Chilapa de Álvarez, Guerrero LOTE: 0521JB, 48.5%, 132 bottles, May, 2021

Consistently one of the most sought after expressions, it doesn’t help that the batches of zacatoro Mal Bien has bottled have been tiny (> 50 bottles). At 22 cases for the USA, this “big” batch should help at least a few new people experience the beauty of this angustifolia varietal that’s native to Guerrero.

Don Ciro began working as a mezcalero in his teens and continued producing batches until the final month of his life. Ciro’s grandson Javier, on the other hand, spent much of his 20s working at a pizza place in Chicago, before returning to help his grandfather. Working together for nearly a decade, theirs is a story of tradition, the passing of generational knowledge, and its adaptation to a new era.

More info on mezcalmalbien.com