Mal Bien - Tornillo Mezcal by Felipe & Ageo Cortes

MAL BIEN - Tornillo Mezcal by Felipe & Ageo Cortes

Mengolí de Morelos, Miahuatlán, Oaxaca 0224FC, 46%, 266 bottles, February, 2024

Possibly a sub-varietal of the local tobaxiches (which are themselves just one of the many distinct sub-species of Agave karwinskii found in Miahualtán). Tornillos share the bright green/yellow coloration of Tobaxiches, but distinguish themselves with a slightly more narrow penca, covered in shaper teeth, and a wider variety of sizes as compared to the very large tobaxiches found in the area. Felipe purchased the plants from the neighboring community of Guayabo Tepehuaje.

Felipe and his son Ageo are the 3rd and 4th generations of the Cortes family to produce mezcal in the Miahuatlán district of Oaxaca, an area famous for producing some of the best mezcal in Mexico. They are related to the neighboring Ramos family via Felipe’s wife (Ageo’s Mother).