Batch FX2 Tech Sheet
We’re thrilled to announce the release of our latest batch of Especial: FX2 – Tobaxiche de Felipe. Especial is our super premium limited series of Destilados de Agave. Each expression comes from a tiny one-off batch made by a maestro mezcalero in the Miahuatlán area. Locally, these spirits would be considered mezcals – they’re made from agave using the same methods as our other expressions. But due to either the tiny size of the batch, the remote location of the palenque, or the ideology of the maestro, they have not been certified as Mezcal by the regulators. They’re simply too small, too remote, or too independent for the system. In other words, they’re too mezcal fo Mezcal.
Felipe is a 3rd generation maestro, continuing the work began but his grandfather. He is 76 years old and has been involved in mezcal production for over 50 years. He works closely with his son Ageo in the region of Mengoli de Morales in middle of the Miahuatlán plain. Their batches are characterised by rare agave varietals – particularly of the Karwinskii species which proliferate in Miahuatlán – and by the use of a refrescadera still – a type of water cooled copper alembic which allows for clean and precise distillation.
FX2 was distilled from 2 tons of Tobaxiche pinas – roughly 20 plants - bought from the neighbouring village of El Tecolote. Tobaxiche is a type of Karwinskii, in the same species as the better known Madrecuishe and Bicuishe. It is a large member of the species, growing to 8 ft tall, and takes longer to mature, needing 17 years on average. This, combined with its scarcity, makes it a prized varietal.
FX2 has aromas of orange zest, dried chilies, and thyme, with a deeper layer of banana, vanilla, and muscovado sugar. The palate kicks off with the richer notes of vanilla, stewed bananas and caramel, before brighter notes burst through: dried mango, pineapple and raspberries with mouth-watering savoury citrus – like a Mexican fruit salad drenched in lime, Chamoy and Tajin. Smoke is present, but background - you’re near a fire but not next to it. The finish is zesty and mineral and very morish.
Date of production: March 2023
Maguey: Tobaxiche
Agave: Karwinskii
Source: El Tecalote
Number of pinas: 20
Raw weight: 2 tons
Roast: 8 days
Woods used: Encino and Mesquite
Days resting after roast: 5
Grind: Ox-drawn tahona
Fermentaion: 6 days in Sabino Pine Tinas
Yeasts: Wild Airbone
Still: 300 litre copper alembic with refrescadera
Distillations: 2
Volume produced: 200 litres
ABV: 50.7%
