Pelotón de la Muerte Criollo Mezcal 750ml

Pelotón de la Muerte — "Squadron of Death" — carries genuine historical weight in its very name. Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the Criollo priest and Father of Mexican Independence, was executed and decapitated in 1811, his head displayed publicly as a warning. In response, an ad-hoc insurgent army calling itself Pelotón de la Muerte formed to avenge his death, flying a banner known as "The Doliente Hidalgo" — red for the leader's blood, black for mourning the priest, bones honoring his remains. That same flag adorns every bottle in this line, part of the broader Mezcales de Leyenda portfolio, built specifically with the cocktail scene in mind.

This particular expression is made entirely from 100% Maguey Criollo agave (Agave angustifolia rubescens), produced by mezcalero Hector Obregón in Mazatlán, Guerrero. Production follows a genuinely distinctive two-still process: the agave is roasted underground, undergoes a five-day spontaneous open-air fermentation, then double distilled — first in an Arabic still, then a second pass through a Filipino still fitted with a wood hat, a genuinely uncommon combination reflecting the cross-cultural distilling traditions found in parts of rural Mexico.

Drinkhacker's independent review found the mezcal "moderately smoky but clearly quite sweet and fruity, with notes of red berries popping quickly," describing it as "not altogether complex" but representing "a middle-road mezcal style well," with "bolder smoky notes" emerging "on the palate alongside an overripe tropical and citrus fruit character," turning "surprisingly salty and lightly vegetal as the fruit character fades," the finish showing "a lingering saline note and more hints of green vegetables." Mezcalistas' own tasting notes describe "rich agave, fresh cut mango" on the nose, with the palate "fresh and light" carrying "flavors of green bell pepper and piloncillo," genuinely "full bodied." Caskers' extended tasting confirms "an intense drinking experience with plenty of fruit notes," describing "ripe cherry, candied apple, citrus, and pine" balanced "by medium smoke and a long and delicate finish." Mezcal Reviews' community found real range across different lots — one describing "hint of lemon, cinnamon, banana, medium smoke" on the nose, with a "viscous mouth feel," "crayon wax," and "chocolate orange" on the palate, concluding it's "definitely worth" the price point. This is genuinely approachable, distinctively produced mezcal — a real showcase of Criollo agave's naturally fruit-forward character.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Pelotón de la Muerte Criollo is a sub-brand of Mezcales de Leyenda, produced by mezcalero Hector Obregón in Mazatlán, Guerrero, Mexico. Made entirely from 100% Maguey Criollo agave (Agave angustifolia rubescens), the agave is roasted underground before undergoing a five-day spontaneous, open-air fermentation. The mash is then double distilled — first in an Arabic still, then a second pass through a Filipino still fitted with a wood hat. Bottled at approximately 40-41% ABV, 750ml.

Critics Reviews

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

Drinkhacker (extended independent review):
"This is made from 100% Criollo agave, this mezcal is open-air fermented for 5 days before being double distilled, first in an Arabic still and then the 2nd pass in a Filipino still with a wood hat. On the whole this presents with a fairly classic, wholly approachable character. The nose is moderately smoky but clearly quite sweet and fruity, with notes of red berries popping quickly. It's not altogether complex, but it does represent a middle-road mezcal style well. Bolder smoky notes emerge on the palate alongside an overripe tropical and citrus fruit character. It's surprisingly salty and lightly vegetal as the fruit character fades, the finish showing a lingering saline note and more hints of green vegetables."

Mezcalistas (official tasting note):
"Nose: Rich agave, fresh cut mango. Taste: Fresh and light with flavors of green bell pepper and piloncillo. It is full bodied and..."

Caskers (extended tasting note):
"This mezcal offers an intense drinking experience with plenty of fruit notes. Ripe cherry, candied apple, citrus, and pine are balanced by medium smoke and a long and delicate finish."

Mezcal Reviews community (extended review, Lot 1HEC0520):
"Nose: Hint of lemon. Cinnamon. Banana. Medium smoke. Palate: Viscous mouth feel but nice. Crayon wax. Chocolate orange. Hot but not overly stiff — it works really well and potentially dangerous. A good, salty and smoky finish that sizzles and lasts. For the price point I'd definitely pony up for a bottle of this stuff."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Rich agave and fresh cut mango lead, joined by moderate smoke and sweet, fruity red berries, alongside lemon, cinnamon, and banana in some lots.

Palate
Fresh and light, with green bell pepper and piloncillo carrying the entry, developing overripe tropical and citrus fruit, ripe cherry, candied apple, and pine, balanced by medium smoke.

Finish
Surprisingly salty and lightly vegetal, closing with lingering saline character and green vegetable notes — genuinely approachable and versatile.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Grilled or charred vegetables
• Ceviche and fresh seafood
• Citrus-forward dishes
• Light, spiced Mexican fare

Cocktail Suggestions

Paloma
2 oz Pelotón de la Muerte Criollo · grapefruit soda · fresh lime.

Mezcal Margarita
2 oz Pelotón de la Muerte Criollo · fresh lime juice · orange liqueur · agave syrup.