Wahaka Mezcal Tobalá

Wahaka Mezcal Tobala is a single-varietal wild-agave mezcal — 42% ABV (84 proof), 750mL, made from 100% wild Tobala (Agave potatorum) harvested in the Oaxacan highlands, roasted in earthen pits, tahona-milled, fermented with wild yeast in pine vats and double distilled in copper by maestro Alberto 'Beto' Morales in San Dionisio Ocotepec. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.

• ABV: 42% (84 proof)
• Size: 750mL
• Agave: 100% wild Tobala (Agave potatorum), harvested after ~12 years
• Class: Joven — unaged
• Production: Earthen pit roast (3–5 days, ocote wood), tahona milling, pine-vat fermentation with wild yeast (10–12 days), double copper-pot distillation
• Origin: San Dionisio Ocotepec, Oaxaca, Mexico — NOM 0148X (label-copy sourced)

The King of the Wild Agaves

Tobala grows where it pleases — small, scattered, half-hidden in rocky highland shade — and it cannot be farmed the way Espadin can, which is why mezcaleros call it the king of agaves and why a bottle takes so many plants to fill. Wahaka's version is made the slow way by Beto Morales, a fifth-generation maestro: wild Tobala roasted three to five days underground, crushed by tahona, fermented with wild yeast in pine vats and distilled twice in copper. The result is the floral, tropical register that makes Tobala the most sought-after of the wild mezcals. Find it in our mezcal collection, compare the house's other agaves across the tequila and mezcal shelves, or see the Wahaka Mezcal vendor page.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Sweet, floral and herbaceous — the variety's unmistakable perfume. Palate: Mango, pineapple and tropical fruit with grass and a touch of cinnamon, in a rich, rounded body. Finish: Long, warm and sweet, the florals returning at the end.

How to Enjoy

Neat, always — Tobala this expressive should not be buried in a cocktail. Pour a small measure, let it open for a minute, and drink it slowly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Tobala mezcal more expensive? Tobala is a small wild agave that grows scattered in rocky highlands and yields very little liquid per plant, so each bottle represents many plants and a long, careful harvest.

What does Tobala taste like compared with Espadin? Where Espadin is earthy and robust, Tobala is floral, fruity and tropical — mango, white pepper and flowers — with a sweeter finish.

Is Wahaka Tobala aged? No. It is a joven mezcal, bottled unaged at 42% ABV.

Wild, floral and increasingly rare — buy Wahaka Mezcal Tobala online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.