Destilado de Agave, Fieles Difuntos

• Destilado de Agave produced in Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca 
• Maestros Mezcaleros: The Monterrosa Family 
• Distilled from Espadín (Agave angustifolia) 
• Cooked in a conical earthen pit oven 
• Milled using traditional horse-drawn tahona made of pink cantera stone
• Open-air fermented in cypress & pine vats (tinas) using ambient yeast and well water 
• Distilled twice in traditional copper pot stills 
• Addition of marigold flowers and seasonal fruits and spices, in tribute 
• Marigold leads with a whisper of purple flowers behind it, followed by mandarin orange, the aroma of fresh clay, tomatillo, mango peel, glazed carrots and parsnips, canela, coriander, and a hint of clove, cardamom, and mace
• 48% ABV (ABV may vary batch to batch)

This edition of Cuish’s annual offering for Dia de los Muertos, named Fieles Difuntos (Faithful Departed), produced annually at founder Felix Monterrosa’s own family palenque. In the second pass through the still, traditional offerings of the Dia de los Muertos altar—the ofrenda—are added to the mezcal, in much the same style as a pechuga. Marigold is the dominant addition, with seasonal fruits and spices alongside. This year’s edition features a richer profile of warm spices and roots and almost seems comforting on the palate. Although produced in tribute to the deceased, this spirit remains very much alive!