La Luna Mezcal Tequilana

La Luna Tequilana is a joven mezcal from Etucuaro, Michoacan, made from Blue Weber agave, the same Agave tequilana that defines tequila but here roasted in a pit and made in the mezcal tradition. This batch drew on eight tonnes of agave grown at Indaparapeo, half ordinary Blue Weber and half smaller Criollo plants prized for carrying more sugar and flavour than their larger kin. It is the work of the Perez Escot family at Destiladora Las Azucenas, four generations in at the same site since 1910.
The hearts are roasted in a rock lined horno fired with the family's own white oak, milled by hand and fermented naturally in open wooden tubs in the open air, then double distilled in a Tarascan still of copper and pine. Because the work is by hand the strength varies batch to batch. Aromas of cherry, sandalwood, citrus and pear lead to cocoa, roasted marshmallow and white pepper with a light smoke.