Pechuga Mezcal is one of the most fascinating and unusual spirits to be made anywhere in the world.

With this curious style of spirit, a protein source, usually a chicken or turkey, is marinated in in the double distilled spirit before a third distillation. Fruits, chilis, spices are also commonly used to flavour the spirit. Pechuga is generally made in small batches for the festive season.

This particular bottling begins with Papalote agave, also known as Cupreata agave, which grows wild on the mountains of the Rio Balsas basin in the state of Guerrero. Harvesting this agave is a tricky task, given the altitude and gradient of the mountains. Typically, Papalote offers a spirit with a sweet, floral profile underpinned by earthiness.

In making their take on Pechuga, Bozal crush the agave in the traditional fashion using a stone wheel drawn by a horse or donkey, after the piña has been cooked in earthen pots. The spirit is then double distilled in copper pot stills. Then, a cooked organic chicken is added, along with local fruits, citrus, chilis, raisins, cloves and cinnamon. These ingredients are allowed to macerate in the mezcal, before the entire mixture is distilled for a third time.

The spirit is made to a family recipe that has been passed down for four generations, and has been produced in the town of Mazatlán, in the Guerrero state.

The final product is a delicately smoky mezcal, with a mouthfeel softened by the protein, and notes of gentle spice, chopped scallions, roasted citrus fruits, earthy agave, minerality, wild flowers, cloves and some gentle agave sweetness.

Bozal’s bottles recall the traditional terracotta drinking vessels used to enjoy mezcal in Mexico. The brown colour of this bottling signifies that it has been produced in the traditional “Sacrificio” style.

• Distillery / brand
  Bozal
• Country
  Mexico
• Non-chillfiltered
  No
• Natural colour
  Yes
• SKU
  041798