El Jolgorio Mezcal Especial Jabali

El Jolgorio Jabalí is a joven made entirely from wild Jabalí, Agave convallis, harvested at sixteen to eighteen years. It belongs to El Jolgorio's Especial series from Casa Cortés in Santiago Matatlán, a line of black bottled, very limited releases of the rarest magueyes; the 2013 edition was distilled at Santa María Zoquitlán by Ignacio Parada and ran to only 54 bottles, with batches landing around 50%.

Jabalí is notoriously difficult to work because it foams violently through fermentation and distillation, which keeps yields tiny and prizes high. The reward is an intensely aromatic, floral spirit: carrot tops, canned pear, leather and fresh dough on the nose, lifted by jasmine and rosewater, then peppermint, white pepper and a cherry edged fruit cocktail with sandalwood and pine. The finish carries damp tobacco, a trace of clay and dark chocolate.