PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Chino Verde is a genuine rarity even within mezcal's already adventurous world of wild agave varieties. A subspecies of the Karwinskii family (also known locally as "agave Verde" in some Oaxacan communities), it grows as a single vertical stalk with leaves spreading only at the top, foraged entirely from the wild in the remote Sierra Madre del Sur mountains rather than cultivated. It's genuinely difficult to work with — its unusual structure and firmer piña material make harvesting a real challenge — and it's typically left to mature seven to nine years before harvest, letting sugar concentration build to the point that Bozal's own team describes the result as "an extremely powerful mezcal."
This bottling is distilled in small clay pots in Sola de Vega, Oaxaca, part of Bozal's limited Reserva collection — one expression among the brand's broader philosophy of celebrating rare, indigenous agave varieties found only on the steep, precarious hillsides of Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Durango. Production follows the same traditional, artisanal path across the whole Bozal range: agave roasted in earthen pit ovens to build genuine signature smokiness, hand-crafted rather than industrially standardized.
Reception among independent tasters is genuinely mixed, and worth sharing honestly. One Mezcal Reviews taster found "mineral and butterscotch on the nose," with "dried peppers, pine and agave sweetness in the mouth," closing with "a warm finish that dries out slightly ashy" — a genuinely positive account. Another attending a portfolio tasting recalled "a solid offering with a mineral and earthy profile with deep spices, some dried peppers, and a grassiness as expected." A third reviewer was more critical, describing "slight jerky meatiness" and "powerful campfire aroma" on the nose, developing into "Anaheim pepper" and "overcooked carne asada" on the palate, with "underlying rough latex notes" and "a bitter finish" — summing it up simply as "had better, had worse." Bozal's own official tasting note describes something gentler: "aromas of spiced orange are complemented by hints of smooth tobacco, caramel, and fresh-cut grass." This is genuinely rare, genuinely powerful mezcal from one of the harder-to-source agave varieties in the entire category — reception clearly varies by palate, but the story behind the bottle is compelling regardless.
Bozal Mezcal Chino Verde Reserva is made from wild Chino Verde agave, a subspecies of the Karwinskii family, foraged from the remote Sierra Madre del Sur mountains in Oaxaca, Mexico. The agave grows as a single vertical stalk, with leaves spreading only at the top, and is typically harvested between seven and nine years of age — a genuinely difficult agave to work with, both in its unusual growth structure and the firmer material in its piña.
The mezcal is produced using traditional methods: agave roasted in earthen pit ovens, then distilled in small clay pots in Sola de Vega, Oaxaca. This bottling is part of Bozal's limited Reserva collection, reflecting the brand's broader commitment to rare, wild, indigenous agave varieties found on the hillsides of Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Durango. Bottled at 49% ABV / 98 proof.
Nose
Spiced orange leads, complemented by smooth tobacco, caramel, and fresh-cut grass. Some tastings find mineral and butterscotch notes, or a more powerful, campfire-driven smokiness.
Palate
Dried peppers, pine, and agave sweetness carry the entry, alongside citrus, green herbs, and earthy mineral undertones. Reception varies — some find balanced deep spice and grassiness, others a more intense, peppery, savory character.
Finish
Warm, closing with lingering smoke that dries out slightly ashy — genuinely powerful, reflecting the agave's high natural sugar concentration and mature harvest age.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Mezcal Reserva — Single Agave (Wild, Foraged) |
| ABV / Proof | 49% ABV / 98 Proof |
| Agave | 100% wild Chino Verde (Karwinskii family), foraged, Sierra Madre del Sur |
| Harvest Age | 7-9 years |
| Region | Sola de Vega, Oaxaca, Mexico |
| Cooking | Earthen pit ovens |
| Distillation | Small clay pots |
| Producer | Mezcal Bozal (Maguey Spirits, since November 2024) |
| Collection | Bozal's limited Reserva line |
| Style / Identity | A genuinely rare, powerful wild-agave mezcal — reception varies widely, from smooth and balanced to intensely savory and smoky |
| Aromas & Flavors | Spiced orange, tobacco, caramel, fresh-cut grass, dried pepper, mineral |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Best enjoyed neat, in a copita or small tasting glass, to fully appreciate its genuinely powerful, complex character.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
Your cart is empty
Start shopping
