Montelobos Mezcal Review

Last Updated on: 24th January 2024, 01:51 pm

J Highland

J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as an agave spirits distiller.

Explore Montelobos Mezcal, a popular Mexican brand, with easy-to-understand reviews, tasting notes, and tips for enjoying this unique and flavorful drink.

Written by: J Highland

Is Montelobos a good Mezcal?

“Montelobos stands out as a fine Mezcal and reasonably priced option available, making it an obvious choice. Perhaps not the most nuanced or complex Mezcal but a great starting point for anyone interested in exploring Mezcal. It is attractively priced, with no off-flavors, while providing great value for the money.”, mentions Mezcal expert Neil Coleman.

Montelobos stands out for its creation by Ivan Saldaña, a knowledgeable biologist, and Don Abel, an experienced distiller.

This brand is dedicated to crafting mezcal using 100% organically certified agave espadin, demonstrating a strong commitment to the preservation of agave plants.

Related: Mexico’s Top-Selling Mezcals

Montelobos Mezcal Rankings

Montelobos has 4 offerings: Espadin, Ensamble, Tobala, and Pechuga.

Montelobos Espadin

Montelobos Espadin is an affordable, certified organic mezcal crafted with sustainably grown agaves.

The traditional process includes stone-pit oven cooking, mule-powered milling, and wild fermentation in pine wood vats.

The resulting spirit balances green agave, cooked agave, smoke, and wild fermentation flavors.

Montelobos offers classic espadin mezcal notes with light smoke and a clean aroma.

It’s slightly creamy on the finish, making it an excellent choice for those new to agave spirits.

Enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails like a Mexican Martini.

Related: The 7 Best Affordable Mezcals

Montelobos Ensamble

An ensamble mezcal is created by distilling two or more agaves together in the same batch, where the hearts are cooked and fermented collectively.

Montelobos Ensamble blends cupreata, espadin, and tobala agaves, each offering distinct profiles that contribute to the intriguing character of this mezcal.

With the floral notes of tobala, the anise-like qualities of cupreata, and the salinity of espadin, Montelobos Ensamble provides a mellow experience.

It is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, as the floral agave notes may be overshadowed in mixed drinks.

Montelobos Tobala

Tobala mezcal is crafted using the agave Potatorum, a small maguey plant that takes up to 15 years to mature in the wild.

With its compact size, measuring just one-eighth of an espadin, Tobala offers unique qualities.

Its aroma is characterized by hints of lemon, green pepper, and pear.

The palate reveals a rich combination of citrus, fig, nuts, and truffle.

This tobala mezcal is a solid and affordably priced option to savor neat.

Montelobos Pechuga

Pechuga mezcal is created by suspending a chicken, turkey, or quail breast above the boiling still.

The steam infuses the flavorful juices into the mezcal.

Montelobos Pechuga, specifically, incorporates turkey breast, seasonal fruits, and spices during the third distillation.

This unique process results in an extraordinary flavor profile reminiscent of fruity chicken broth.

It is highly recommended to experience this distinct and exceptional mezcal at least once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pricing Guide

Espadin: Approximately $43
Tobala: Around $99

Where to Buy?

United States: Available on Drizly.
Canada: Sold at BC Liquor stores.
Mexico: Can be purchased on Amazon.

How to Drink?

Espadin: Ideal in cocktails.
Ensamble: Enjoyable neat or on the rocks.
Tobala: Best savored neat.
Pechuga: Recommended to be consumed neat.

How Can Montelobos Enhance Cocktails?

Swapping tequila with Montelobos mezcal in classic cocktails like Margaritas, Palomas, and Mexican Mules adds a smoky and rich flavor dimension.
Montelobos particularly enhances the taste of a margarita.

What Does “Montelobos” Mean?

“Montelobos” translates to “Mountain of Wolves” in English.
The brand has a partnership with the Wolf Conservation Centre for wildlife preservation.

Ownership

Montelobos was sold by Ivan Saldaña in 2018 to Campari for $34 million.
Campari Group also owns other liquor brands like Espolon Tequila and Wild Turkey.