El Chapu Linero Tepezte Mezcal
El Chapu Linero Tepezte Mezcal is a 48% ABV (96 proof) unaged wild-agave mezcal in a 750mL bottle — 100% wild Tepeztate agave from the highlands of Oaxaca, Mexico, traditionally pit-roasted and copper-distilled, available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 48% (96 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: joven (unaged)
- Agave: 100% wild Tepeztate (Agave marmorata) — one of the slowest-maturing wild agaves, ~25 years to maturity
- Origin: Oaxaca, Mexico (state-level from retailer sources; town/palenque unverified)
- Production: traditionally roasted in an underground pit oven, crushed with a horse-drawn tahona, double-distilled in copper stills (retailer/distributor copy — confirm on bottle label)
The Twenty-Five-Year Agave
Tepeztate (Agave marmorata) is among the most patient plants in the spirits world — a wild Oaxacan agave that takes roughly 25 years to mature before it can ever be harvested. El Chapu Linero's expression is bottled at a full 96 proof, joven, so nothing stands between you and that quarter-century of highland growth: traditionally pit-roasted, tahona-crushed, and double-distilled in copper. Explore more mezcal, see the full El Chapu Linero wild-agave range, or compare other wild-agave mezcals.
Tasting Notes
Published notes for this expression describe full-bodied, delightful, refreshing aromas; a bold and complex palate with notes of smoke, earth, and a hint of sweetness; and a finish of great elegance and length.
How to Enjoy
At 96 proof this is a sipper — pour it neat in a copita and let it open up. A few drops of water will tame the heat and pull the earthy sweetness forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tepeztate agave?
Tepeztate (Agave marmorata) is a wild agave of the Oaxacan highlands that takes about 25 years to mature — one of the slowest-maturing agaves used in mezcal, yielding strong, earthy spirits.
Is it spelled Tepezte or Tepeztate?
Both spellings circulate for this product — our bottle is titled "Tepezte" while several retailers list it as "Tepeztate." The agave's standard botanical/common name is Tepeztate.
Why is it 96 proof?
This expression is bottled at 48% ABV (96 proof), a robust strength that carries the wild agave's full character — sip it neat to taste everything the 25-year agave put in.
Is El Chapu Linero from Oaxaca?
Yes — the range is listed as originating in Oaxaca, Mexico. The specific town and palenque have not been independently confirmed from the bottle.
A quarter-century of wild agave, bottled at full strength — add El Chapu Linero Tepezte to your cart at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.