De Matachines Ahualulco is a small-batch agave spirit from Ahualulco in the high desert of San Luis Potosí, made from Agave salmiana subsp. crassispina and bottled at 49% ABV (98 proof). A recent batch numbered just 351 bottles.
San Luis Potosí has its own mezcal tradition, quite different from Oaxaca's. The large salmiana agaves are roasted in a brick oven with direct fire, then crushed with a tahona, a heavy stone wheel, before fermentation and distillation. The result has remarkably little smoke compared with Oaxacan mezcals, letting the green, savoury character of the agave lead.
Tasters describe dried herbs, roasted corn, black pepper and bitter cocoa on the nose, a profile typical of salmiana from the Potosí plateau.
With so few bottles made, it is a treat for agave explorers looking beyond Oaxaca.
Mezcal is made by roasting agave hearts, traditionally in earthen pits, then crushing, fermenting and distilling them, a process that gives the spirit its characteristic smoky depth. Each agave variety and each village brings its own character, which is why enthusiasts love exploring small-batch bottlings.
Mezcal and other agave spirits are traditionally sipped from a copita or a small clay cup, in small sips, often alongside orange slices dusted with sal de gusano. Many are made in tiny batches by individual families, so each bottle is a snapshot of a particular place, agave and season.
Tasting Notes
-
Nose: Dried herbs, roasted corn, black pepper and bitter cocoa.
-
Palate: Green, savoury agave with very little smoke.
Specifications
-
Brand: De Matachines
-
Style: Agave spirit / mezcal, small batch
-
Agave: Agave salmiana subsp. crassispina
-
Process: Brick oven with direct fire, tahona milling
-
Proof / ABV: 98 proof (49% ABV)
-
Region: Ahualulco, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
-
Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Sip it neat from a copita at room temperature to enjoy its herbal, peppery character. It pairs well with grilled vegetables, tacos al pastor or dark chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is De Matachines Ahualulco made?
In Ahualulco, San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
What agave is it made from?
Agave salmiana subsp. crassispina.
Is it smoky?
Very little: it is roasted in a brick oven rather than an earthen pit, so herbs and pepper lead.
Explore more in our Mezcal collection.
