Madrecuixe capón | June 2022 | Celedonio Aquino Gutiérrez | MDXCLA2206 | Fall 2023 release | 192 bottles
In the area surrounding San Luis Amatlán, the agave known as Madrecuixe has long been one of the most prized cultivars endemic to the region. These magueyes have a bluish-green colored penca or leaf, and an almost perfectly spherical rosette. In ideal conditions, its trunk- like piña typically can grow up to nearly six feet and weigh close to 200lbs in eight to twelve years. Well adapted to the arid and rocky terrain of eastern Miahuatlán and rich in sugars, these agaves play a quintessential role in local spirits production.
Extremely expressive in aroma and flavor, this 2022 production from don Celedonio is a true representation of the terruño of Logoche and the expertise of the maestro. As tradition dictates, these homegrown agaves were harvested in the days surround the full moon of May 2022. Celedonío selected forty of the ripest two-year capón magueyes from his red and rocky tierra colorada land for this small batch. The practice of cutting the burgeoning flowering stalk, or quiote, six months to a few years prior to harvest is an old technique employed to maximize the concentration of sugars in the heart of the plant and is a hallmark of traditional spirits production. The final composition was adjusted until the appearance of a cordón cerrado at 48%, using a careful mix of heads, hearts, and high-proof tails. 192 bottles are available in the United States though our partners at PM Spirits.
§ Maguey(es): Madrecuixe capón (Agave karwinskii var.)
§ Provenance of the maguey: homegrown
§ Producer: Celedonio Aquino Guitiérrez
§ Region: Logoche, Miahuatlán
§ Soil type: rocky and red tierra colorada
§ Rest time after harvest: 12 days
§ Oven: Conical earthen pit; six days with mesquite
§ Rest time after oven: six days
§ Maceration: Machete and shredder
§ Fermentation: Native yeasts; two 1200L Montezuma cypress sabino wood tank
§ Dry fermentation time: 72 hours
§ Wet fermentation time: 10 days
§ Distillation: 2x in copper pot stills
§ Final composition: Heads, hearts, and tails
§ Batch size: 160L
§ Date of distillation: June 2022
§ ABV: 48%