Tepextate, Jabalín, Bicuixe | February 2025 | Simitrio Aquino García | ENNSAG2502 | Fall 2025 release | 48 bottles | NASA Liquors

The stretch of land in Logoche known as Piedra Lisa is shared by several families, all of whom harvest only small quantities of wild maguey from its steep hills and ravines each year. The terrain is extremely difficult to navigate, and there is a shared awareness of the need to preserve the ecosystem and protect its diverse plant and animal life. Just before the full moon of January 2025, Simitrio set out to gather a mix of wild agave species for a tiny production. He returned with eight small piñas of Tepextate, twelve of Jabalín, and thirteen of Bicuixe, totaling around 1,000 kg.

In Logoche, crafting co-fermented field blends—ensambles—has been a common practice since Simitrio’s family first settled this bend of the Guishe River in the late 19th century, when they and a few other families used the area for clandestine fermentation and distillation. The inclusion of Jabalín is a more recent development but has become increasingly common. Due to its elevated saponin content, which produces excessive foam during fermentation and distillation, most palenqueros prefer to process Jabalín alongside other types of agave. Through experience, producers have also found its flavors and aromas to be quite intense—meaning even a small amount can have a significant impact.

Harvest and distillation occurred during some of the coldest weather of the season, extending both dry and wet fermentation times. After the agaves were chopped and milled mechanically, the dry fibers rested in a sabino wood tank for eight days before their aroma and temperature signaled it was time to add water. Simitrio added around 400 liters of well water, weighted the mash with carrizo reeds and large stones, and waited another eight days before the batch was ready for distillation.

Twice distilled, the final 40-liter batch was composed with a mix of heads, hearts, and a select cut of high-proof tails, yielding a spirit bottled at 46.7% ABV. A total of 48 bottles are available exclusively through Nasa Liquor in Houston, TX.

§ Maguey(es): Tepextate (A. marmorata var.), Jabalín (A. convallis var.), Bicuixe (A. karwinskii var.)

§ Provenance of the maguey: Wild maguey harvested on family land; Piedra Lisa parcel

§ Producer: Simitrio Aquino García

§ Region: Logoche, Miahuatlán

§ Soil type: White and rocky tierra blanca

§ Rest time after harvest: Five days

§ Oven: Conical earthen pit; thirteen days with mesquite wood

§ Rest time after oven: four days

§ Maceration: Machete and shredder

§ Fermentation: Native yeasts; one 1200L Montezuma cypress sabino wood tank with approx. 700kg of cooked agave and 400 liters of well water

§ Dry fermentation time: Eight days

§ Wet fermentation time: Eight days

§ Distillation: 2x in copper pot stills

§ Final composition: Heads, hearts, and tails

§ Batch size: 40L

§ Date of distillation: February 2025

§ ABV: 46.7%

MARIE NAKAZAWASeptember 4, 2025