Tequila & Mezcal
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Agave variety

Mexicano mezcal

Agave rhodacantha — a tall, spiny agave that sits between espadín's structure and the wild varieties' aroma.

Species
Agave rhodacantha Trel.
Cultivation
Wild and semi-cultivated
Maturity
8–12 years
Main states
Oaxaca
Bottles in catalog
160
Average rating
3.57 / 5

Mexicano is grown and gathered across Oaxaca and the Sierra Sur, with a long narrow leaf and reddish spines that give the species its name. It matures faster than tepeztate or arroqueño but slower than espadín, roughly eight to twelve years.

Producers like it because it ferments cleanly and gives generous aroma without the scarcity premium of tobalá. It appears both as a single-variety bottling and as a common partner in ensambles.

What mexicano tastes like

Ripe tropical fruit and citrus over green herbs, with a peppery, slightly resinous finish. It usually reads brighter and fruitier than espadín while keeping enough weight to stand alone.

Mexicano bottles, rated by the community

120 bottles with photos and documented origin · mostly from Oaxaca, Jalisco, Puebla

Mexicano — frequently asked

What agave is mexicano mezcal made from?
Agave rhodacantha, a tall spiny agave grown and gathered mainly in Oaxaca.
Is mexicano mezcal a wild agave?
Both — it is gathered wild and increasingly planted, which keeps it more available than tobalá or tepeztate.

Compare across the whole catalog in the best mezcals guide or browse by producer.