Palenqueros Onofre Ortiz Mexicano Mezcal 48% 750ml

Onofre Ortiz distills Palenqueros Onofre Ortiz Mexicano Mezcal in the hills around San Dionisio Ocotepec, Oaxaca, where he's worked in the traditional way for decades. Mexicano is a cultivated agave species that takes seven to nine years to mature and develops intense vegetal character through its broad, fat leaves — overshadowed commercially by Espadín or wild Tobalá, but bringing something genuinely different to the glass. At 48% ABV, this bottling carries enough weight to showcase those Mexicano characteristics without overwhelming the palate, leaning herbaceous and savory rather than sweet and smoky. Ortiz roasts his Mexicano piñas in an earthen pit, crushes them with a stone tahona wheel, and ferments in open wooden tinas before double-distilling in a small copper still. The Palenqueros label exists to spotlight individual palenqueros whose mezcal reflects not just terroir but personal approach and decades of accumulated technique. Ortiz's method pulls out the agave's minerality — something that feels almost volcanic — and lets the vegetal core come through clearly. The roasting smoke plays a supporting role rather than dominating the profile, which is typical of Mexicano's personality when handled with restraint. On the nose, expect green bell pepper, fresh lime peel, and wet stone, with that smoke threading through rather than leading. The palate leans vegetal and bright, with characteristic Mexicano grassiness woven through roasted agave sweetness, finishing with black pepper and a hint of salinity. It's expressive without being aggressive, complex without requiring extensive agave knowledge to appreciate. Pour it alongside grilled vegetables, ceviche, or anything with charred edges and citrus — the herbaceous backbone and citrus brightness match that kind of cooking naturally. It's also confident enough to sip neat, especially if you're ready to move beyond entry-level Espadín and explore what different agave varieties can do in the hands of a seasoned palenquero. In stock at Off Premise in Lincoln Park.