Derrumbes San Luis Potosi Mezcal
Derrumbes San Luis Potosi Mezcal is a 100% wild Salmiana mezcal from the high-altitude Central Mexican Plateau, bottled at the lot-specific ABV printed on the label (most commonly around 43.5%) in a 750mL bottle. Unlike every other Derrumbes expression, J. Manuel Pérez of Charcas cooks the agave in an above-ground oven over volcanic rocks heated by dry quiotes — no earth pit, so almost no smoke. Tahona-milled, wild-yeast fermented in masonry vats, double-distilled in copper, and rested in glass before bottling, it's the clean, mineral, unsmoky outlier of the Derrumbes line. Order online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: Varies by lot — most commonly ~43.5% (documented 43–44.7%); check the bottle label
- Size: 750mL (US)
- Agave: 100% wild Agave Salmiana
- Production: Above-ground horno with volcanic rocks (NOT pit-roasted — not smoky), tahona crush, wild-yeast fermentation in masonry vats, double-distilled in copper, glass-rested
- Origin: Charcas, San Luis Potosí — J. Manuel Pérez
- Brand: Derrumbes (est. 2012); US importer Spirit of Gallo
The Unsmoky Mezcal
Ask for a mezcal without smoke and most people will look at you funny — but Derrumbes' San Luis Potosí is exactly that. By cooking above ground instead of in an earth pit, it keeps all of wild Salmiana's austere, mineral character and none of the barbecue. If you love mezcal's agave depth but not the smoke, start here. Compare it against the other Derrumbes expressions and browse mezcal.
Tasting Notes
Relatively austere on the nose, then sweet, complex, and approachable — well balanced and fruity with evident chalky minerality. Sun-dried vegetables, leather, dried fruit, white pepper, jasmine, and fennel, with a lightly charred finish of tobacco, minerals, and chile.
How to Enjoy
Neat in a copita to appreciate the unsmoky purity. Its clean mineral profile also makes it the Derrumbes most at home in a refined cocktail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Derrumbes San Luis Potosi smoky?
Notably less so than any other Derrumbes — the agave is cooked in an above-ground oven over volcanic rocks rather than an earth pit, so it picks up almost no smoke.
What agave is Derrumbes San Luis Potosi made from?
100% wild Agave Salmiana from the high-altitude Central Mexican Plateau.
What is the ABV of Derrumbes San Luis Potosi?
It varies by lot and is printed on each bottle; most lots are around 43.5% ABV.
The mezcal for people who think they don't like smoke — order Derrumbes San Luis Potosi Mezcal online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.