Clase Azul Guerrero (Papalote-Joven) Mezcal 750ml

Clase Azul México was founded in 1997 in Guadalajara by Arturo Lomelí, who set out to build a spirits brand rooted in Mexican craftsmanship after an earlier tequila venture failed. The company became known for pairing its tequilas and mezcals with hand-painted ceramic decanters produced through Tradición Mazahua, a dedicated workshop in Santa María Canchesdá staffed largely by women artisans. This Guerrero expression carries that same devotion to place, with a decanter topped by hand-lacquered hummingbirds that takes up to ten days to complete, honoring the culture of a region far less traveled by mezcal drinkers than Oaxaca.

The mezcal itself is distilled from Papalote agave, also known as Cupreata or the "peasant's agave," which grows wild in the humid mountain highlands of Guerrero. The plant takes years to reach maturity, and traditional small-batch methods are used to capture its natural complexity, resulting in a joven bottled unaged straight off the still. Guerrero's coastal-adjacent climate and lush forest terrain shape a profile distinct from the drier, higher-altitude agave regions of Oaxaca.

The nose offers grapefruit skin, fresh wood, and rosemary, with hints of butter and daisy flowers. On the palate, freshly cut wood and seaweed meet lemon juice and pepper, finishing with a light touch of tobacco.