Palenqueros Baltazar Cruz Sierra Negra Mezcal
Palenqueros Baltazar Cruz Sierra Negra Mezcal is a single-producer mezcal from the Palenqueros series created by Luca Gargano of Velier (La Maison & Velier), which bottles individual Oaxacan palenqueros under their own names. Maestro Baltazar Cruz Gomez makes this bottling in San Luis del Rio, a mezcal village in Oaxaca's Tlacolula district, from wild-harvested Sierra Negra (Agave americana) — a giant, slow-growing agave far less often bottled on its own than espadin. The pinas are cooked in an earthen pit oven, crushed under a mule-drawn stone tahona, fermented four days with wild yeast and distilled in a 300-liter copper pot still, then bottled uncut at still strength, 51% ABV (102 proof), in a 750mL bottle. Production runs only around 800 bottles per batch. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- Proof / ABV: 102 proof (51% ABV), still strength
- Size: 750mL
- Agave: Sierra Negra (Agave americana), wild-harvested
- Producer: Baltazar Cruz Gomez, San Luis del Rio, Tlacolula, Oaxaca
- Process: Earthen pit oven, mule-drawn tahona, wild-yeast fermentation, 300L copper pot still
- Batch: Around 800 bottles
One Maestro, One Wild Agave
Palenqueros exists to put the maker's name on the front of the bottle: each release is one palenquero, one village and one agave, made the slow traditional way. Sierra Negra is the giant of the americana family — broad, stocky plants that can take well over a decade to mature — and Cruz's San Luis del Rio palenque treats it entirely by hand and animal power, from the pit oven to the tahona. Compare it with his neighbor in the series, the Palenqueros Alberto Ortiz Espadin Mezcal, or browse the wider mezcal shelf.
Tasting Notes
Butterscotch and cream, ripe banana and melon on the nose, opening into sweetness and warm spice on the palate over earthy, mineral notes — rich and layered, with the wild agave's depth carrying the full still strength.
How to Enjoy
Pour it neat in a copita and let it open slowly in the glass; a few drops of water stretch the fruit and spice. More single-village bottlings live across our tequila and mezcal shelves and the rare and top shelf collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sierra Negra agave?
Sierra Negra is a variety of Agave americana — a very large, slow-maturing wild agave. Mezcal made from it is uncommon because the plants are scarce and take many years to reach harvest size.
Why is it bottled at 51% ABV?
Palenqueros bottlings are released at natural still strength, uncut. This Sierra Negra came off the copper pot still and into the bottle at 51% ABV, the way Cruz's village drinks it.
How does it differ from the other Palenqueros releases?
Each Palenqueros bottle is a different producer and agave: Baltazar Cruz works with wild Sierra Negra in San Luis del Rio, while the Ortiz family bottles Espadin and Mexicano and Valente Garcia bottles Madrecuishe.
Find this small batch at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — around 800 bottles of wild Sierra Negra, and then it is gone.