Mezonte Raicilla Japo

45.3% ABV

Raicilla from Maestro Hildegardo “Japo” Joya in Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco in the Costa region of Raicilla production. Maestro Japo sadly passed away in 2025 at the age of 92, but he had continued produce regularly until his death, always under the light of the full moon. This is a consistently brilliant and challenging bottle of Raicilla with flavors and aromas of earthy funk, bright acidity, an indescribable fruit character, olive brine and an almost cheesy lactic quality. Pour this into a glencairn or other fluted glass and let it sit, periodically sniffing the spirit and watch as it evolves over the course of a session. 

We fear that this may be one of the final batches of his available in the US, so don't hesitate to grab a bottle from a dearly departed legend of Agave Spirits production. R.I.P. Japo, y gracias por su arte.

About Mezonte (from mezcalreviews.com)

Mezonte is a nonprofit organization that promotes, supports, and preserves the production and practices of traditional agave spirits. Mezonte’s main objective is to create awareness of the cultural and biological value that these spirits represent. They feature agave spirits from all over Mexico, with an emphasis on Jalisco and Michoacán. Their producers make mezcal, raicilla, barranca, tuxca, sikua, or any other name used for distilled agave in this region. When Mezonte buys a batch from a producer, they only buy 60% of the batch because they want the community and the culture of the community to continue to consume and enjoy as they have for hundreds of years.