Neta Tepextate Agave Spirit Tomas Garcia Cruz

Neta Tepextate Agave Spirit Tomas Garcia Cruz  750ml

Wild, complex, and profoundly expressive of Oaxaca’s rugged terroir, NETA Tepextate Agave Spirit by Tomás García Cruz is a highly sought-after small-batch distillate crafted from mature wild Tepextate agave. Produced in the village of Logoche, Miahuatlán, Oaxaca, this artisanal agave spirit delivers remarkable layers of minerality, herbs, citrus, earth, and refined smoke while preserving the traditional methods and regional identity that define the NETA project.

Process & Profile

This expression is produced by maestro mezcalero Don Tomás García Cruz alongside his sons in Logoche, a village renowned for preserving deeply traditional distillation practices. The Tepextate agaves used for this spirit are wild Agave marmorata plants harvested from steep rocky terrain after years of maturation in the Oaxacan highlands.

After harvest, the agaves are roasted underground using wood-fired earthen ovens, crushed traditionally, naturally fermented with ambient yeasts, and double distilled in small copper stills. NETA releases are bottled at still strength with minimal intervention, allowing each batch to transparently reflect the producer, harvest conditions, and terroir of the specific production lot.

Appearance

Crystal clear with brilliant clarity and oily legs that hint at its rich texture and full-strength artisanal character.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Intense herbal aromatics layered with wet stone, citrus peel, fresh earth, green pepper, wildflowers, and elegant smoke. Community reviewers frequently describe bubblegum, sandalwood, lime zest, and mineral-driven complexity in NETA Tepextate batches.

Palate: Rich and structured with flavors of roasted agave, black pepper, herbs, tropical citrus, saline minerality, earthy spice, and integrated smoke.

Finish: Long, dry, and evolving with lingering minerality, pepper spice, smoke, and savory vegetal depth.

What Makes It Special

NETA is widely regarded among mezcal enthusiasts as one of the most terroir-focused and transparent agave spirit projects in Oaxaca. Rather than blending for consistency, each release highlights a specific batch, producer, and agave harvest, making every bottling unique and highly collectible.

Tomás García Cruz is especially respected for producing some of the most compelling and experimental distillates within the NETA portfolio. Enthusiasts on Reddit frequently praise his spirits for their purity, texture, and extraordinary complexity.

Tepextate itself is one of the most prized wild agaves in mezcal production due to its difficult harvesting conditions, low yields, and highly expressive flavor profile.

How to Enjoy

Best enjoyed neat in a copita or veladora glass to fully appreciate its layered aromatics and evolving mineral complexity. Allow the spirit several minutes to open in the glass before tasting. Pair with citrus, roasted nuts, dark chocolate, or traditional Oaxacan cuisine for a more immersive tasting experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of agave is used?
Wild Tepextate (Agave marmorata).

Who produces this spirit?
Maestro mezcalero Tomás García Cruz and his family in Logoche, Oaxaca.

Is each batch the same?
No. NETA releases are intentionally batch-specific and reflect differences in harvest, terroir, and production conditions.

What is the bottle size?
750ml.

Brand Story

NETA Spirits was founded to preserve and document the traditional distillation culture of rural Oaxaca through transparent, producer-focused releases that highlight individual mezcaleros, agave varieties, and terroirs. Rather than operating as a conventional commercial brand, NETA functions as a collaborative platform that allows master producers like Tomás García Cruz to bottle authentic small-batch distillates with minimal intervention and complete traceability. The result is one of the most respected and collectible portfolios in modern agave spirits.