Koch El Mezcal Artesanal Tobasiche 750ml

Tobasiche is a genuinely patient agave — a wild Karwinskii species that spends a full 12 years maturing before it's ever harvested, and one that's genuinely hard to find bottled on its own outside of small artisanal producers like Koch. This particular expression is crafted by Adrian Bautista in Río de Ejutla, Oaxaca, part of the broader Koch El Mezcal de Oaxaca collective. Carlos Moreno, whose family has been linked to mezcal production since the beginning of the 20th century, resumed that family tradition in 2009, teaming up with fifth-generation maestro mezcalero Pedro Hernandez to found Koch specifically to preserve and promote traditional mezcal culture. In the years since, the brand has grown into a genuine collective, now integrating more than 15 communities and 50 producing families, with a real stated commitment to agave self-sufficiency, sustainable water and forest use, and proper waste management.

Because Koch bottles small, individual batches from named mezcaleros rather than one standardized recipe, character genuinely varies lot to lot — the brand itself notes this directly, recommending buyers "check your bottle for details." One independent Mezcal Reviews taster found the bottle genuinely memorable on first encounter, recalling that among an entire lineup of Koch mezcals sampled side by side, "this tobasiche was my favourite," singling out "some kind of minty lift off" that stuck with them ever since, noting "I haven't been able to find another tobasiche from any brand in my area" — a real testament to how uncommon this particular agave is. That same reviewer's detailed tasting found "aromas... very bright and cheerful out of the bottle" — "cedar, leather, tobacco and jolly ranchers" — with the palate "sweet with strong notes of anise," alongside "hints of herbs and roots," describing the mezcal as "very light on the palate" despite its 47% ABV, "surprised it's 47% ABV because it goes down smooth."

SaratogaWine's official tasting notes describe "a strong herbal and mineral presence, with a touch of white peppercorns," alongside "notes of wet scree, ginseng, and Indian walnut, with a slight spiciness of roasted dried chili at the end," the palate showing "medium body with hints of herbal spices of ginseng and cloves," accompanied by "strong flavors of cooked sweet potato, sweet onions and radishes," closing with "a light touch of oriental orange" and "an aftertaste of toasted chestnuts." BottleBuzz's tasting confirms "fresh agave" complemented "by subtle hints of herbal and floral undertones," developing "warm spice notes" and closing with "a smooth, slightly smoky finish." This is genuinely rare, patiently grown mezcal — real, distinctive character from an agave variety most drinkers will never get the chance to taste on its own.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Koch El Mezcal Artesanal Tobasiche is produced by Adrian Bautista in Río de Ejutla, Oaxaca, Mexico, part of the Koch El Mezcal de Oaxaca collective founded in 2009 by Carlos Moreno and fifth-generation maestro mezcalero Pedro Hernandez. The collective now unites more than 15 communities and 50 producing families across Oaxaca, with a stated commitment to agave self-sufficiency, sustainable water and forest resource use, and proper waste management.

Made from 100% wild Tobasiche agave, part of the Karwinskii family, matured a full 12 years before harvest. As an artisanal, batch-produced mezcal from an individual named mezcalero, character genuinely varies from lot to lot. Bottled at 47% ABV / 94 proof, 750ml.

Critics Reviews

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

Mezcal Reviews (extended independent review):
"Aromas are very bright and cheerful out of the bottle: cedar, leather, tobacco and jolly ranchers. Very pleasant palate, vegetal notes... Like other Koch mezcals I've tasted, this is very light on the palate. The flavor notes are light and sweet, with citrus and roasted sugar. Surprised it's 47% ABV because it goes down smooth. Around 3 years ago... I got to try little sips of all the Koch's, and to my virgin mezcal palate, this tobasiche was my favourite. Some kind of minty lift off got me. Since then, I haven't been able to find another tobasiche from any brand in my area."

SaratogaWine.com (official tasting note):
"Aromas: Strong herbal and mineral presence, with a touch of white peppercorns. Notes of wet scree, ginseng, and Indian walnut, with a slight spiciness of roasted dried chili at the end. On the palate: Medium body with hints of herbal spices of ginseng and cloves, accompanied by strong flavors of cooked sweet potato, sweet onions and radishes. Light touch of oriental orange at the end, and an aftertaste of toasted chestnuts."

BottleBuzz (extended tasting note):
"The initial notes of fresh agave are complemented by subtle hints of herbal and floral undertones, creating a harmonious balance. As it unfolds, warm spice notes emerge, providing depth and richness. The smooth, slightly smoky finish lingers pleasantly."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Bright and cheerful, with cedar, leather, and tobacco leading, alongside strong herbal and mineral character, white peppercorn, and wet stone.

Palate
Sweet, with strong anise carrying the entry, joined by herbs, roots, ginseng, and clove, alongside cooked sweet potato, sweet onion, and radish — genuinely light-bodied despite its considerable ABV.

Finish
Smooth and slightly smoky, closing with lingering citrus, toasted chestnut, and roasted chili spice.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Grilled or charred vegetables
• Ceviche and fresh seafood
• Roasted sweet potato dishes
• Citrus-forward appetizers

Serving Note

Best enjoyed neat, in a copita or small tasting glass, to fully appreciate its light-bodied, anise-forward character.