Divino Maguey Mezcal Artesanal Tepeztate Joven 94

Divino Maguey Mezcal Artesanal Tepeztate Joven comes from Oaxaca, Mexico, where wild tepeztate agave (Agave marmorata) clings to rocky hillsides and canyon walls for decades before it is ready to harvest. Bottled joven — unrested and unaged — and carrying the mezcal artesanal designation, it puts the character of one of the most patient plants in the agave world front and center, exactly as it comes off the still.

Tepeztate announces itself immediately: green bell pepper, fresh-cut herbs, and wet stone on the nose, followed by a palate of roasted agave, jalapeño brightness, and ripe tropical fruit over an earthy, mineral core. A thread of soft smoke runs underneath rather than on top, and the finish stays long, peppery, and herbal — wilder and more vegetal than any espadín.

Because tepeztate takes so long to mature, bottlings like this appear in limited quantities and disappear quickly, making it a natural target for agave collectors and a standout gift for the mezcal drinker who has moved past the familiar. Pour it beside the espadín mezcals and sipping tequilas in the Liquor Geeks agave collection to taste just how far the category stretches. Ships to most US states. Adult-signature required at delivery.