Banhez Mezcal Tepeztate Joven 750ml

Tepeztate is genuinely one of the most patient agave varieties used in mezcal production — wild-growing, and requiring anywhere from 17 to 25 years to reach full maturity before it can be harvested. That extraordinary growing period, combined with the plant's typically steep, hard-to-reach hillside habitat, has made Tepeztate one of the most sought-after and increasingly expensive single-agave varieties on the market in recent years. This particular bottling comes from Apolonio Patricio Lopez, in San Agustín Amatengo, part of the Ejutla region of Oaxaca and the broader Banhez Mezcal Cooperative — a collective uniting more than 35 families, all committed to producing mezcal the same sustainable, artisanal way it's been made for nearly two centuries.

Production follows the cooperative's traditional methods: 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. Banhez's own copy describes the resulting mezcal as "rich in smoke and terroir-driven earthiness," with a "green pepper vegetal nose" joined by "green apple fruitiness" and "notes of citrus zest."

Independent reviewers at Mezcal Reviews found genuinely varied, honest character across different batches — worth sharing candidly. One reviewer's detailed tasting found "a green pepper vegetal nose with notes of green apple fruitiness and citrus zest," describing the palate as "sweet green pepper at first sip — almost like a really high end Salmiana," finishing "with a lingering ground pepper/vegetal/grassy/faint mesquite note," concluding it "tastes very clean" though noting that "as Tepeztate has become more sought after there are some really complex and memorable expressions out there that are perhaps a bit more expensive but will be worth the extra spend." Another reviewer, who had personally toured the Oaxaca region where Banhez operates, called this "by far one of the best Tepeztates" they'd tasted, with "loads of spice and young green flavors, coupled by the mellow smoke" characteristic of the whole Banhez range. A third found "bright green bell pepper and a cheesy lactose" on the nose, "aggressive but funky with a great spice," including "notes of cilantro and basil," concluding this particular lot was "one of the best Tepeztates I've had from a Refrescadora Still," with "less sugar, less smoky proteins and tons and tons of green agave flavors." A fourth reviewer, tasting a different lot, found it "flat and lacking complexity," a reminder that character genuinely varies batch to batch with this kind of small-lot, single-mezcalero production. This is genuinely rare, patiently grown mezcal — a real chance to taste one of the category's most celebrated wild agave varieties.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Banhez Mezcal Tepeztate Joven is produced by Apolonio Patricio Lopez in San Agustín Amatengo, in the Ejutla region of Oaxaca, Mexico, as part of the Banhez Mezcal Cooperative — a collective uniting more than 35 families in the village of San Miguel Ejutla, committed to sustainable, fair-trade production using traditional methods dating back nearly two centuries.

Made from 100% wild Tepeztate agave — a species requiring 17 to 25 years to reach full maturity — the mezcal is produced using the cooperative's traditional techniques: earthen wood-fire ovens lined with brick and stone for roasting, tahonas pulled by horses for crushing, natural fermentation, and small-batch distillation. Bottled as a Joven, unaged, at 47-48% ABV, 750ml.

Critics Reviews

No formal numerical critic score is confirmed for this product at this time.

Mezcal Reviews (extended independent review):
"Sweet green pepper at first sip — almost like a really high end Salmiana. Finishes with a lingering ground pepper/vegetal/grassy/faint mesquite note. Tastes very clean and as is the case with most Banhez expressions this goes down all too easy."

Mezcal Reviews community (alternate review):
"I toured Oaxaca, and in this region, where the cooperative behind the brand Banhez is located, they use a 'Z' as opposed to an 'X.' Regarding the flavor, this was by far one of the best Tepeztates that I've tasted. It had loads of spice and young green flavors, coupled by the mellow smoke that I've come to love about all of the Banhez products."

Mezcal Reviews community (alternate review):
"The nose is filled with bright green bell pepper and a cheesy lactose. Aggressive but funky with a great spice. Notes of Cilantro and Basil. Honestly not hitting on some of the intense funk notes usually found in Tep. However I think this lot is one of the best Tepeztates I've had from a Refrescadora Still. Less sugar, less smoky proteins and tons and tons of green agave flavors."

Mezcal Reviews community (alternate review, different lot):
"High salinity on the nose. A bit of pepper aroma. The palate is flat and lacking complexity. Very simple."

Banhez Mezcal (official tasting note):
"Banhez Tepeztate presents flavors rich in smoke and terroir-driven earthiness, with a green pepper vegetal nose, green apple fruitiness, and notes of citrus zest."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Green pepper and vegetal notes lead, joined by green apple fruitiness and citrus zest, alongside earthy, mineral character and, in some batches, a cheesy lactose note.

Palate
Sweet green pepper carries the entry, developing into ground pepper, grassy vegetal notes, and faint mesquite smoke, with cilantro and basil-like herbal complexity in some batches.

Finish
Clean and lingering, closing with vegetal, smoky, earthy character — genuine batch-to-batch variation reflects this mezcal's small-lot, single-mezcalero production.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Grilled or charred vegetables
• Ceviche and fresh seafood
• Aged cheeses
• Citrus-forward dishes

Serving Note

Best enjoyed neat, in a copita or small tasting glass, to fully appreciate its earthy, smoky complexity.