La Medida Mezcal

La Medida Mezcal (“the measure”) is a collaborative brand created by Julián Vidal Gómez Rodríguez, who has been one of the unsung icons of Oaxacan mezcal for over 40 years. Julian’s history reads like a narrative of the evolution of the modern mezcal industry, at a gradual transition in scale. Beginning with early commercialization decades ago, Julian witnessed firsthand the rise of industrial distillers like Monte Alban and Benevá; he left to help open the door to artisanal mezcal alongside Ron Cooper during the first years of Del Maguey, and eventually he moved on to co-found the tiny artisanal brand he operates today. Alongside his son, Julián works in concert with several highly regarded mezcaleros in Miahuatlan, San Baltazar Guelavila, and Río Golea (including the enigmatic legend Don Celso, who co-founded the brand) to showcase a diverse range of wild and cultivated single-varietal bottlings. We are thrilled and honored to introduce their life’s work to the US market!

Mezcal Espadín. The man, the myth, the legend…the mysterious mezcalero Don Celso of Rio Golea is spoken of in reverential terms by agave cognoscenti all over. Celso distills only this one core varietal, but does it so beautifully that we couldn’t dream of asking for anything else. Truly legendary Espadín, which speaks deeply of varietal and place, with bold fruit and hints of hard cheese on the nose, and minerality, weight, and earthy musculature on the palate.

Mezcal Bicuishe. Piney and fibrous, this subspecies of the Agave karwinskii is not commonly bottled under this particular colloquial name. Hailing from the renowned southern Oaxaca district of Miahuatlán, this is a beautiful example of the agave; full of green herbs and soft angles.

Mezcal Madrecuishe. The “mother” of Agave karwinskii, the large and resinous Madrecuishe grows tall and proud in Miahuatlán. A long, cylindrical trunk (which harvested resembles a huge cigar) is topped with a tall, green bloom of leaves, spreading out from the trunk’s heart. From this trunk or stem, the Madrecuishe carries a lot of fiber alongside its highly concentrated sugars. A balance of fruity and vegetal notes is a hallmark of the distillate, implying everything from leafy green herbs to sweet carrots to raspberry seeds. An ideal example of this beloved varietal.

Mezcal Arroqueño. The massive Arroqueño, a subspecies of the Agave americana, typically takes around twenty years to mature. Grown wild, the varietal was nearly extinct just a few decades ago, but has recovered in recent years, its population regrowing especially in southern Oaxaca districts like Miahuatlán through the efforts of mezcaleros and conservation activists in the region. Coveted for its high concentration of sugars over decades of growth, the mezcal tends to offer a fruity and fragrant approach, balanced with high proof and a rich body. A rare gem to experience.

Mezcal Tepeztate.  Harvested after growing 20–25 years in the wild, the Tepeztate grows to be massive; nearly the size of a VW Bug or a Mini Cooper. Found at high elevations, they often grow directly out of sheer rock walls and cliff faces, giving shade to smaller agave (such as Tobala) growing nearby. With huge leaves (pencas) lolling out, their brilliant, red teeth serrating a soft and textured flesh, the Tepeztate is arguably the most varietally consistent agave in distillation. Notes of green bananas, soft flowers, bell peppers, and melons recur in numerous examples, and La Medida has a benchmark example.