Double Derrumbes: Zacatecas Versus Michoacán Mezcal Artesanal reviews

Last Spring I was really, really impressed with the salmiana-based Derrumbes San Luis Potosi, a very reasonably priced mezcal made in a state, and from an agave, not always known for mezcal (   • Mezcals That Aren't DM Vida: Mal Bien Espa...   ). Impressed enough, in fact, that it scored a spot on my Top Ten from last year (   • The Top Ten Spirits of 2023!   ). So today let's hit a pair of bottles from the rest of the Derrumbes range, continuing the theme of Mexican agave spirits from outside Oaxaca. Stats: Derrumbes Zacatecas Mezcal Artesanal (NOM-F283D; Hacienda de Guadalupe, Mezcalero Jaime Bañuelos; agave tequiliana, wild fermented and distilled in copper/stainless alembic; Lot 10, distilled 3/2021, 1150 bottles; 45% ABV), 84-/100 Derrumbes Michoacán Mezcal Artesanal (NOM-F283D; Tzitzio, Mezcalero Guadelupe Pérez; agaves cupreata and inaequidens, wild fermented and distilled in a wood/copper filipino still; Lot 10, distilled 11/2021. 1450 bottles; 47.7% ABV), 88/100 What I somehow didn't realize until I looked it up is that the tequiliana-based Zacatecas here is from the same distiller who made the Hacienda de Bañuelos Masparillo I tasted in that same video. I actually like this one more, but the style is consistent (i.e., super delicious if a bit simple). It's a bit pricey and it doesn't swim especially well, but otherwise it's delightful. The Michoacán is a different beast entirely, though, a complex, layered, austere thing dominated by citrus and lactic sours on the nose which then somehow develops mint chocolate ice cream and flowers on the palate. Just terrific. I don't like it all that much more than the San Luis Potosi - making that bottle a better value in the absolute - but it's definitely worth a recommendation on its own terms. More agave reviews soon! Basically whenever I can get over my fears of inadequacy. Extra special thanks to my Different Spirits on Patreon (  / differentspirits  ) - Eric Amig Jamie Brown Kingsbury bushcraft Rob D Liam Davitt Joe Devine Stephen Eckert Steve Frazee Ian Gendler John Halliday Jason Newquist Kyaru No Thanks Matthew Ruiz RumSquirrel Dallas Shatel Chris Sherman Gordon W Zach W