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92 / the tasting panel / april 2017 TEQUILA REPORT Storied Spirits with Sacacuento Mezcal As with many local traditions, the essence of culture starts with the stories that are told. In the case of the farmers of Oaxaca a century ago, legends and tales were told fireside while enjoying the local spirit, mezcal. The best storytellers were called sacacuentos. The mezcal that now bears that title has a story all its own to tell. Head half an hour north of Oaxaca and you'll find yourself surrounded by the tens of thousands of agave plants of The Rancho Buenaventura, the home of Sacacuento Mezcal. Owned by the Maldonado family, who have been crafting artisanal spirits since the 1930s, the ranch grows over 50,000 Espadín agave plants in addition to its nearly 1,000 highly coveted Tobalà agaves. These plants, all of them eight to ten years old before they're hand-chosen to become mezcal, are still harvested from the Oaxacan soil using a machete and the traditional coa axe. The hearts are then carved into a beautiful piña before being roasted and made into the base of the spirit. Receiving Best in Show at the Santa Barbara Tequila Festival in 2011 was just the beginning of the accolades Sacacuento would receive. A Double Gold Medal in the 2012 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition would follow. Sacacuento can currently be found in California and Nevada, with more markets to follow. Offered in four unique styles, Sacacuento's first expression is their Silver Espadín (SRP $42), a smooth, aperitif-style mezcal. Their three-year-aged Añejo (SRP $72) is every bit the equivalent of an extra-añejo tequila; it makes a graceful evening sipper. The flagship of the Sacacuento line is their Tobalà (SRP $125), crafted from the most challenging but rewarding of the agave plants. Oaxacan culture celebrates the small and exotic Tobalà agave variety, and the mezcal it produces comes across as herba- ceous and elegant. It's no wonder that the Tobalà has inspired such tall tales and rich stories! —Matt Jackson Tasting Notes Sacacuento Añejo Mezcal Aged 3 Years, Mexico ($125) The nose brings in a sweet burnt orange surrounded by an ethereal smoke. The palate feel is a continuous loop as flavors drift along, without bark or bite. Apricot, smoked hazelnuts and brown sugar-battered McIntosh apple draw you in. The finish portrays a wildly enticing orange rind dipped in espresso bean chocolate. PREMIUM MEZCALES LLC SACACUETO.COM PREMIUMMEZCALES.COM enticing orange rind dipped in espresso bean chocolate. PREMIUM MEZCALES MEZCALES LLC SACACUETO.COM SACACUETO.COM 1930s, the ranch ranch to its plants, all hand-chosen Oaxacan soil hearts are roasted and and Tequila accolades Medal in Competition in follow. first three-year-aged their challenging culture variety, brings in in a sweet Storied Sacacuento As Head half the tens the home who have grows nearly of them of them of to become using then made Festival Sacacuento the would California expression smooth, Añejo extra-añejo sipper. Tobalà but celebrates and ceous and inspired such tall