Mezcal is one of the few distilled spirits where the drinker can actually taste the source, in this case, the agave plant. As some have described it, “young mezcal is jagged and primeval, ethereal and alluring, its flavor defined by elemental forces of fire and earth”. Our young mezcal series – Joven Espadin – delivers fantastically what pure, artisanal mezcal should be all about. The aroma wakes up your senses. Upon tasting it, you are immediately transported to Maestro Alberto’s palenque in San Dionisio, Oaxaca, which he describes as “a place of respect and harmony, where no arguments or even bad words can be uttered”. You can then taste the smokiness of the pit and the sweetness of the cooked piñas, and perceive the lengthy, caring process required to ferment, distill and then rectify the mezcal. Our Joven Espadin series is maestro Alberto’s specialty, and one we have chosen to present at 38% so that everyone can enjoy sipping it but also use for mixed drinks.

Joven Espadin is our more readily-available spirit. It is easier to produce, so Wahaka can deliver more spirits in this variation. Many mezcal cocktails are made with the Joven Espadin, and mescal enthusiasts can find the Joven Espadin in their favorite watering hole.

Our Gusano Reposado series is the epitome of smooooooth (emphasis on the “ooooo”). Aged up to 6 months in oak barrels, our 100% Espadin mezcal is exposed to the wooden notes of the barrels but more importantly to the age-old proven benefits of our handpicked, non-commercial grade worms. Many consider the worm to be a marketing gimmick, but nothing could be further from the truth. The worm serves a definite purpose in our mezcal, not only acting as an organic filter smoothing out the rough edges of the high alcohol content but also as an enhancer to the overall flavor with its natural, smoky earth tones (but not overbearing as in other brands of mezcal). There have also been tests that confirm the worm’s aphrodisiac properties. So not only do you get a smooth drink with our Gusano Reposado series, you can also count on exalting your other senses…

“The smoothest mezcal I ever tasted,” says Alex Santa-Cruz, “came from a gigantic mixed jar of leftovers from tastings. There was a layer of gusanos on the bottom about six inches thick.” Our Reposado con Gusano emulates this… Some say the gusano acts like a filter that infuses the power of the gusano to enhance the libido and increase sexual desire.

A wise man once said the aroma of Madre Cuishe agave reminded him of the smell of fresh fallen rain on the ground. A wild agave, the Madre Cuishe tends to grow in and populate low-lying areas in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, which have volcanic terrain, warmer temperatures and generally drier conditions. Consequently, the flavors tend to have a more savory minerality with drier character and an earthy snap. Our Madre-Cuishe™ series captures the uniqueness of this agave to near perfection. As it enters your mouth one can appreciate that the taste explosion is not as aggressive as the Tobala. Rather, it slowly and delicately evolves and develops in your mouth, exposing its earthy, citrus tones first to the tip of your tongue and later to the roof of your mouth and up back into the nose. Its long finish allows the memory to remain for some time.

The Madre-Cuishe™ is another small-batch mezcal from Wahaka. It has a unique fruity flavor that can be paired with a variety of foods including exotic fruits. Enjoy the Madre-Cuishe™ with good friends!

The King of mezcales. No other agave provides the variety of aromas and flavors as the Tobalá, a wild plant that grows mostly on the highlands and finds extremely rugged terrain to grow in, such as steep mountainsides and rocky cliffs. Alberto claims Tobalá is the fussiest of the agaves, “It will treat you the same way you treat it”. Not only finding this wild agave is a challenge, but also its smaller size means a significantly larger number of plants are required to produce a batch of this delicious mezcal. This is Mother Nature’s way of proving that the best things in life you have to work hard for. The liquid is thicker and slightly more opaque than the other varieties. The aroma is very distinguishable and the taste is explosive, both enriched with sweet floral and herbaceous flavors, which is common to agaves that grow in wetter terrain. The warm feeling of mezcal is felt throughout the mouth, reverberating with its vivid notes and remaining with you – a hint of numbness – thanks to its long finish. Once you familiarize yourself with a Tobalá mezcal, you will know why this is a special variety.

Because the unique flavor of the Tobalá comes from a rare type of agave, it is not as readily available as the Joven Espadin. This makes batches smaller and more special. Wahaka lovers usually keep a special bottle of Tobala hidden away for special guests and occasions because of its rarity. Enjoy the Tobalá sparingly!

Simply put, our Ensamble series is a magical mezcal that transmutates in your mouth. “This one is a marvel”, quotes Maestro Alberto, who proudly serves this mezcal for those who appreciate variety in agaves. As you raise the glass close to your nose, the aroma is 100% Tobalá with its distinctive floral expression. As you sip and swish it around, it continues to take the characteristics of a Tobalá, with the distinguishable explosion of floral and herbaceous flavors that expand into every corner and crevice in your mouth, the tongue, the palate, and even your gums. Suddenly and without warning, the taste clearly transforms into a Madre Cuishe, which is characterized by earth flavors, mineral tones and citrus complements, and the numbness is then transported and concentrated on the roof of your mouth and the tip of your tongue. This joyous experience continues thanks to the long finish both agaves afford. Throughout this transmutation, the noble Espadin simply serves as the carrying vessel of its dominant brethren, the mediator who allows their respective virtues to spring out in an orderly and wholesome fashion.

The Wahaka Ensamble is a supreme mix of our best varieties. The unique mixture can be found with no other brand, which gives it a one-of-kind taste. Lovers of the ensemble find this great for pairing with such a variety of foods and delicacies that you will always find a bottle of this close by.