Mal de Amor Mezcal Tepeztate
Mal de Amor Mezcal Tepeztate is a 45% ABV (90 proof), 750mL artesanal joven mezcal made from wild Tepeztate agave (Agave marmorata) — one of the slowest-maturing agaves in Mexico, taking up to 15 years to reach peak maturity before harvest. Made by the Hernández family at Palenque Mal de Amor in Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca, under third-generation maestro mezcalero Armando Hernández, it is slow-roasted underground, crushed by horse-drawn tahona, fermented wild, and double-distilled in small copper pot stills. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 45% (90 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Agave: 100% wild Tepeztate (Agave marmorata)
- Class: joven — unaged, rested in glass before bottling
- Origin: Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca, Mexico
- Production: underground roast, tahona crush, wild fermentation, double copper-pot distillation
Wild Agave, Family Hands
Tepeztate grows wild on Oaxacan hillsides and cannot be rushed — fifteen years to maturity means every bottle is a decade and a half in the making. The Hernández family's Zapotec palenque keeps the old ways: agave roasted in earthen pits for four to five days, crushed under a horse-drawn stone tahona, fermented with wild yeast, and rested in glass rather than oak so the agave speaks first. Explore more mezcal or browse everything from Mal de Amor at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Mineral and savory, green pepper and citrus (brand notes).
Palate: Bright citrus over earthy agave depth, a savory herbal thread, gentle smoke.
Finish: Long and mineral-driven with fading wild-herb notes.
How to Enjoy
Sip neat in a copita at room temperature — this is a connoisseur's mezcal. A few drops of water open the mineral core; pair with citrus and sal de gusano.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tepeztate agave?
Agave marmorata, a wild agave known for its striped leaves, prized for complex, mineral, savory mezcal.
Is Mal de Amor Tepeztate aged?
No — it is a joven, unaged and rested in glass, so the agave character is unfiltered.
Who makes Mal de Amor mezcal?
The Hernández family at Palenque Mal de Amor in Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca, led by maestro mezcalero Armando Hernández.
What does Tepeztate mezcal taste like?
Mineral, savory, and citrusy with green pepper and a touch of smoke — wilder and more intense than espadín.
Fifteen years in the making in every glass — order Mal de Amor Mezcal Tepeztate online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.