Alipus San Juan Mezcal - 70CL

Alipús is not a single distillery, but an artisanal single-village mezcal brand created in 1999 by Grupo Los Danzantes in Oaxaca, Mexico. It operates as a social project to support rural family-run palenques (distilleries) by helping them with export certification and so on. Everyone pitches in. Alipus fantastic range is made from 100% Agave Espadín (and sometimes blended with wild varieties like Bicuishe).

Here, agaves are wood-roasted in underground conical pits, crushed using stone mills (tahona) or wooden mallets, fermented with native yeasts in open wooden vats, and double-distilled in small copper or clay pot stills. Each bottling highlights the distinct terroir, altitude, soil type, and local family distillation techniques of specific Oaxacan villages like San Andrés, San Baltazar, and Santa Ana del Río.

Alipús San Juan Mezcal is an artisanal, unaged spirit bottled at 47.5% ABV in a 70 cl format. It features rich, fruity, and smoky characteristics with fresh acidity, crafted using traditional Oaxacan methods.

Tasting Notes

•    Aroma: Caramel, roasted maguey, vibrant citrus zest, and distinct herbal and spicy notes.
•    Palate: Dewy garden herbs, earthy smoke, and sweet minerals with a fresh, balancing acidity.
•    Finish: Long and lingering with a robust, smoky residue.

Estate History and Distilling Methods

Alipús San Juan expression is produced by the Juan family (including Don Joel Antonio Cruz and family) in the village of San Juan del Río within the Tlacolula district.
The production adheres strictly to time-honoured, artisanal craftsmanship. The 100% Maguey Espadín (Agave angustifolia) is cultivated on sunny mountain-top plateaus in iron-rich, ferriferous soils. The hearts of the agave are slow-roasted in below-ground conical stone pits fuelled by wood. Juice is then extracted via a traditional horse-drawn stone mill (tahona). Natural fermentation takes place using wild native yeasts in open wooden or oak vats, followed by a double discontinuous distillation in small wood-fired copper pot stills.

Serving and Cocktail Suggestions

•    Neat: Savour slowly, taking tiny sips with sips of cool water in between to fully appreciate the complex mineral and herbal layers.
•    Mezcal Mule: Swap traditional vodka for Alipús San Juan, adding fresh lime juice and fiery ginger beer over crushed ice.
•    Oaxacan Negroni: Combine equal parts Alipús San Juan, sweet vermouth, and Campari, stirred well and expressed with an orange peel.
Food Pairing Matches
•    Grilled Meats: Enhances charcuterie, flame-grilled steaks, and barbecue pork.
•    Cheeses: Pairs wonderfully with robust, aged, and hard cheeses.
•    Traditional Fare: Matches well with rich Oaxacan garnachas, mineran-style enchiladas, or dark chocolate.