Barril (Prima Vera) - Chichicapam

Batch: FH-07

Release date: August 2025

At a glance:

  • Maguey: Barril (A. Karwinksi)
  • Producer: Fortunato Hernandez & Family
  • Region: San Balthazar Chichicapam, Ocotlán, Oaxacan Central Valleys
  • Cooking: 4 days in un-lined earthen pit with mesquite wood
  • Milling: Machete & horse-frawn tahona
  • Fermentation: 4 days in open-air wooden tina with well water
  • Distillation: Double pass in copper alembic
  • Batch size: 120 litres
  • Date of production: February 2024
  • ABV: 46.4%

We met Fortunato during our first ever trip to his community, San Balthazar Chichicapam, back in 2016. We didn’t know at the time how lucky we were.

In the years since, not only has it been a great pleasure to return many times to visit the welcoming family, but his bottles have become crowd favourites every time we show them at a tasting.

Indeed a previous 100% Barril release (FH-02) back in February 2022 sticks in the mind as one of our most popular ever bottlings.

Fortunato showing us a roasted agave Barril

This batch is being released as a special to MAS members alongside FH-07. They are both 100% Barril (Agave Karwinski) from the family). The only significant difference is that one was made in the dry season, and one in the wet season.

This is the wet season (Verano / Summer) batch.

The main differences between the seasons and consequential effect on the batch would be the water content of the agaves, and the ambient temperature/environment during open-air fermentation. In summary, it’s hotter and wetter during the summer months.

First roast at the new palenque

Fortunato’s mezcales are produced in the traditional style of the community: Agaves are roasted in an un-lined earthen pit filled with local wood including mesquite…

…the roasted maguey are then chopped to size by machete before being milled with horse drawn tahona; the mash is fermented with well water before ultimately being double distilled in coper alembique stills.

Various maguey waiting to roast

It’s a true family business, with Fortunato’s wife Victoria often involved with production, and son-in-law Pedro taking an increasingly significant role. His daughter Estela manages sales from the bodega, and even her young daughters get involved while not at school.

World map with pins of visitor home countries in the bodega, and Estela in the bodega.

Gracias Fortunato & Family

House Tasting Notes:

Nose: A clear Karwinski grassy green vibe on first nose, with high-ester acidic fruit tones like apples and pears. With a little aeration the aroma moves through earthy tobacco to dry market chiles and spices.

Palate: Sweet on first sip, with a peppery mid-palate and a waxy mouth feel.

Finish: Long and round. The ester-heavy nose has mellowed into the peppery sweet spices and melded into one of Fortunato’s magic crowd pleasing winners.

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