Erstwhile Arroqueño-Espadín Ensamble is one of Erstwhile's 2021 Ancestral Limited Releases, an ancestral mezcal from Santa María Sola, Oaxaca, bottled at 96 proof (48% ABV) in a 375ml bottle.
This rare batch marks master mezcalero Juan Abel Quiroz Agustín's debut in the United States and international markets, and only 300 liters were made. It blends Arroqueño (Agave americana) and Espadín (Agave angustifolia), produced under NOM-1390.
Ripe agaves are slow roasted for days in an earthen oven, then naturally fermented with wild native yeasts in open sabino (cypress) wood vats. The mezcal is distilled exclusively in Filipino-style stills made with clay pots, the ancestral method that gives it its rare character. Each release captures a single batch from a single maker.
The illustrated label makes it a collectible gift for mezcal enthusiasts.
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.
Specifications
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Brand: Erstwhile Mezcal
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Maestro Mezcalero: Juan Abel Quiroz Agustín
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Agave: Arroqueño and Espadín
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Category: Mezcal ancestral, 2021 limited release
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Process: Earthen oven, sabino vats, clay-pot Filipino-style stills
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Batch: 300 liters
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Proof / ABV: 96 proof (48% ABV)
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Region: Santa María Sola, Oaxaca, Mexico
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Size: 375ml
How to Enjoy It
Sip it neat at room temperature from a copita or veladora, with orange slices on the side. It pairs with mole negro, tlayudas or aged cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much was made?
Only 300 liters.
How is it distilled?
In Filipino-style stills made with clay pots.
Who made it?
Master mezcalero Juan Abel Quiroz Agustín.
Explore more in our Mezcal collection.
