Erstwhile Tepeztate 2021 Ancestral Limited Edition is a mezcal made from wild Tepeztate agave by Silverio García Luis using a forgotten family distilling method, bottled at 96 proof (48% ABV) in a 375ml half bottle.
This batch is a legacy of the era when mezcal production was illegal in Oaxaca. It revives a García family tradition that had been forgotten for more than forty years: Silverio's father, Don Lencho, used a hollowed-out quiote, the flowering stalk of the agave, instead of a copper turbante on his still, so he could evade the soldiers who came to seize distillation equipment by force.
Made in Rancho Blanco Güilá, Oaxaca, and available in the United States for the first time through Erstwhile, the 2021 Ancestral release lets you taste that rescued tradition. Tepeztate is a wild agave that can take decades to mature, and it is prized for its intense, green, herbal and peppery character.
A rare, limited release, it is a remarkable gift for mezcal collectors.
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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Mezcalero: Silverio García Luis
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Style: Mezcal ancestral, 2021 limited edition
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Agave: Wild Tepeztate
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Still: Traditional, with a hollowed quiote in place of a copper turbante
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Proof / ABV: 96 proof (48% ABV)
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Region: Rancho Blanco Güilá, Oaxaca, Mexico
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Size: 375ml
How to Enjoy It
Sip it slowly, neat, from a copita. It pairs with grilled meats, roasted chiles or dark chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes it ancestral?
It revives a García family method using a hollowed agave stalk on the still.
Who made it?
Mezcalero Silverio García Luis in Rancho Blanco Güilá, Oaxaca.
What size is it?
A 375ml half bottle.
Explore more in our Tequila collection.
