Claridad Bicuishe Capón

Crafted in Bramaderos, Miahuatlán, Oaxaca by fifth-generation maestro mezcalero Onofre Ortíz Ortíz, this ultra-limited micro-batch of Claridad Mezcal showcases 100% wild-harvested Bicuishe (Agave karwinskii). Made from 180 mature eight-year-old agaves harvested at their peak, the piñas were rested after harvest, roasted for three days in an oak-fired conical stone oven, and allowed to rest again before being painstakingly hand-milled using axe, machete, and a small mechanical grinder. Fermented in cypress wood tinas with wild ambient yeasts and local well water before a double distillation in copper alembic stills, this September 2022 batch produced a mere 540 liters. Delicate yet dense, it perfectly bridges the species' signature high-toned, electric profile with a surprisingly rich and approachable weight on the palate.

On the nose, it releases intricate, inviting aromas of oxidizing red apple, roasted sweet potato, fresh sweet pea, and caramelized burnt sugar. The palate leaps to life with a flash of bright, garden-fresh herbs that effortlessly melt into richer, decadent notes of juicy Bosc pear, candy corn, and stewed plum. Thrilling for curious novices and seasoned Karwinskii aficionados alike, this rare ancestral release delivers a stunning masterclass in Oaxacan craftsmanship and agave terroir.

• Producer: Claridad
• Region: Oaxaca, Mexico
• Spirit: Mezcal
• Alcohol: 48%