Paquera Arroqueno Artesanal

Crafted in Ejutla de Crespo, Oaxaca, Mexico, Paquera Arroqueño is an artisanal single-varietal mezcal produced by master mezcalero Francisco Javier Perez Cruz. Made from 100% wild-harvested Arroqueño agave (Agave americana), which takes between 18 to 20 years to mature into massive piñas, this limited-production spirit reflects the patience and heritage of Oaxacan distillation. The mature agaves are slow-roasted in traditional underground conical stone pits fueled by oak wood, crushed using a horse-drawn stone tahona wheel, and open-fermented in wooden vats with natural wild airborne yeasts. Double-distilled in classic copper pot stills, this unaged expression showcases the wild Arroqueño's legendary depth, offering a luxurious profile rich in floral sweetness, melon, herbal tea, and balanced mesquite smoke.

Food Pairing: Slow-cooked Oaxacan mole negro, roasted pork carnitas, grilled lamb chops, aged Manchego cheese, dark chocolate with sea salt, or grilled octopus with paprika.

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

Nose: Elegant, floral, and deeply aromatic, opening with sweet cooked agave, crushed fresh mint, and orange blossom, accompanied by soft wood smoke, green apple, wet stone minerality, and light baking spice.

Palate: Velvety, smooth, and multi-layered on the palate, featuring caramelized agave nectar, honeydew melon, and sweet citrus upfront before unfolding into soft mesquite smoke, cracked white pepper, herbal tea, and a subtle clay earthiness.

Finish: Long, warm, and refined with lingering notes of sweet agave, gentle oak smoke, floral nectar, and a crisp, mineral-rich warmth.

Serve: Enjoy neat at room temperature in a traditional clay copita or Glencairn glass to allow the extraordinary aromatic complexity of long-matured wild Arroqueño to fully open.