Rezpiral Series 9 Reina Sánchez - Tepextate Agave Spirit 750ML

Rezpiral Series 9: Reina Sánchez - Tepextate Agave Spirit This stunning release from Rezpiral Series 9 highlights the exceptional artistry of Maestra Mezcalera Reina Sánchez, distilling in San Baltazar Chichicapam, Oaxaca. Reina’s sharp instinct and careful technique are on full display with this expression, which features one of the most revered and patient agaves in the entire spirit world: Tepextate (Agave marmorata). Wild Tepextate agaves are legendary for growing almost exclusively on near-vertical, jagged limestone cliffs in the high-altitude Oaxacan mountains. Because of these harsh conditions and their slow metabolism, the plants can take anywhere from 25 to 35 years to reach maturity. This extreme patience results in an agave with a highly concentrated, singular chemical makeup. Reina honors this precious harvest by following strict ancestral guidelines: roasting the piñas in a conical earthen pit, fermenting the mash naturally with wild, ambient yeasts in open wooden vats, and double-distilling in a traditional copper alembic still. The final spirit is a brilliant liquid time capsule, capturing three decades of wild mountain terroir. Tasting Notes Nose: Intensely aromatic, floral, and deeply complex. It bursts forward with Tepextate's signature top notes of green jalapeño, bright lemongrass, and wet marigolds. Beneath the flora lies a deep, grounding foundation of slate, damp stone, and a clean, gentle woodsmoke. Palate: Silk-smooth yet bright and electric. The palate is treated to an extraordinary balance of sweet and savory: crisp green bell pepper, white pepper, and fresh culinary herbs (like parsley and mint) blend effortlessly with sweet notes of candied grapefruit peel and honeyed cooked agave. A distinct, chalky minerality provides an elegant backbone. Finish: Exceedingly long, clean, and dry. The green vegetative brightness slowly transitions into a soft, warming whisper of cinnamon, anise, and a lingering, flinty river stone finish that echoes on the palate for minutes. The Rezpiral Ethos: Rezpiral operates as an independent bottling project and a proactive social enterprise. By ensuring fair-trade commerce and routing project earnings directly into community-managed agave nursery initiatives, Rezpiral works closely with independent maestros like Reina Sánchez to sustain their artistic autonomy, protect biodiversity, and secure the ecological future of Oaxacan spirits.