Bozal Guias de Calabaza Mezcal

Crafted in Rio de Ejutla, Oaxaca, Mexico, Bozal Guías de Calabaza is a rare, seasonal sacrificio (pechuga-style) artisanal mezcal produced using 100% estate-grown Espadín agave. The mature piñas are slow-cooked in traditional underground conical stone pits fueled by local oak, crushed using a horse-drawn stone tahona wheel, and open-fermented in wooden vats with natural wild airborne yeasts. Following an initial distillation in copper pot stills, the spirit undergoes a second distillation during which fresh pumpkin stems and vines (guías de calabaza), along with local fruits, herbs, and spices, are suspended inside the still. This botanical distillation process produces an earthy, savory, and complex profile that balances green vegetable freshness with sweet agave and gentle mesquite smoke, housed in Bozal's distinctive brown ceramic bottle.

Food Pairing: Roasted pork carnitas, grilled lamb chops, mole verde, roasted squash soup, fresh goat cheese crostini, or grilled octopus with olive oil.

Tasting Notes: Crystal clear in appearance with bright clarity, a silky medium-to-full body, and slow-dripping, viscous tears.

Nose: Earthy, herbal, and aromatic, opening with sweet cooked agave, damp earth, and light wood smoke, accompanied by fresh green pumpkin vine, roasted squash, white pepper, and subtle citrus zest.

Palate: Rich, savory, and complex on the palate, featuring caramelized agave nectar, roasted pumpkin seeds, and herbal greens upfront before unfolding into layers of soft mesquite smoke, cracked black pepper, light nutmeg, and wet clay minerality.

Finish: Long, warm, and lingering with notes of sweet agave, roasted root vegetables, gentle oak smoke, and a dry, herbal earthiness.

Serve: Enjoy neat at room temperature in a traditional clay copita or Glencairn glass to experience the full aromatic depth and botanical complexity of this sacrificial distillation.