Arroqueño - San Agustín Amatengo

Batch: LEJ-05

Release date: April 2026

At a glance:

  • Maguey: Arroqueño (Agave Americana, var. Oaxacensis)
  • Producer: Sergio Juárez Patricio
  • Region: San Agustín Amatengo, Ejutla, Oaxaca
  • Cooking: 16 piñas (1,900kg) in classic in-earth horno, 3-day roast
  • Milling: Bull driven tahona
  • Fermentation: 16 days in open air wooden Tina's with well water
  • Distillation: 2-in-1 copper alembic with refrescadera
  • Batch size: 180 litres
  • Date of production: February 2022
  • ABV: 52.1%

Oaxaca’s southern Ejutla district is known for its bold culture – its cuisine, its traditional dance, and its agave spirits. It's not uncommon to find very high proof distillations here.

Having been working with the Ramírez family in this community for some years now, we're very pleased to announce a double release of single agave batches: this Arroqueño (Agave Americana var.Oaxacensis) and batch LEJ-08, a Barril (Agave Karwinski)

The release is accompanied by a blog post on refrescadera style distillation.

Cultivated Agave

Freshly roasted

Luis & Sergio unloading Tobaziche

Here in San Agustín Amatengo, Luis and his family employ a ‘refrescadera’ distillation technique that allows for a 2-in-1 distillation with a single pass of the alembic still.

Read more about this technique in our blog post.

Find more batches from the palenque in the Oaxaca Central Valley section of our mezcal map.

Milling with tahona

Reflux plate of the refrescadera

Installing the refrescadera

16 cultivated maguey Arroqueño (A. Americana var.Oaxacensis) plants were harvested by Sergio in late-January 2022. These huge piñas had a combined weight of 1,900kg.

The piñas were roasted for 3 days in the conical earthen oven, with huamuche and mezqute wood. After crushing by tahona so large it takes two bulls to pull, the agave had an unusually long 16 day fermentation with well water, before being distilled in the quintessential 2-in-1 style.

Cooking

Distilling

After final adjustment with well water, the final batch yield was 180 litres.

Gracias Sergio

House Tasting Notes:

Nose: Soft and creamy with lots of white pepper and notes of boozy apple brandy.

Palate: First attack of bright and vegetal tones, unbetrayed by the nose. It's like someone candied nopales and made a marmalade with lime peel.

Finish: You could believe you're drinking a young whisky.

With time in the glass: Fascinating for the adventurous.

Grab a bottle for your collection while stocks last:

SHOP NOW
Sin Gusano Mezcal Appreciation Society logo black

Become a member and learn more about mezcal

Where your passion for mezcal transforms into a journey of discovery and delight. As a member, you'll gain exclusive access to curated tastings, educational events, and insider knowledge from industry experts.

Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a curious newcomer, our community provides a welcoming space to explore, share, and savour mezcal like never before. Join us and immerse yourself in the art and culture of mezcal, one sip at a time.

BECOME A CONNOISSEUR