De Matachines Ensamble Verde Cenzio

De Matachines Ensamble Verde Cenzio is a field-blend mezcal produced by Maestro Samuel Torres in Nombre de Dios, Durango, bottled as batch BUHVC1. The ensamble, which translates to "assembly" or "blend," combines wild agave varieties native to Durango's high-altitude valleys, where limestone soils and dramatic temperature swings produce agaves with concentrated sugars and mineral backbone. This bottling draws its name from the Matachines, ceremonial dancers who have performed sacred folk dramas throughout northern Mexico since the colonial period, a lineage that speaks to the deep cultural roots of Durango's mezcal tradition. Maestro Samuel Torres works in the highland region of Nombre de Dios, where families have distilled agave for generations using methods adapted to Durango's cooler climate and distinct terroir. The wild agaves in this ensamble are pit-roasted over mesquite and oak, milled by hand or tahona, and fermented in wooden tinas using natural airborne yeasts. Torres distills in small copper stills, a practice that preserves the vegetal complexity and mineral character of Durango's agaves while producing a spirit that balances smoke with herbal clarity. The Verde Cenzio designation suggests a particular selection or agave composition within Torres's broader production, though the precise agave species remain undisclosed as is common with many field blends from small palenques. The palate offers green herbal notes and wet stone, with the smoke character softer than coastal Oaxacan expressions, leaning instead toward dried oregano, juniper, and white pepper. Ensambles from Durango tend to show a bracing minerality and a slightly higher proof that carries the agave's essence without excessive sweetness. Sip this neat to appreciate the highland terroir, or pair it with grilled lamb, goat birria, or aged manchego, where the herbal backbone complements fatty, savory dishes. It also works in a stirred cocktail that benefits from mineral lift and subtle vegetal complexity. Available for pickup at our Lincoln Park bottle shop at 1128 W Armitage Ave, local Chicago delivery, or nationwide shipping.