When it comes to mezcal, there are 3 categories a mezcal can fall under, per the CRM. There is Mezcal ‘industrial’ (ew stay away), Mezcal Artesanal (the majority category, you want at minimum), and Mezcal ancestral (small batch, actually handcrafted).
I came across Mezcal Agua de Jaguar in a bazaar in Mexico City. They had a simple, yet attractive display and unlike almost 90% of mezcal being from Oaxaca, Agua de Jaguar is mezcal Guerrerense. It’s produced in Guerrero, Mexico one of the 9 states to hold a Denomination of Origin for Mezcal. So being the “mezcal lover” that I am, I grabbed a bottle.
Mezcal Artesanal 100% Agave Espadín
Here’s where to me it gets tricky. I am an advocate of information, of putting details on the label, for transparency and to enlighten the consumer about a product. In the case of mezcal Agua de Jaguar, there’s not much. It almost turns into a “because I say so.” Of the little piece of information on the bottle, we can deduct the following, “Mezcal Artesanal, 100% agave espadín, origen Cuahuilotla, Gro, lot 2-2021, 50% abv, and bottle 42/50.”
Because mezcal Agua de Jaguar has no CRM certifications, there’s no way to actually verify that what they are selling is in fact “mezcal artesanal.” Now, I’m not saying that in fact, they are not. Indeed, today many (if not most) mezcal being sold are not in the CRM. So why, how, can we trust the categorization. The answer is transparency and labeling. A good mezcal (“good” in the sense of principle and morals) will and should display information on the label that will allow the consumer to conclude an informed decision.
“You’re labeled as Mezcal Artesanal? Ok, let me check your label.” Does it check off? Who is the producer? What are the methods of roasting, fermentation, distillation? This is all information that can and ought to be on the label. Not only to educate the consumer, because the consumer today is educated but to earn the consumer’s trust.
Details
Brand: Agua de Jaguar
Category: Artesanal
Style: Joven
Agave/Maguey: Angustifolia/Espadín
Vintage: February 2021
Maestro Mezcalero: not denoted
Region: Cuahuitla, Guerrero
Roast Method: not denoted
Milling & Fermentaition: not denoted
Distillation: not denoted
ABV: 50%
Price: $250 MXN (250ml.)
Tasting
Mezcal Agua de Jaguar starts off with a pungent aroma, with no fruitful notes, and gives off more of a scent of wood and dry grass. An average character with the aroma lasting about 1-2 seconds.
Upon taste evaluation, a light body with generous alcohol and light prickle sensation. Flavors are quite pleasant, with a light smokiness, flavors of charred wood, raw potato, wet-dry grass, or hay. A short linger and bitter-tasting mezcal.