Gusto Historico – Victor Ramos – Tequilero – Destilado de Agave (51.1% ABV)

Destilado de Agave produced in Miahuatlán, Oaxaca
Maestro Mezcalero Victor Ramos
Distilled in 2022
Produced from 100% Tequilero, aka Azul (A. tequilana)
Cooked in a conical underground oven
Milled using traditional stone tahona mill
Fermented in open air cypress vats (tinas)
Distilled once using traditional copper pot still with condenser (refrescadera)
Strong minerality, reminiscent of wet slate and broken concrete, seasons welcoming aromatics of sweet potato, caramel, lemon zest, and corn husks before veering distinctly vegetal with notes of grilled carrots & asparagus, dandelion, thistle, clover, and even a pinch of parsley
200 liters produced
51.1% ABV

From one of Oaxaca’s most prolific and iconic maestro mezcaleros, this is arguably the clearest example we’ve seen of a mezcal Agave tequilana that highlights the distinctive profile of the species. A wildly exciting agave spirit, this batch is sure to inspire a deep dive into the history and evolution of both mezcal and tequila! Not to be missed.

GUSTO HISTORICO: Is a new brand excitedly introduced into the USA early 2021, which showcases several old and very well respected Maestros Mezcaleros whose names are well recognized for the quality of their mezcales or in this case “destilados de agave”. Gusto Historico ( or “Historic Taste”) is in fact the new project from Marco Ochoa, co-founder and former owner of Mezcaloteca. The concept behind Gusto Historico is simple: that is to focus on the historic taste and aromas in mezcales based on the communities where they are produced using the traditional distillation techniques of those communities. These destilados will be made in the traditional way, which means that the majority of them will be field blends…with a few exceptions such as, Arroqueno, which for special occasions was done as a single agave production or otherwise simply when it is considered a unique agave by the maestro.

Upon launching, the two main Maestros Mezcaleros for Gusto Historico are Victor Ramos and Emanuel Ramos (father and son) from Mengoli, Miahuatlan. Their destilados will be made in the way that they have always made them – in their copper pot stills with refrescadera (think single distilled with two condensations in a single pass). Gusto Historico will also debut many other prestigious maestros from Miahuatlan (Juan Vázquez, Juan García, Eusebio Santos, etc) and as the brand delevops we will see destilados from other communities like Ejutla (Virgilio Velasco). Where Marco takes this project, given he is one of the true pioneers in sourcing rural and small batch productions from all over, is truly going to be a delicious and explosive spectacle to behold.