Fósforo Tobalá is an unaged, crystal-clear joven mezcal made from 100% Tobalá agave by mezcalero Aarón Alva Sánchez in San Nicolás Huajuapan, Puebla, bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV).
Tobalá is notoriously difficult to cultivate, so Aarón, a fourth-generation master mezcalero, set out to develop a sustainable process for reproducing the finicky agave at scale. Each young plant is placed where it will grow in the best conditions, and with his sons and the local team he grows some of the largest Tobalá agave in Mexico, each taking 8 to 15 years to mature.
The harvested plants are cooked underground for five to eight days, shredded, and naturally fermented for 10 to 14 days in open-air wooden vats. The pulp and liquid are then double-distilled in copper pots.
On the nose come pronounced aromas of ripe fruit, bell pepper, honey, wet stone and smouldering campfire. The palate is lively, with rounded notes of cooked agave, caramelised pineapple and fresh herbs that give way to a subtle, smoky-smooth finish.
A beautifully made wild-style mezcal, it is a fine gift for agave lovers.
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: Ripe fruit, bell pepper, honey, wet stone and campfire.
-
Palate: Cooked agave, caramelised pineapple and fresh herbs.
-
Finish: Subtle and smoky-smooth.
Specifications
-
Producer: Fósforo (mezcalero Aarón Alva Sánchez)
-
Style: Mezcal Artesanal, Joven
-
Agave: 100% Tobalá, 8-15 years
-
Proof / ABV: 90 proof (45% ABV)
-
Region: San Nicolás Huajuapan, Puebla, Mexico
-
Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Sip it neat from a copita with orange slices. It pairs with grilled pineapple, fish tacos or fresh cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is it made?
In San Nicolás Huajuapan, Puebla.
How is it distilled?
Twice, in copper pots.
How long does the Tobalá grow?
Eight to fifteen years.
Explore more in our Tequila collection.
