Street
San Francisco, CA

Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 2:00 PM -Sunday, October 14, 2012 at 5:00 PM (PDT)

General Admission is 2 – 5 p.m.
VIP 2 – day pass, early entry from 1 – 5 p.m.; join us both days
Purchase your tickets today, click the big ticket.

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Check out these two search trend graphs from Google Trends:

Mezcal

Tequila

This is the 16th Annual event and it just keeps getting better. Take a peek at The Gallery from last year’s event. The Vintage is growing in popularity because it is a wonderful opportunity to grab someone you love and have a “date night” at the Mission San Juan Capistrano. The weather is always beautiful in the early fall, especially out under the stars in the Mission Courtyard. At the same time you will be benefiting the local business community by supporting the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce, our Visitor Center Foundation and also benefiting the Mission’s Adopt-A-Class program. Get your tickets now! This year’s event will be

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2012
6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Historic Mission San Juan Capistrano
26801 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Mezcal Tasting

Visit The Mezcal King pouring the Award-Winning Sacacuento Mezcal at this event!

Buy Tickets Now

Tickets are on sale July 16, 2012! Hurry, we sold out last year!

Buy now >

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Meet Lencio Hernandez Santiago and his son. Their father, Don Tacho, is a legend in the Mezcal industry within the Matatlan area of Oaxaca. Lencio and Octavia make brew Sacacuento Mezcal.

The barrels you see behind them is the first of our Sacacuento Extra Anejo (three-years) enjoying its time.

This new standard of competence is our primary goal to demonstrate to the buying public how the experts interpret each brands overall quality.

The integrity of The New York World Wine and Spirits Competition starts with the quality and probity of our Judges and where it takes place. No other competition operates “out in the open” during a trade event for the industry. This is our interpretation of integrity. Pure transparency as the entire competition will be at The Bar and Restaurant Show for everyone to observe.” http://www.nyworldwineandspiritscompetition.com/why-enter

Winner of Double Gold

Sacacuento Mezcal’s Anejo is a proud winner of Double Gold in The 2012 New York World Wine and Spirits Competition.

We’d like to thank the competition and judges for recognizing our Mezcal.

Salud!

Strawberry Mezcalita Cocktail

• 1 1/2 oz Sacacuento Silver Mezcal
• 1/2 oz TripleSec
• Juice from 1 lime
• 4 cut up strawberries
• Dash of simple Agave Nectar
• Blend well with ice.

Wet high-ball glass rim with lime juice and then raw sugar.