47.5% ABV
Chacaleño is a variety of Agave Angustifolia that is endemic to the Las Quebradas region of Durango, near the infamous "Golden Triangle" where the states of Durango, Nayarit, and Sinaloa all meet. This area has sadly been a volatile place known for poppy cultivation and cartel activity. Don Carlos Angulo Ríos is a second generation Vinatero (distiller) who is part of a slow growing movement of farmers who have transitioned from the dangerous poppy cultivation to growing agaves and making mezcal instead.
Chacaleño are enormous agaves and their piñas can be as tall as 2 meters. They are cultivated in the steep and verdant lands of the southern Sierra Madre mountains. Don Carlos pit roasts his agaves in a deep earthen oven for just 36 hours with oak and encino wood. He crushes the agaves in a mechanical chipper and ferments the mash with ambient yeasts in earthen pits. He double distills on a copper and stainless steel alembic pot still. Chacaleño has a spiced character with notes of milk chocolate, sweet agave, and a very bright and focused mouthfeel.
About Origen Raiz:
Origen Raiz is a collaboration between the Saravia family from Durango and Asis and Valentin Cortes from Palenque Guardianes del Mezcal in Oaxaca. Asis and his father Valentin helped the Saravia family build a Viñata (the local term for a palenque or distillery) and shared their expertise in distillation and mezcal production with them. Don Valentin continues to assist them with distillation to this day.
The Cortes family has a long history in the Mezcal space in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca and have their own brand, Mezcal Dixeebe, in addition to having previously produced for El Jolgorio and Nuestra Soledad. They are passionate defenders of traditional Mezcal culture and production methods and their palenque is an oasis of quality and integrity amongst the sea of more industrial production which surrounds them in Matatlan. "Don Vale" is one of our favorite Maestros and we have loved nearly every spirit of his that we've been fortunate enough to taste.
The Saravia family are cattle ranchers who focus on sustainable agriculture and regenerative land management on their massive ranch in Durango, Mexico. They decided to start this project when Bildo Saravia fell deeply in love with agave spirits and befriended the Cortes family. They see this project as both a way to make amazing Mezcal and also to protect and revitalize the land. They harvest only 10% of the mature wild agaves on their property each year, leaving the remaining 90% to go to seed. This supports local pollinators like bats and birds and is vital for maintaining the genetic diversity and strength of the agaves.
