Cinco Sentidos: Tobalá y Cuixe (Destilado de Agave)
Cinco Sentidos: Tobalá y Cuixe (Destilado de Agave)
Couldn't load pickup availability
Cinco Sentidos: Tobalá y Cuixe (Destilado de Agave)
- Producer: Pedro Pascual Hernandez & Eduardo “Lalo” Barriga
- Location: Santa Catarina Minas, Oaxaca
- Distillation: Double Distilled in Clay Pots (Olla de Barro)
- Batch Date: August 2023
- Resting: 6 Weeks in Glass
This exceptional small-batch ensamble is a masterclass in ancestral technique, born from the collaboration between legendary maker “Tio” Pedro Pascual Hernandez and his nephew, Eduardo “Lalo” Barriga. Crafted at their family palenque, La Esperanza, this spirit represents the soul of Santa Catarina Minas, a region world-renowned for its rare clay-pot distillation.
Unlike modern blends, these agaves were co-roasted, co-fermented, and co-distilled. By processing the wild-harvested Tobalá (A. potatorum) and cultivated Cuixe (A. rhodacantha) together from the very start, the flavors are fused at a molecular level, resulting in a harmony that post-distillation blends simply cannot match.
The Process: Art in Motion
- The Harvest: Wild Tobalá and cultivated Cuixe sourced from the nearby hills of Santo Domingo Jalleza.
- The Roast: Cooked in an earthen pit using guamuche firewood, then rested for eight days to develop deep, caramelized sugars.
- The Milling: Hand-cut with machetes and processed through a mechanical shredder into a rich fermentable mash.
- Fermentation: A two-day dry fermentation in pine tanks followed by a week of wet fermentation using pure well water.
- The Still: Double-distilled in a battery of four clay-pot stills, a labor-intensive process that imparts a signature mineral "earthiness" and creamy mouthfeel.
Tasting Notes
The August 2023 distillation offers a profile that is both rugged and refined, benefiting from a six-week rest in glass demijohns to settle the spirit’s vibrant energy.
- The Nose: Fragrant and complex. The clay pots lend a distinct "rain-on-hot-stone" minerality, backed by the floral sweetness of Tobalá and a hint of the dry, resinous pine from the fermentation vats.
- The Palate: A stunning textural experience. The Cuixe provides a structured, spicy backbone, notes of green peppercorn and cedar, while the Tobalá softens the mid-palate with creamy tropical fruit and a touch of roasted agave nectar.
- The Finish: Clean and focused. Because Lalo proofed this batch using a precise blend of heads, hearts, and tails, the finish carries a long, savory complexity with lingering notes of smoke, cinnamon, and cool earth.
The Spirit of Community:
This bottle is a snapshot of a moment in Minas. From the neighbors who helped machete the agave to Lalo’s careful hand at the stills, this is truly a community-crafted spirit.
Share
Customer Services is our #1 Job
Frequently Asked Questions
Is all your inventory online?
We try to keep the store as updated as possible, but we always get new shipments.
Since beer inventory changes rapidly, please call or email us to confirm the availability of what you're looking for.
If you don't see what you are looking for, send an email, and we'll check to see what Moose is hiding in the back room.
Why is beer available as in-store pick-up only?
Our temperature-controlled storage systems preserve beer's quality and flavor until pickup. By maintaining precise refrigeration, we protect each batch's unique characteristics and ensure customers receive the freshest possible product.
However, due to the challenges of maintaining consistent temperature during shipping, we exclusively offer in-store pickup for our craft beers.
Since beer inventory changes rapidly, please call or email us to confirm the availability of what you're looking for.
What is the difference between Tequila & Mezcal?
Tequila is a type of mezcal, much like how scotch and bourbon are types of whiskey.
Tequila and mezcal are both types of agave-based spirits that are popular in Mexico, but there are some key differences between the two. Tequila is made exclusively from the blue agave plant, which is primarily grown in the area surrounding the city of Tequila, about 40 miles northwest of Guadalajara. Mezcal, on the other hand, can be made from any type of agave plant, and is often made using traditional, labor-intensive methods.
One of the most noticeable differences between tequila and mezcal is their flavor. Tequila is typically smooth and subtle, with hints of fruit and spices, while mezcal has a more complex, smoky flavor that comes from the roasting of the agave hearts before they are fermented and distilled.
Another difference between the two spirits is their production process. Tequila is typically made using modern industrial methods, while mezcal is often produced using traditional techniques that have been passed down for generations. This can give mezcal a more authentic, artisanal character.
In general, tequila is considered to be a more refined and sophisticated spirit, while mezcal is often viewed as a more rustic and traditional drink. Both are popular in Mexico and are enjoyed around the world, so the best way to decide which one you like is to try them both and see which one suits your tastes.
Where do you ship to?
WILL NOT ARRANGE FOR SHIPPING TO THE FOLLOWING STATES: Arkansas (AK), Utah (UT), Mississippi (MS), and any other states or area where such shipments are prohibited by law.
It is important to note that by allowing us or the retailer to arrange the shipping, you are confirming that you are following all applicable laws and regulations in your state, city, and any other relevant jurisdiction related to the purchase, transportation, and delivery of alcoholic beverages, including spirits.
California Proposition 65 Warning
Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects.
For more information go to - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/alcohol.