Drink of the Week: The Producer Mezcal

The mezcal category continues to grow at impressive speeds, and with so many new brands, it can be hard to keep up with all of the options. One of the newest standout labels to land on my desk recently is The Producer, which launched in September with two expressions: an ensamble (field blend) made of espadín and cuishe agaves (SRP $46.99), and a single-varietal tepeztate (SRP $97.99), both made in Oaxaca.

The former, which lands with a big hit of floral sweetness on the palate, is made by maestro Erasto Martinez in Tlacolula de Matamoros, fermented for 8-11 days, and distilled in copper pot stills. The tepeztate offers an impressive depth of character and even more complexity thanks to the older variety of agave used (the wild plants are harvested between 16-25 years); it’s fermented for a whopping 13 days in Santiago Matatlán.

While most traditional mezcal is bottled at a higher proof (many brands aim for 40% ABV just for the U.S. market), these both ring in at 40.2% ABV, yet each one expresses a clear and distinct flavor of the plant and production practices. Sip either one this weekend to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, or consider them for holiday gifting (don’t forget to start shopping early this year).