Los Siete Misterios Arroqueño Mezcal Joven 750ml

Arroqueño is the giant of the mezcal agaves: Agave americana var. oaxacensis, one of the oldest and largest agaves used for mezcal in Oaxaca, a massive plant that takes 12 to 25 years to mature, with fully mature piñas that can weigh hundreds of pounds. Because it takes so long to grow and produces so little spirit per plant, a mezcal made from 100% Arroqueño is rare, and it’s the kind of bottle that mezcal enthusiasts hunt for.

Los Siete Misterios was founded in 2010 by brothers Eduardo and Julio Mestre, “whose devotion to preserving ancestral mezcal production centers on the district of Sola de Vega in Oaxaca’s Sierra Sur.” The brand works with a community of about 20 families, and this Arroqueño is made by mezcaleros Alberto Vásquez, Antonio Amador, and Fernando Damián, “who continue the region’s tradition of clay pot distillation, a method that makes up less than one percent of all mezcal production due to the significant loss of liquid it entails.”

The production is entirely traditional: the agave is roasted in underground earth ovens with wood and river stones, hand-milled, naturally fermented in wooden vats, and twice distilled in small clay pot stills (olla de barro) instead of copper. That technique, according to one importer, “softens the spirit and lends it a distinctive rustic, spicier character shaped by the agave’s decades in the ground.” It’s a joven, unaged mezcal, and the strength varies from batch to batch, between 45% and about 49% ABV.

The brand’s tasting notes: “Soft and aromatic, our Arroqueño mezcal beautifully expresses notes of citrus and walnut with an earthy minerality.” The importer describes “delicate notes of butter, herbal shades of mint and thyme, and cooked agave; smoky notes and a delicate floral presence,” and, on the palate, “citrus and walnut intertwine with earthy minerality, unwinding into dried fruit and aromatic herbs through a long, gently sweet finish.” A retailer adds “dried herbs such as epazote and pine needles, grapefruit peel and burnt sugar, balanced by subtle earthiness.”

For balance, the Mezcal Reviews community rates it 3.6 out of 5 across six reviews, with a range of impressions: one taster found “cider, purple cabbage, Fuji apple slices, crabgrass” and a palate of “big grassy notes and soft clay,” concluding “it’s a decent mezcal but at 49% the flavors I felt were a few notches back”; another found “subtle notes of apples, brown rice, and wild yeasts” and said it’s “at the top of the list” of the brand’s bottles, and another found it “very soft and enjoyable” at 50%. It’s a subtle, soft, savory mezcal, a counterpart to bolder, smokier Espadín mezcals, and best for drinkers who like herbal, mineral, vegetal flavors.

Sip it neat in a copita, at room temperature, with a slice of orange and sal de gusano, or serve with dark chocolate or rich dishes.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Los Siete Misterios Arroqueño is produced in Sola de Vega, Oaxaca, Mexico, by mezcaleros Alberto Vásquez, Antonio Amador, and Fernando Damián, from 100% Arroqueño agave (Agave americana var. oaxacensis, 12-25 years to maturity), roasted in underground earth ovens with wood and river stones, hand-milled, naturally fermented in wooden vats, and double distilled in clay pot stills. Joven (unaged). [ABV]% ABV (varies by batch), 750ml.

Critics Reviews

No professional critic scores were found.

Mezcal Reviews community — 3.6/5 (6 reviews):
“This is really nice with subtle notes of apples, brown rice, and wild yeasts. I’ve enjoyed several Siete Misterios bottles and this one is at the top of the list.” · “At 50% ABV, this is very soft and enjoyable.” · “It’s a decent mezcal but at 49% the flavors I felt were a few notches back.”

Los Siete Misterios (tasting notes):
“Soft and aromatic, our Arroqueño mezcal beautifully expresses notes of citrus and walnut with an earthy minerality.”

Importer description:
“Clear, bright, with silver tones and a great body. Delicate notes of butter, herbal shades of mint, thyme, and cooked agave; smoky notes and a delicate floral presence.”

Tasting Profile

Nose
Soft and aromatic. Butter, mint, thyme, and cooked agave, with citrus, grapefruit peel, dried herbs, a delicate floral lift, and soft smoke.

Palate
Smooth and full-bodied, with citrus, walnut, earthy minerality, dried fruit, and aromatic herbs.

Finish
Long and gently sweet, with soft smoke and a lingering vegetal sweetness.

Quick Overview

Cocktail & Serving Suggestions

Neat in a copita — at room temperature, with a few minutes to open.

With orange slices and sal de gusano — the traditional serve.

Food Pairings

• Dark chocolate
• Grilled meats and mole
• Aged cheeses
• Citrus fruit and roasted nuts