Palenqueros (Baltazar Cruz) Sierra Negra Mezcal 750ml

Palenqueros is a project founded by La Maison & Velier's Luca Gargano, showcasing single-palenque mezcals made by individual mezcaleros across the state of Oaxaca. This Sierra Negra expression comes from Baltazar Cruz, a first-generation palenquero known for his entrepreneurial approach, who works out of San Luis del Rio, Tlacolula, at nearly 3,100 feet above sea level, a region prized for soil well suited to a wide range of agave varieties.

This mezcal is made from wild-harvested Sierra Negra agave, cooked whole in a sixteen-ton conical earthen pit before being crushed with a mule-drawn tahona. The crushed agave ferments for four to five days in open pine wood vats using only ambient yeast native to the palenque, then goes through distillation in a classic 300-liter copper still. The batch is bottled at full proof, a choice meant to preserve the raw character of the agave and the distillery's historic methods.

Spicy nuances of black pepper and nutmeg lead the way, paired with a distinct mineral salinity that reflects the region's terroir. The mid-palate turns creamy, with a lime-tart quality and soft vanilla underneath, while the finish closes on a refreshing mint note. This mezcal rewards slow sipping neat, and its spice and salinity make it a natural match for grilled meats or dark chocolate.