Monte Coyote Mezcal Cupreata

Monte Coyote bottles this joven from the wild leaning Cupreata maguey, Agave cupreata, harvested around San Isidro Villa de Etla in Oaxaca after eight to nine years in the ground. It is made by Maestro Antonio Galindo in the artesanal tradition and bottled unaged at 40%, an approachable strength for a species more often associated with Guerrero and Michoacan.
The agave is cooked in a conical volcanic stone oven fired with oak and pine, fermented in pine wood vats and double distilled in a wood fired copper still. That pit roasting gives a light smoke that frames rather than dominates, while Cupreata brings its signature mix of green herbs, citrus peel and ripe tropical fruit. A subtle mineral edge balances a gentle spice, and the finish is soft and warming with a touch of sweetness, making it a clear and lively introduction to the agave.