Rey Campero Espadín is a joven mezcal made by maestro mezcalero Rómulo Sánchez Parada in Candelaria Yegolé, in the southern highlands of Oaxaca, from Espadín agave fermented in open air with wild yeasts and bottled at 96 proof (48% ABV).
Rey Campero means "King of the Countryside". Rómulo learned to make mezcal from his father and grandfather, but the family history goes back to his great-grandmother, Clara Manzano Ríos, who built the family's palenque in 1870 with her husband Nicolás Sánchez, the first palenque in Candelaria Yegolé. The tiny village of about 150 people is home to two celebrated mezcal brands. Rómulo founded Rey Campero in 2012, and the brand works to support local maguey producers by creating jobs and finding markets for the best mezcal.
Espadín is the most widely used maguey in Oaxaca and has the widest geographic presence of any agave in Mexico; it reaches about 1.5 metres across and a metre tall, and takes seven to ten years to mature. In Rómulo's hands it makes a classic, expressive mezcal at full strength.
A benchmark from a family palenque, it makes a fine gift for mezcal 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.
Specifications
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Producer: Rey Campero (Rómulo Sánchez Parada)
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Style: Mezcal Artesanal, Joven
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Agave: Espadín, 7-10 years
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Proof / ABV: 96 proof (48% ABV)
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Region: Candelaria Yegolé, Oaxaca, Mexico
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Sip it neat from a copita with orange slices. It pairs with mole, grilled meats or fresh cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Rey Campero mean?
King of the Countryside.
Who makes it?
Maestro mezcalero Rómulo Sánchez Parada.
When was the family palenque built?
In 1870, by his great-grandmother Clara Manzano Ríos.
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