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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Pelotón de la Muerte — "Squadron of Death" — carries a name with genuine historical weight. 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 Mezcal de Leyendas portfolio.
Cenizo Durango, also released under the name "With My Friends," was the fourth expression in the Pelotón de la Muerte lineup, launched in December 2021 following the brand's initial trio of Criollo, Espadín, and Pechuga releases — and the first to venture beyond Oaxaca and Guerrero into Durango. The mezcal is crafted from sustainably cultivated wild Cenizo agave, fermented in open-air vats for four days, then double distilled in 200-liter copper pot stills. Each batch is hand-selected by local artist Ricardo Gonzales, produced with genuine respect for Durango's own regional mezcal-making tradition.
Independent tasters at Mezcal Reviews, evaluating a related Durango Cenizo from the same broader Leyendas family, found genuinely varied and interesting character across different lots — one noting "blackberry yogurt" on the nose "with the slightest hint of blue cheese," developing into "a big initial hit of deer jerky, minty sweet milk, buttered popcorn," closing "creamy" and "a bit meaty with an aftertaste of light smoke and thyme." Another described it as "light, creamy with hints of salted butter and caramel," alongside "fresh cut cilantro stems, malted vinegar and circus peanuts," calling it "one of the better and shinier expressions" from this particular Durango palenque. Liquor Geeks' official tasting notes for this exact Cenizo Durango bottling describe "a delicate interplay of earthy and herbal notes, with a hint of smokiness that doesn't overpower" on the nose, developing into "a refined sweetness, complemented by subtle smoky undertones," with "notes of citrus, dried fruit, and a touch of pepper" adding complexity, closing "smooth and lingering." This is genuinely well-balanced, quaffable mezcal — built for the cocktail scene, but entirely capable of standing on its own.
Pelotón de la Muerte Mezcal Cenizo Durango is a sub-brand of Mezcal de Leyendas (formerly Mezcales de Leyenda), made from 100% sustainably cultivated wild Cenizo agave grown in Durango, Mexico. Launched in December 2021 as the fourth expression in the Pelotón de la Muerte line, following the brand's original Criollo, Espadín, and Pechuga releases.
The agave ferments in open-air vats for four days, then undergoes double distillation in 200-liter copper pot stills. Each batch is hand-selected by local artist Ricardo Gonzales, crafted in Durango with respect for the region's traditional mezcal-making practices. Bottled at 45.1% ABV / 90.2 proof.
No formal numerical critic score is confirmed for this product at this time.
Liquor Geeks (official tasting note):
"Peloton de la Muerte Mezcal Cenizo Durango is characterized by its remarkable balance and quaffable flavor profile. The Cenizo agave from Durango imparts unique characteristics to the mezcal. On the nose, expect a delicate interplay of earthy and herbal notes, with a hint of smokiness that doesn't overpower. The palate unfolds with a refined sweetness, complemented by subtle smoky undertones. Notes of citrus, dried fruit, and a touch of pepper add layers of complexity. The finish is smooth and lingering, inviting you to savor the nuances of this well-crafted mezcal."
Mezcal Reviews community (extended review, related Durango Cenizo, house-style context):
"Nose: Blackberry yogurt. The slightest hint of blue cheese but not as funky as other cenizos I've tried. Palate: Big initial hit of deer jerky. Minty, sweet milk. Buttered popcorn. Finish is a bit creamy, a bit meaty with an aftertaste of light smoke and thyme."
Mezcal Reviews community (alternate review, house-style context):
"This mezcal from Durango is light, creamy with hints of salted butter and caramel. It has hints of fresh cut cilantro stems, malted vinegar and circus peanuts. It has a very complex makeup which took a few sips to understand. I know the mezcal from Durango and this particular one is one of the better and shiny expressions I have tried from this NOM."
Nose
Delicate earthy and herbal notes lead, with a hint of gentle, non-overpowering smokiness.
Palate
Refined sweetness unfolds, complemented by subtle smoky undertones, alongside citrus, dried fruit, and a touch of pepper.
Finish
Smooth and lingering, inviting further exploration — genuinely clean and well-balanced.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Mezcal Joven — Single Agave (Wild, Cenizo) |
| ABV / Proof | 45.1% ABV / 90.2 Proof |
| Agave | 100% wild, sustainably cultivated Cenizo |
| Region | Durango, Mexico |
| Fermentation | Open-air, 4 days |
| Distillation | Double distilled, 200L copper pot stills |
| Selection | Hand-selected by local artist Ricardo Gonzales |
| Producer | Pelotón de la Muerte (Mezcal de Leyendas) |
| Release | 4th in the Pelotón de la Muerte line, launched December 2021 |
| Alternate Name | "With My Friends" |
| Name Meaning | "Squadron of Death" — honors the avengers of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla |
| Style / Identity | A clean, well-balanced, genuinely approachable single-agave mezcal — built for cocktails, good on its own |
| Aromas & Flavors | Earthy herbs, gentle smoke, citrus, dried fruit, pepper |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Paloma
2 oz Pelotón de la Muerte Cenizo Durango · grapefruit soda · fresh lime.
Mezcal Sour
2 oz Pelotón de la Muerte Cenizo Durango · fresh lime juice · simple syrup.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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