Paquera Cuishe Mezcal Ancestral

Crafted in Ejutla de Crespo, Oaxaca, Mexico, Paquera Cuishe Ancestral is an exceptional, small-batch mezcal ancestral produced by master mezcalero Francisco Javier Perez Cruz. Made from 100% wild-harvested Cuishe agave (Agave karwinskii), which grows as a tall, tree-like plant maturing over 12 to 15 years, this expression represents the pinnacle of traditional pre-industrial production. The mature agaves are slow-roasted in underground conical stone pits fueled by oak wood, hand-crushed using wooden mallets (mazos) in wooden troughs, and open-fermented in pine wood tubs with natural wild airborne yeasts. True to the ancestral designation, the spirit is double-distilled in clay pot stills (ollas de barro) with bamboo condenser tubes, imparting a rustic, deeply textural profile defined by rich terracotta earthiness, herbal complexity, and delicate wood smoke.

Food Pairing: Slow-cooked Oaxacan mole negro, grilled lamb chops, roasted pork carnitas, 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, viscous tears.

Nose: Complex, earthy, and aromatic, opening with sweet cooked agave, wet clay minerality, and fresh pine needles, accompanied by gentle oak smoke, crushed mint, white pepper, and subtle tropical citrus zest.

Palate: Deep, textural, and earthy on the palate, featuring caramelized agave nectar, green melon, and terracotta earthiness upfront before unfolding into layers of soft mesquite smoke, cracked black pepper, wild herbs, and chalky stone minerality.

Finish: Long, warm, and lingering with notes of sweet agave, delicate clay earthiness, herbal spice, and a dry, mineral-rich warmth.

Serve: Enjoy neat at room temperature in a traditional clay copita or Glencairn glass to allow the complex clay-distilled aromas and wild Cuishe character to fully open.