Sanzekan Papalote Bastian

45% ABV 

Sanzekan is a cooperative of Mezcaleros from the state of Guerrero, Mexico. The group is a true cooperative: every member shares an equal vote in the group’s affairs and earns a fair wage based on the collective sales of its spirits. Honoring the co-op members, each batch of Sanzekan will detail the name of the maestro mezcalero (and a printing of their signature) on the label, as well as the harvest date and location of distillation. This model is more sustainable for the producers, and for the land, as there isn't constant pressure on a single farmer or producer to extract resources.

This batch of Papalote (Agave Cupreata) was made by Maestra Guadalupe Bastian in the village of Tecoanapa, Guerrero. Her father is one of the most prolific producers for the co-op. The fully mature agaves were cooked in an earthen oven and crushed with a mechanical shredder. It was fermented with spring water and ambient yeasts in an Ayacahuite vat and the mash was double distilled in copper pots. It was adjusted with heads and tails of the distillation to make a lot of 140 liters. It is dry and earthy with notes of hay, mango skin, lemon rind, cucumber and a whisper of smoke. On the palate there is more earth with some leathery notes and tropical fruit on the finish.