Mezcal Union El Viejo Mezcal 750ml
Mezcal Unión was founded on the idea that Oaxacan producers could accomplish more by working together than any single palenque could alone, a philosophy summed up in the brand's guiding phrase that unity carries a community further than going it alone. El Viejo takes its name, meaning "the old man," from an elder in Oaxaca whose words about the future of mezcal inspired the founders to build a cooperative model rather than a single-source brand. Mezcal Unión partners with maestros mezcaleros and agave farmers across several Oaxacan villages, helping them operate as entrepreneurs in their own right while supporting reforestation programs that replant multiple agaves for every one harvested.
El Viejo is crafted from a blend of farm-grown Espadín and wild Tobalá agave, both matured well beyond typical harvest age, with plants ranging from roughly eight to fourteen years old. This combination pairs the reliability of cultivated agave with the concentrated character of a slower-growing wild variety, following traditional Oaxacan roasting, fermentation, and copper pot distillation methods practiced across the collective's partner palenques. The result is bottled unaged, allowing the raw character of both agaves to remain front and center.
The nose offers butter, mint, and cinnamon with subtle hints of mango and herbs, while the palate brings mesquite wood and mineral notes alongside a gentle smokiness. The finish is smooth and lingering, closing with a touch of warmth and sweetness that lasts well after the last sip.