Creative explorer and co-founder Tony Farfalla didn’t set out to create a mezcal brand. He was documenting shamanism in eastern Mexico when the ancient transcendental spirit of the Oaxacan desert found him. Farfalla teamed up with three other creatives, and after three years of returning to Oaxaca, and working closely with the Garcia Morales family to create a new mezcal in the Zapotec tradition, Mezcal Madre was born. Each 12oz, 5% ABV can features Madre Espadin mezcal, sparkling water, real fruit, plants, and herbs with no artificial flavors or colors, and includes ingredients known for having functional properties like adaptogenic mushrooms, anti-inflammatory herbs, and anti-fungal cacti. Madre Desert Water is available in four flavors including: Its palate delights with an amazing medley of sage, minerals, and a lingering floral aftertaste. Given the 45% ABV, I like its smoothness. This is a must-try if you want greater depth in your mezcal.

Grapefruit and Yerba Santa: Marrying grapefruit, wild Yerba Santa from northern Mexico and mezcal for an herbal flavor with notes of pepper, anise, and eucalyptus. Madre Mezcal is not just a drink, but an experience. It transports the drinker to the sun-soaked fields of Oaxaca, where agave has been cultivated and transformed into the smoky elixir of mezcal for centuries. For those looking to delve deep into the world of mezcal, Madre serves as a rich reminder of the rich traditions and artistry that go into every bottle. Soon, on a trip to Oaxaca, the pair met the Garcia Morales family, which has been tending to the agave plants of San Dionisio, Oaxaca and supplying mezcal to their local community for generations. As Wigand explained in an interview with Flaviar, “We didn’t go down there thinking that this was going to be a business. This was something that just really slapped us in the face in a really beautiful way.” The group later partnered together in an effort to bring Madre Mezcal to the rest of the world. “We were able to grow with them, and they grew with us,” said Farfalla. While the brand launched in 2016, Madre Mezcal has been made for generations.Like in every Madre mezcal review, this expression is worth exploring, especially if you’re seeking a flavorful and enjoyable mezcal experience. Madre Mezcal stands out due to its unique blend of agaves: Espadín and Cuishe. Espadín, the most commonly used agave in mezcal production, provides a familiar smoky foundation, while the wild Cuishe, native to Oaxaca, lends a complex herbal profile to the mix. This combination results in a distinctively smooth and nuanced drink, setting it apart from other mezcals. The insights I’ve gained aren’t just from books or hearsay; they are the result of hands-on experience, countless tastings, and an enduring passion for these spirits. Despite the comparisons regularly thrown its way, mezcal occupies a unique place among the world’s many distilled spirits.

On the palate, it offers a delightful combination of sage, minerals, and a lingering floral finish, creating a more intricate and satisfying flavor profile. On tasting Madre Mezcal, one is first greeted with the smoky notes characteristic of mezcals. This smokiness soon gives way to the herbaceous and earthy tones of the Cuishe agave. Subtle hints of pepper and the lingering sweetness from the Espadín agave round out the experience. The interplay of these flavours results in a balanced and layered drink that is both refreshing and intricate. I find it better than Dos Hombres, which is priced significantly higher while offering a similar flavor profile. This brand is a classic blend of Mexico, especially the Espadin (that initially captivated my love for mezcal, albeit with a subtle touch of edginess). It depends on the bottle. Most mezcals and tequilas will be within the 36–55 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) range. And while you can find bottles of each spirit at both ends of the range, you’ll more often find tequilas at 40 percent ABV and mezcals a little higher. Can you drink mezcal straight?

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Madre mezcal’s expressions provide diverse profiles, catering to both beginners and seasoned mezcal lovers. In the spirits world, the words “handmade” or “handcrafted” can serve as smooth marketing terms laid out to captivate buyers. This is not the case with Madre Mezcal. Each bottle of Madre is made using Espadin and Cuishe agaves planted, cut, and blessed by the Garcia Morales family. After the blessing, the agave is cooked in an earth-sunken pit and fermented with wild yeast. The distillation process is overseen by a number of Garcia Morales uncles and cousins. Madre Mezcal is steadfast in its support of immigrant communities.

This artisanal spirit is produced just outside San Dionisio in Oaxaca, led by Jose Garcia Morales and his family who plant agave, harvest these, and use traditional Zapotec methods to create Mezcal Madre. This involves cooking the agave over hot stones in earthen pits, crushing with a stone wheel, fermenting in open-air wood containers with wild yeast and distilling with wood fires. My journey has seen me as an owner of sophisticated bars and renowned liquor shops, and even as a Mezcal distiller, honing the craft from scratch. Madre Mezcal's branding and bottle design is a nod to its artisanal roots. The minimalist label, earthy tones, and organic aesthetics speak to the brand's commitment to authenticity and tradition. Las Pozas” was built by English artist Edwards James between 1949 and 1984 and is near the village of Xilitla, San Luis Potosí, a seven-hour drive north of Mexico City. This garden of otherworldly delights towers 2,000ft above sea level and resembles an ethereal, Escher-worthy collection of arches, pathways, and waterfalls surrounded by dense, ever-encroaching jungle. It’s weird and transportative, ancient, yet modern.

Supporting communities and those in need is a foundation of Madre’s ethos. Working with a network of small producers in the region, and helping to support local Oaxacan communities, Madre has developed a more sustainable approach to mezcal production. Madre actively plants agave in Oaxaca and develops social and environmental programmes too. Madre is dedicated to creating positive, sustainable change in the local Oaxaca community. As such, a portion of Madre’s proceeds is invested into local non-profits Consorcio, Sikanda, and Guirra. All three are female-run and work to provide resources, education, and empowerment for women and underserved children in Oaxaca. It’s a ‘gateway mezcal.’ The traditional production process involves roasting the agaves in an underground pit and fermenting them with natural yeasts and well water. Traditional production methods are employed to make Madre Mezcal. The agave hearts, or piñas, are roasted in earthen pits, lending the mezcal its characteristic smokiness. Following this, the piñas are crushed, usually by a tahona (a large stone wheel), and then left to ferment naturally in wooden vats. After fermentation, the liquid is distilled, typically in copper or clay pots. Original: A straightforward combination of mezcal, sparkling water and a mild citrus twist for a subtly smoky yet refreshing sip.

The flavor mirrored the aroma, showcasing vibrant and earthy citrus, soapstone, and sweet grass notes. This Ensamble had a pronounced smokiness attributed to the Espadin, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I’m J Highland, and for over 30 years, I’ve been deeply immersed in the captivating world of Tequila, Mezcal, and other agave spirits. Madre Mezcal Ensamble reveals a harmonious fusion of sweet smoke hint and earthy herbal scents enhanced by delicate mineral undertones. Mezcal is a very particular spirit, and for some, it can be an acquired taste. For those who find the beverage to be a bit too smoky, Madre might be the perfect solution. Jokingly referred to as a “gateway mezcal” by Wigand and Farfalla, each blend is blended with the intention of alleviating some of the smokiness so that the spirit is more approachable to drinkers less familiar with mezcal. As explained by Wigand, “When you get into these wild agaves, you’ll find so many other flavors to mezcal, and Madre is such a great entry point for that.” Madre’s all about the rule of threes. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or just dipping your toes into this world, I invite you to join me as we explore the fascinating realm of these legendary spirits.Madre mezcal is an artisanal mezcal produced from a blend of Espadin and Cuishe. The agaves are roasted within an earthen pit, fermented using local well water, and distilled with wild yeast in a revered copper still. Smoothness is a very subjective quality in spirits. While a certain expression of mezcal might be smooth to you, it might not be to another drinker. Similarly, you might not find a certain tequila smooth while someone else might. Which is to say that it depends: on the quality of the spirit, the distillation process, and your own personal perception. But as far as categories go, between mezcal and tequila, we wouldn’t say one is smoother than the other. Does mezcal give you a hangover?