PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Cuishe is a genetic subspecies of Espadín, distinguished by its long, narrow leaves and a growing habit that sets it apart even from its close cousin — a wild variety that's earned a devoted following among mezcal enthusiasts for the layered fruit and floral character it produces. This bottling comes from the Banhez Mezcal Cooperative, a collective uniting more than 35 families in the village of San Miguel Ejutla, in the central valley of Oaxaca, all committed to sustainable, fair-trade mezcal production the same way it's been done by their ancestors for nearly two centuries. Alongside the collective's flagship Ensamble blend, individual co-op members produce single-agave varietals like this one, each bottled under the specific mezcalero who crafted it.
Production follows the cooperative's traditional methods throughout: agave roasted in earthen wood-fire ovens lined with brick and stone, crushed using tahonas pulled by horses, fermented naturally, and distilled in small batches. Agave Intelligence's summary of the broader tasting community's response calls it "a balanced, smooth, and complex sipper that offers great value through its nuanced and approachable flavor profile," describing aromas of "tropical fruit, citrus, herbs, floral notes, pine, cinnamon, and cocoa," with flavors of "sweet corn, tropical and citrus fruits, mint, cinnamon, honey, and pepper" alongside "hints of earth and smoke."
Mezcal Reviews' own detailed independent tasting of a specific lot (CU470719) found "aroma is very bold on tropical fruit, jasmine, herbal and cinnamon," with an "oily mouthfeel with generous alcohol on the tongue," describing the flavor as opening with "tropical fruit (guava, papaya, some very ripe pineapple) and eucalyptus," followed by "cinnamon and sweet honey," with "the pepper tingle" staying "pleasingly on the tongue for a medium to long finish," concluding on "harmonious balance," and noting "a light presence of ash" for those "not looking for a 'smoky' mezcal." The reviewer's overall impression was genuinely enthusiastic: "very satisfying overall impression... another excellent mezcal at a great price point from Banhez," going on to call it possibly "my favorite of the Banhez line." This is genuinely well-balanced, approachable single-agave mezcal — a real standout even within a cooperative already known for consistently strong releases.
Banhez Mezcal Cuishe Joven is produced by the Banhez Mezcal Cooperative, a collective uniting more than 35 families in the village of San Miguel Ejutla, in the central valley of Oaxaca, Mexico, committed to sustainable, fair-trade production carried out using traditional methods for nearly two centuries. Made from 100% wild Cuishe agave, a subspecies of Espadín distinguished by its long, narrow leaves, this mezcal is produced by an individual mezcalero within the cooperative.
The agave is roasted in earthen wood-fire ovens lined with brick and stone, crushed using tahonas pulled by horses, fermented naturally, and distilled in small batches. Bottled at 47% ABV / 94 proof, 750ml.
No formal numerical critic score is confirmed for this product at this time.
Mezcal Reviews (extended independent review, Lote CU470719):
"Slight warming, if not neutral initial nasal impact. Aroma is very bold on tropical fruit, jasmine, herbal and cinnamon. Oily mouthfeel with generous alcohol on the tongue. Tropical fruit (guava, papaya, some very ripe pineapple) and eucalyptus hit first on the flavor followed by cinnamon and sweet honey (mostly on the retro nasal). The pepper tingle stays pleasingly on the tongue for a medium to long finish. Harmonious balance on the finish. There is a light presence of ash, so definitely good for those not looking for a 'smoky' mezcal. Very satisfying overall impression. Another excellent mezcal at a great price point from Banhez. Could be my favorite of the Banhez line."
Agave Intelligence (summarized community consensus):
"Aromas include tropical fruit, citrus, herbs, floral notes, pine, cinnamon, and cocoa. Flavors feature sweet corn, tropical and citrus fruits, mint, cinnamon, honey, and pepper with hints of earth and smoke. The overall impression is highly positive, characterizing the spirit as a balanced, smooth, and complex sipper that offers great value through its nuanced and approachable flavor profile."
Nose
Bold tropical fruit and jasmine lead, joined by herbal and cinnamon notes, alongside citrus, pine, and cocoa.
Palate
Oily and generous, with guava, papaya, and ripe pineapple carrying the entry, developing eucalyptus, cinnamon, and sweet honey, alongside sweet corn and mint.
Finish
Medium to long, with a pleasing pepper tingle and harmonious balance, closing with a light presence of ash — genuinely approachable rather than heavily smoky.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Mezcal Joven — Single Agave (Wild) |
| ABV / Proof | 47% ABV / 94 Proof |
| Agave | 100% wild Cuishe (Espadín subspecies) |
| Region | Ejutla, Oaxaca, Mexico |
| Cooking | Earthen wood-fire ovens, brick and stone lined |
| Crushing | Horse-pulled tahona |
| Fermentation | Natural |
| Distillation | Small batch |
| Producer | Banhez Mezcal Cooperative — 35+ family collective |
| Style / Identity | A genuinely balanced, complex, approachable single-agave mezcal — real standout even within an already strong cooperative lineup |
| Aromas & Flavors | Tropical fruit, jasmine, cinnamon, guava, papaya, honey, pepper |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Best enjoyed neat, in a copita or small tasting glass, to fully appreciate its balanced tropical fruit and spice character.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
Your cart is empty
Start shopping
