José’s Signature Destilado Lumbre Batch JALU1122⠀
My second review, courtesy of Creador, is a staple from José with an agave species endemic to his region. Agave Lumbre is cultivated in San Bernardo Mixtepec, Oaxaca, and predates the introduction of espadín. Taking 8-10 years to mature, Lumbre (LOOM-bray) is similar in appearance to espadín but has a distinct red coloration from where it draws its name as lumbre translates to fire.
Take a look at Creador’s website to learn more about José’s process and learn more about Agave Lumbre.
Mezcalero(a): José Alberto Pablo.
Maguey: Agave Angustifolia var.
Region: San Bernardo Mixtepec, Oaxaca.
ABV: 48.3%.
Oven: Conical rock-lined pit; 4-5 days days with Nogal wood (walnut).
Fermentation: Native yeasts, 4-7 days in buried 90 liter clay pots, with water added after 1-2 days.
Distillation: 2x in clay pot stills, fired with Encino wood (oak).
Batch size: May 2021 (360 total liters), August 2021 (420 liters).
Batch Number: Release 2, batch JALU1122.
Price: $110
Tasting Notes
Nose: A bright, briny nose with some olives and seaside air. I expected a lot of vegetable notes but instead was greeted with some intense spices of white pepper, sage, and even a bit of juniper berry. It has a lovely simple vegetable aroma. Grilled orange and yellow bell peppers, seasoned with some olive oil and flaky sea salt. I gave this one an extended rest time, capping in a Glencairn for comparison purposes. There’s also an intense cinnamon bubble gum note to it that I didn’t get when nosing from my Veladora.
Palate: The fruity funk of that clay pot comes out on the palate with an unexpected sweetness to it. Guava, soursop, and lichee perhaps. A fruit blend of firm and slightly underripe honeydew. Once that sweetness fades, it’s back to all veg. Raw starchy vegetables of yucca and yams. Grasses, leaves, and corn husks. There’s also a saline note at the back of the palate that is in perfect harmony with the sweet fruit flavors.
Finish: Where the palate brought some of the clay funk, the finish rounds it off with more earthy and timber notes. Smoldering wood charcoal embers and the fringed edges of grilled corn husks. White onions on a singed wooden kabob. It’s a richer finish than I expected, with those hints of the clay distillation as well as the wood used in the cook. Lastly, the finish is on the dry side but doesn’t teeter into astringent territory. It’s as if a slight salt residue is left over on your palate.
Overall
This is my third review of José’s mezcal now. It’s so evident that the “hand of the maker” and processes in which José uses, directly correlates to the flavors in the spirit. The agave varietal might change, and batch to batch might have some fluctuations, but you’ll always get this pure, agave flavor with a nice earthy counterbalance from the clay pot.
I didn’t get any expressive clay pot lactic notes on this Lumbre but instead a safer, more simplistic blend of flavors. They work well but I am looking for more complexity these days which I found in both of José’s espadíns I’ve previously reviewed. The Lubre’s finish I think is what’s tripping me up as it feels more like a “daily” mezcal. Something I can see myself enjoying with a food pairing or sip while at a beach picnic. My preferences lean towards those espadíns and I’m excited to try the 50/50 ensamble with both agave varietals.
Final Score: 86
