Marca Negra Tepeztate Mezcal

Marca Negra Tepeztate is a joven mezcal made entirely from wild Tepeztate, Agave marmorata, harvested at roughly thirty years of age. Tepeztate matures up to twenty five years on steep rocky cliffs and is among the most distinctive agaves in mezcal, which is why Marca Negra bottles it as a single varietal in its high proof, undiluted house style.
The marmorata character is herbaceous and intense, all green pepper, bright spice and floral edges. Here that translates into fine notes of asparagus, pomegranate and white pepper, with cinnamon and a touch of citrus, while pit roasting adds only a restrained smoke at the close. Round and juicy in the mouth, it is earthy and weighty at 48.9%, a wild agave given room to show its complexity.