Mezonte Sur de Jalisco Agave Spirit Santos Juarez – 45.2% ABV | 750ml

Mezonte Sur de Jalisco Santos Juarez is a traditional agave spirit produced by maestro mezcalero Santos Juárez in Tolimán, Jalisco. Made in the mineral-rich landscape of southern Jalisco, this spirit reflects the local agave varieties, volcanic terrain, spring water, and traditional production techniques that define Santos Juárez's work.

Santos Juárez is a traditional farmer who cultivates agave alongside corn, beans, squash, and a wide variety of tropical fruits. His agave spirits are produced on a very small scale using underground stone ovens, hand milling, natural fermentation in black volcanic stone, and a traditional Filipino-style still. This bottle is presented at 45.2% ABV.

Key Details

Spirit Type: Traditional Agave Spirit / Destilado de Agave

Producer: Santos Juárez

Brand: Mezonte

Origin: Tolimán, Jalisco, Mexico

Region: Southern Jalisco

Agave: Alineño and Cimarrón

Botanical Classification: Agave angustifolia

Alcohol Content: 45.2% ABV

Bottle Size: 750ml

Production Style: Traditional, small-batch agave distillation

Oven: Conical underground stone-and-earth oven

Wood: Mesquite

Fermentation: Natural fermentation in underground black volcanic-stone vats

Distillation: Filipino-style still with copper and hollowed parota wood

Process & Production

Santos Juárez works with several traditional agave varieties grown in Tolimán, including Alineño and Cimarrón. His land sits near the Tuxcacuesco River, the Neovolcanic Axis, and the Sierra de Manantlán, an environment surrounded by agave, pitaya, mango, pomegranate, papaya, mamey, and other plants and fruit trees.

The agave is roasted for approximately three to four days in a conical underground oven made from earth and stone, using mesquite wood. The oven is traditionally covered with banana leaves or corn stalks during cooking.

After cooking, the agave is crushed by hand with wooden or metal mallets directly over a stone floor. Fermentation takes place naturally in underground vats made from compacted earth and black volcanic stone. Spring water is used, and the fermentation proceeds naturally with wild and endemic yeasts rather than commercial accelerators.

The fermented juice and cooked agave fibers are then distilled in a traditional Filipino-style still featuring internal condensation, a copper vessel, and a hollowed parota-wood montera. Santos adjusts the final alcoholic strength using traditional distillation cuts.

Appearance

Clear and transparent in the glass, allowing the natural character of the traditionally produced agave spirit to show without the influence of barrel aging.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Mineral-rich and earthy, with roasted agave, fresh vegetal notes, and subtle citrus-like aromas.

Palate: Savory and mineral-driven with cooked agave, earthy tones, fresh herbs, and a gentle peppery character. The fermentation in volcanic stone contributes an additional mineral dimension.

Finish: Long, fresh, and warming, with lingering mineral, herbal, and roasted-agave notes.

Mezonte's Santos Juárez expression has been described as having a particularly mineral character from its stone fermentation, while other tasting references note grapefruit-peel and subtle pepper notes.

What Makes It Special

• Produced by Maestro Mezcalero Santos Juárez in Tolimán, Jalisco.

• Made with traditional local agave varieties including Alineño and Cimarrón.

• Agave is roasted underground using mesquite wood.

• The cooked agave is crushed manually using traditional tools.

• Natural fermentation takes place in black volcanic-stone vats.

• Uses spring water for fermentation.

• Distilled in a traditional Filipino-style copper and parota-wood still.

• Reflects the mineral-rich terroir of southern Jalisco.

• Bottled at 45.2% ABV.

How to Enjoy

Mezonte Sur de Jalisco Santos Juarez is best enjoyed neat in a copita or small tasting glass, allowing the mineral, earthy, and roasted-agave characteristics to develop naturally.

It can also be served with a small amount of water to open the aromas. For cocktails, its savory and mineral profile can add depth to agave-forward drinks, particularly those featuring fresh citrus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who produces Mezonte Sur de Jalisco Santos Juarez?
This agave spirit is produced by Santos Juárez, a traditional agave producer and farmer from Tolimán, Jalisco.

What agave varieties are used?
The Santos Juárez expression is associated with Alineño and Cimarrón, both classified under Agave angustifolia.

Where is it produced?
It is produced in Tolimán, Jalisco, Mexico, in the southern Jalisco region.

How is the agave cooked?
The agave is roasted for approximately three to four days in a conical underground oven made from earth and stone, using mesquite wood.

How is the spirit fermented?
Fermentation occurs naturally in underground black volcanic-stone vats using spring water and naturally occurring yeasts.

How is it distilled?
Santos Juárez uses a traditional Filipino-style still with a copper vessel and hollowed parota wood.

What is the alcohol content?
This bottle is 45.2% ABV.

Is it aged?
The spirit is not barrel-aged. Traditional versions are allowed to mature in glass while preserving the natural flavors of the agave.

Brand Story

Mezonte is dedicated to supporting and promoting traditional agave spirits and the producers who preserve these practices throughout Mexico. The organization works with producers across the country, with a particular focus on Jalisco and Michoacán.

Santos Juárez is one of Mezonte's heritage producers. His agricultural way of life is closely connected to his spirits: alongside numerous agave varieties, he grows corn, beans, squash, and tropical fruits and keeps bees. His land's location near the Tuxcacuesco River, the Neovolcanic Axis, and the Sierra de Manantlán provides a distinctive natural environment for his agaves.

His production methods remain deeply traditional, from underground roasting and hand milling to fermentation in black volcanic stone and distillation in a handcrafted Filipino-style still. The result is an agave spirit that expresses both the traditional techniques of Santos Juárez and the mineral character of southern Jalisco.