{"product_id":"banhez-mezcal-tepeztate-joven-750ml","title":"Banhez Mezcal Tepeztate Joven 750ml","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eTepeztate 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eProduction 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.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIndependent 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigins \u0026amp; Craftsmanship\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBanhez 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eMade 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eNo formal numerical critic score is confirmed for this product at this time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMezcal Reviews (extended independent review):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"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.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMezcal Reviews community (alternate review):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"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.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMezcal Reviews community (alternate review):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"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.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMezcal Reviews community (alternate review, different lot):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"High salinity on the nose. A bit of pepper aroma. The palate is flat and lacking complexity. Very simple.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBanhez Mezcal (official tasting note):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"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.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGreen 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSweet 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eClean and lingering, closing with vegetal, smoky, earthy character — genuine batch-to-batch variation reflects this mezcal's small-lot, single-mezcalero production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eCategory\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMezcal Joven — Single Agave (Wild)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABV\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e47-48%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAgave\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100% wild Tepeztate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaturation Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e17-25 years to reach full agave maturity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSan Agustín Amatengo, Ejutla, Oaxaca, Mexico\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMezcalero\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApolonio Patricio Lopez\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCooking\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEarthen wood-fire ovens, brick and stone lined\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCrushing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHorse-pulled tahona\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFermentation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNatural\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDistillation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmall batch\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBanhez Mezcal Cooperative — 35+ family collective\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle \/ Identity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA genuinely rare, patiently grown single-agave mezcal — vegetal, earthy, smoky; character varies meaningfully by batch\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAromas \u0026amp; Flavors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGreen pepper, green apple, citrus zest, earth, mesquite smoke\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottle Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e750ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrilled or charred vegetables\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCeviche and fresh seafood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAged cheeses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCitrus-forward dishes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eServing Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBest enjoyed neat, in a copita or small tasting glass, to fully appreciate its earthy, smoky complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Breakthru","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45172029915202,"sku":null,"price":100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0363\/8621\/files\/Banhez_Mezcal_Tepeztate_Joven_750ml.jpg?v=1788797063","url":"https:\/\/www.blackwellswines.com\/products\/banhez-mezcal-tepeztate-joven-750ml","provider":"Blackwell's Wines \u0026 Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}