Bremen, February 16, 2018. Following the successful debut of Bozal Mezcal from 3 Badge Beverage Corporation last year, four new single-varietal mezcals are now entering the German market. The distribution is carried out by the Bremer Spirituosen Contor. The Bremen-based company is thus further expanding its mezcal expertise with two strictly limited “Reserva” style mezcals and two bottlings in the traditional “Sacrifio Style”. The four new Bozal varieties, Castilla, Coyote, Pechuga and Borrego, once again highlight traditional production.
Since the production was originally intended only for personal use and smaller parties, all qualities are strictly limited and bottled in small batches. The Bozal Range, available in well-stocked liquor stores and select bars and restaurants, now includes seven artisanal mezcals made from wild agave varieties.
The “Reserva” line represents extremely limited mezcals, made in an artisanal and original production style, respecting the ancient methods of the local population. In keeping with 200 years of tradition, the mezcal is distilled exclusively in ovens made of clay. Only 30 bottles each of the two new “Reserva” bottlings Bozal Castilla and Bozal Coyote are available for the German market due to the strong limitation.
The Bozal Borrego and Bozal Pechuga bottlings are made in the “Sacrifio Style”. This centuries-old production method is deeply rooted in the culture of the Mezcaleros and represents a sacrificial offering. In the final distillation, marinated meat is added to the mezcal in a distillation basket, in addition to nuts, grains and seasonal wild fruits. The traditional approach dictates that the production of these mezcals is carried out once a year at the end of the year for personal consumption in order to drink the mezcal at small fiestas. These very original production methods make the mezcal varieties unique, strictly limited craft pieces.
“The exceptional character and flavors of these mezcals are the result of traditional, artisanal techniques used by local mezcaleros,” said August Sebastiani, president of 3 Badge Beverage Corporation. “Above all, Bozal Mezcal represents the exploration of wild, single-varietal agave and is an adventure of handcrafted spirits that reflect their place of origin.”
Bozal Castilla
Village of origin: San Juan Bautista Jayacatlán – Oaxaca
Agave: Castilla
Mezcalero: Ormides Hernandez
Distillation: Clay Pot Still
Alcohol: 47,3vol. %
The Castilla Agave belongs to the Oaxacensis family and is closely related to the Espandin Agave. Like many other wild agaves, Castilla is strongly influenced by the terroir of the surrounding area. The agave grows deep in the heart of the Oaxaca Valley near a river, making its flavor strongly influenced by fruity notes.
Tastingnotes
Characterized by the region where the Castillas agave grows, the mezcal has a fruity and earthy flavor. The palate reveals a subtle sweetness with notes of roasted agave, mocha, fresh mint and pepper. The finish is soft with light smoky notes.
Bozal Coyote
Village of origin: Sola de Vega – Oaxaca
Agave: Coyote
Mezcalero: Isidro Damian
Distillation: Clay Pot Still
Alcohol: 52.8% vol.
Coyote Agave is an elusive, wild agave that belongs to the American Oaxacensis Agave family. Characterized by its region of origin, Sola de Vega in Oaxaca, the typical character of the agave is shown by earthy, herbaceous aromas and a spicy finish.
Tastingnotes
A stunning expression of the unique character of the Coyote Agave. Initially earthy and slightly smoky, followed by a wide-ranging palette of mineral flavors and dark chocolate. The finish is dry and balanced – a mezcal to enjoy.
Bozal pitchuga
Village of origin: Mazatlán – Guerrero
Agave: Papalote
Mezcalero: Jose M Bello
Distillation: Copper Pot Still
Alcohol: 46.9 vol. %
Cupreata Agave, known as Papalote Agave in the state of Guerrero, grows wild in the mountains of the Rio Balsas Basin. The harvest of this agave is particularly difficult due to the steep slopes on which it grows. Cupreata from Guerrero shows up with sweet floral notes, followed by the aroma of wet earth and subtle minerality, like the smell of the air before an oncoming storm.
In the production, before the third distillation, cooked chicken is marinated with regional fruits, chili peppers, citrus, cinnamon and cloves and added in a distillation basket. This ritual has been performed for many generations in this region with unchanged recipe.
Tastingnotes
Bozal Pechuga shows a delicate balance in which the smokiness is clearly tempered by proteins and wild fruits. An intense mouthfeel offers notes of roasted fruit, subtle minerality and light smokiness with a dry finish.
Bozal Borrego
Village of origin: Rio de Ejutla – Oaxaca
Agave: Castilla
Mezcalero: Don Adrian Bautista
Distillation: Copper Pot Still
Alcohol: 52 vol. %
Bozal Borrego, like Bozal Castilla, is made from Castilla Agave. Due to its origin in this dry region in Oaxaca, the agave has a distinctive mineral character. In the same area, pumpkins have been cultivated for hundreds of years, thus the agave from the soil absorbs a special complexity of flavors.
Following the first distillation, the second distillation takes place, where a leg of lamb, pecan nuts, ginger and seasonal wild fruits from the region are added as additional adjuncts in a distillation basket in the pot still.
Tastingnotes
A dry mineral base with an abundance of fruit aromas, herbaceous notes and nuts. The palate develops the sweetness of bright citrus and date plums. The finish is soft with flavors of smoked lamb.
About Bozal Mezcal
The Spanish term “bozal”, means “wild” or “untamed” and represents the wild agave species that thrive in the hard-to-reach terrain of Mexico. The regional varieties used grow on steep slopes in the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero. However, the name also reflects the untamed traditions used by the mezcaleros of the small family distilleries in the region to produce small batches. The intensely exotic flavors with rich earth tones and savory smokiness are traditionally extracted from the agave hearts to produce a “wildly refined” mezcal – the essence of wild agave, so to speak. This traditional style of making Bozal Mezcal is also reflected in the packaging: the mezcal is bottled in rustic ceramic bottles in the style of the “terracotta copitas”, the traditional drinking vessels made of clay. In order to give back to the communities, a portion of the production costs is dedicated to education promotion, women’s health care and building school infrastructure. For every single agave harvested to produce Bozal, two new agave plants are planted in a mountain nursery and replanted back into the wild after one to two years.
About 3 Badge Beverage Corporation
The family-owned 3 Badge Beverage Corporation, the spirits portfolio operates under 3 Badge Mixology, from California is an absolute model of craftsmanship, quality and tradition. Descended from Italian immigrants, the Sebastiani family is one of the oldest wine families in Sonoma and among the most successful entrepreneurs in the entire California wine industry. Today, the company is run by the fourth generation and is dedicated to producing the finest quality spirits. The assortment consists of unique qualities, which are produced in very small batches. These include the multiple award-winning brands Kirk & Sweeney Rum, Uncle Val’s Gin, Pasote Tequila and Bozal Mezcal.
About Bremer Spirituosen Contor
Bremer Spirituosen Contor GmbH was founded in 1994 as a subsidiary of GES Großeinkaufsring des Süßwaren- und Getränkehandels e. g.. As an intermediary trader of spirits, champagne, sparkling wine and wine as well as a general importer of international premium spirits in Germany, the company employs around 100 people at its headquarters in Bremen. In 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018, Bremer Spirituosen Contor was awarded “Importer of the Year” at the International Spirits Competition (ISW) for its exclusive brands.