Traditional Oaxaca Mezcal in the Zapotec tradition.
Just outside San Dionisio, the ancient Oaxacan town surrounded by clean air and water, the creative team behind Madre found a family of mezcaleros and decided to produce a truly personal and unique Mezcal. The Morales family works together day in, day out, to create the Spirit following traditional Zapotec recipes and methods. Jose, his father and his brothers cut the Agave plants, while his mother blesses them with sage before cooking them in the earth. His wife plants new Agaves and a gaggle of uncles keeps an eye on the distillation process. The Madre recipe was designed by mixing an ensemble of agave to give a softer, lighter smoke and a sweet botanical hue.
Madre Mezcal, an artisanal Spirit handmade in the valley of Oaxaca, is made with Agave Espadin and Agave Cuishe. Jose Garcia Morales and his folks roast them in an earthen pit and use wild yeast for fermentation. Family’s ancient copper still produces a unique Spirit with lovely Agave flavors and aromas, accompanied by warm and peppery notes. It’s a fantastic place to start your Mezcal journey with its approachable flavor profile.
In 2019, Madre Mezcal tickled the fancy of our Members and won one of the 2020 Flaviar Awards!
The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Madre Mezcal and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.
We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
Very smoky that hits you right away, peppery.. clean, very little lingering after it goes down. First sip is a little rough as I didn't know what to expect. The smoky is sort of equivalent of peat in this if you had to compare to a whiskey. This isn't bad, out of my comfort zone with little experience, I did enjoy this sample after the first sip goes down clean with nice flavor.... drank this neat.
Chris,
Excellent, sippable mezcal. Smooth and smokey. Head-to-head, I think I prefer Ilegal, but it’s very close.
Rob,
Fantastic as a base for cocktails.
Dexter,
One of my favorites! Definitely worth a try straight and mixes great, especially in a oaxacan old fashioned.
Celeste,
Nice flavors but quite overwhelmed by smoke. Mexcal doesn’t agree with Albert.
Alex,
Very smoky and smooth. Easy to drink neat.
Owen,
Not sure I like agave which I think is the smell that overpowers the nose. It is smokey and very smooth. If you like this sort of thing definitely worth trying but not for me.
luca,
Fantastico 😍
Sunni,
Smoky and salty
Jacob,
The cilantro of the spirit world. Some love it and others hate it. This is my go to Mezcal for a craft Paloma. When you cut it with maple syrup as the sugar base, it is just an amazing flavor.
Thomas,
This had way too much of a smokey flavor for me to enjoy. I enjoy mostly scotch, whiskey, and bourbon so I was looking for another similar spirit. The smoke in this was overwhelming!
John,
This was great and you'll enjoy it if you like smoky whiskeys. A lot of smoke but with some floral notes and sweetness coming through.
Jeff,
First try with Mezcal however, so maybe it's just not for me. The smoky flavor is just too intense.
Enrico,
Perfect if ypu like smoked and salty flavours
Clark,
First mezcal tasting. Smooth and smoky. Don’t taste the sweetness at the end that others mentioned. We liked it. Will try more.
Martin,
Not for me... don’t think I’m a Mezcal kinda guy. Very smoky and intense flavours.
chris,
It was very Smokey it over powered the drink I did not like it much.
William,
Beautiful product inside and out. I highly recommend this mezcal for the novice drinker as the smoke is gentle on the palate and carries a hint of high roasted agave aroma.
tim,
Agree
Aaron,
Tastes like a Campfire. To be fair, i don’t drink mezcal or tequila. Not my bag apparently.
Kristy,
Very smooth, unique smokiness flavor, a good example of great mezcal!
Melvin,
Good Mezcal. A bit on the strong side.
Michael,
Great flavor! Smoke on the front end followed by a hint of sweetness at the finish! Highly recommend!
Martins,
Very good, smooth, smokey ,stew like notes, i do really enjoy this one. Will get one more bottle, haven't seen so much charterer in some time.
KEITH,
An acquired taste of Smooth and Smokey that’s very pleasant!
Kenneth,
Agave and pepper forward, though pepper somewhat turpentine flavored. Honey flavor way in the background.
Terry,
Much better out there
Matthew,
Nope nope nope not for me
Robert,
Bold smoke and fire. Turns a Margarita into an adventure,
Huagang,
Earthy and smoky
Diane,
It was a gift to a co worker who lost her mother. I didn’t want to buy flowers so i asked another co worker what could i get her. I found out she was from Oaxaca and loved mezcal. I bought it purely on the name “madre” . I thought it would be nice for her to toast and remember her mother. According to the daughter it was well received. Thank you
Steve,
Love it. Used it to make el caminos. Great compliment to the rye.
Peter,
Sorry, I didn't like it. It tastes like someone put a cigarette out in an old glass of bad tequila.
Ricardo,
Smooth and smokey how Mezcal should be.
Corey,
H
Göran,
Starts like a Swiss etter and finishes on the Scottish peaty isles. Lingering smokey goodness enveloping a pleasant mezcal backdrop.
Lisa,
I hate this mezcal. It tastes like bandaid and forest fire.
Aaron,
Lol agreed
Robert,
Good for mixing, but harsh for a sipping spirit.
Darrien,
Too much smoke for me
Thomas,
I’m a Newcomer to the world of mezcal & this was a very helpful introduction as to its possibilities. In honesty, I picked up the bottle mainly because of the design & bad-ass name... ‘Mother of all the dead’... how can you not take this drop seriously? Loved the balance of rich honey, minerals and smoke playing off each other (not dissimilar to a Japanese blended whisky in the early stages)... The finish is pure agave with smokey embers that ends things with a welcome complexity. Will happily sip this over a touch of ice but have a feeling that this would also do well in a Meh-groni.
Kareem,
Very smoke mazcal
Adam,
Smooth and smokey
Raoul,
Smokey, but not too smokey, sweet and, surprisingly round. Fully packed with flavor. The flavor, that also continues in the taste, gives a pleasant aftertaste. I can see why people see this as a favorite for daily sipping
Gregory,
Amazing. Smooth. Not at all harsh like other Mezcals. Smokey, yes but subtly floral too. Lovely. And you guessed it, I'm an Islay scotch drinker.
Chintan,
It is a little harsh. I am surprised this won 2020 place. Very Smokey . Becomes a little better when kept in freezer. Wont buy again.
Brandon,
XX was.
Robert,
For an extra smokey take on mezcal this meets you there. It's like a desert fire, burning sage, but with sweet, a little bitter, floral, and herbal. It's perfect for the smokey scotch fan who needs to change things up. I appreciate it for that.
Beau,
Smoke flavored tequila... not something I will ever try again.
David,
Subtle at first then velvet smokiness takes hold. Very nice sipping Mezcal.
Nathan,
Not my thing but it was flavorful. I can see why people would label it a favorite.
Stephen,
Very Smooth, great on straight ice or for a margarita also.
Troy,
The roasted agave and smoked flavors hit you right off the bat. It is strong in a good way. Enjoyable for what it is but not something I could see serving company.
guest,
The dry z
Shirlette,
Enjoyed the flavor!
John,
Really impressed with the complexity, right amount of smoke too
Scott,
Loved it! So smooth and Smokey. Ordering 3 more bottles!
Richelle,
Smokey and peppery... almost tasted peated! Good for sipping or a good Paloma.
Katherine,
I loved this mezcal. We drank it with fresh lemonade and by itself. Both delicuos
Jane,
I made a smoky sweet mezcal paloma from this and it was perfect!!!!
Alex,
To quote my wife, “the Mexican equivalent of Scotch.” If you’re a sipping person, this one is worth a try, peppery all the way from nose to tail, complimented with toasty vanilla. Take it from me, I don’t even really like tequila and mezcal and would recommend!
Allegra,
i'm not big on mezcal, but this had a lot in common with a smokey whiskey, actually lots of smoke taste. my husband really enjoyed it, and we discovered that a touch of fresh lime softened it up and made it really enjoyable.
Taylor,
Awesome mezcal, smokey, smooth, great for Oaxacan old fashions or on its own
Brandon,
Very earthy/smokey and authentic.
Lisa,
OMG. Very Smokey flavor to me. I felt like I was standing in a forest fire inhaling the smoke. I am obviously not a mezcal person
William,
Taste, flavor, aroma, perfect. Very smooth for a mezcal.
John,
It was very Smokey and Peaty. I did not like it, and the clear look was a surprise.
Susanna,
This was quite good but I am a whisky person. I still might buy another Bottle some day.
Michael,
I like it. Smoky
Amanda,
I found it smooth but really smoky. This is the first mezcal that I have tried. Gald I tried it.
William,
Smoky, smooth, and delicious.
Zane,
The smoky after taste is overwhelming. Not for my taste.
Nathan,
Amazing
Callum,
Amazing deep, peppery and Smokey taste. Just as good sipped as knocked back! Highly recommended!
Kyle,
like it but has a strong smoky aftertaste
Kyle,
like it but heavy smokey aftertaste
Alicia,
This one caught me by surprise it had a very strong smokey taste I was not prepared for. Not sure how I feel about this one.
Ramsey,
Really wasn’t my style, but glad I gave it a try.
Alyssa,
I loved it! I really picked up the salt flavor and felt like I was enjoying a cool beach breeze.
Christopher,
It’s a tasting experience. Strong and smokey, like tequila and a good peaty scotch had a love child.
Daniel,
Weird, almost offensive on the nose, tasted like burnt wiring with sweetness and a floral hint. On the nose, I thought of that weird smokey smell some rubber products from overseas have. Almost like Lapsang Souchong tea. Just a very unique flavor.
Alex,
Pretty good mezcal, I prefer mine with a bit more smoke, but I enjoyed it.
Mike,
Not enough smoke. Worong domination of roasted and smooth. Where is the bite?
John,
From drinking this I can see why tequila became popular before mezcal. I cannot actually describe it in one word except.. awful. It's too rough on the pallet and offensive to smell. Maybe if I dint grow up an Irish whiskey drinker id like it. Just no
Brendan,
While mezcal isn’t really my thing, this one has a it too much ethanol combined with ashtray and stinky feet.
Andrew,
Someone else here described this as peaty. While that just feels wrong to me, I see where they were going for the smoke forward nose, and the lasting aftertaste that I associate with strong agave mezcal and very peaty scotch. I paired (pun intended, wait for it) this with the Sanpellegrino Arancia & Fico D’India soda for a really complex homage to a Paloma. The (orange and prickly pear) soda added enough sweetness and mild citrus to elevate this to a dangerous elixir that I look forward to drinking again. I might introduce some rosemary to make a full on summer lunch punch.
Karim,
Smooth and smoky. I love the flavor of the Agave in this one compared to its cousin Tequila.
Calvin,
Hot damn...never had a smokey mezcal. SO GOOD
Dane,
No burn or bite. Incredibly smooth. Hints of smoke throughout and a finish that lingers almost the perfect amount. A different buy on my part but am glad that i did.
Gerard,
Smooth at first and Good smoky flavor on the back end.
Joshua,
Really tasty mezcal! Super smooth. Good for sipping.
drew,
Excellent drinking mezcal.. if you allow it to sit on your pallet you can taste the earth and the smoke, then send it for a smooth ride down.
Stephen,
Probably the worst spirit I've ever tasted, sorry to those who make this and like it but personally I'll never try it again...hated it
Kenn,
First tasting of mezcal. Agree with several other comments about the plastic/ medicinal smell. There is pepper taste and smooth lingering finish. Very smoky to me, but willing to try it a few more times before writing it off for good.
Timothy,
My first Mezcal for a Bourbon, Rye, and Wine drinking guy.
Nose: a bit off putting at first reminiscent of drying paint but bread dough and slight pickles (briny) do come thru. I do get a mental note of ceviche with lime juice which does play across the senses as well as a smoked vegetal sensation.
Taste: charred wood, smoke, salt and peppered salami that is both herbal and soft with a light sweet side. Definitely like drinking a nice young Islay or Lowland Scotch but with the unique Agave aspect.
Finish: smoky and peppered but softer and smoother than one might expect. There is a sweet earthy side to the finish aka roasted peppers with a cream cheese filling.
Unique for sure.
Briana,
Not a fan
Rene,
Very salty at first, hints of pepper and some lime. Very good buy
Tigre,
Smoke was perfect for my taste
Mealea,
Great for mixed drinks. Try it in an oldfashioned.
Ryan,
I like mezcal, but this is not a good one. Not sure how it won an award unless Flaviar got a deal and is simply trying to prop up sales. Alcohol and smoke with little else in the nose, harsh taste.
Patrick,
Unlike any mezcal I have ever tasted, it's very sharp, I'm unable to drink it on its own. I can't drink it unless I mix it with something else. Not a fan.
Cheryl,
Very smokey but we like mixing with it
Joel,
Have never had this type of alcohol before, first taste was terrible and over time the flavors grew on me. It was smooth and at the end pretty tasty. You have to have an open mind when trying.
Francisco,
Smooth
Dave,
a little too smokey for us.
Harvey,
This is a harsh, rough edged drink. No comparison to a good tequila at similar price. Not a good initiation to drinking mezcal.
Bradley,
Absolutely loved it. Best mezcal I’ve ever tasted.
Christina,
One of the smoothest mezcals I have ever had. Not too smokey, with hints of botanicals, a slight sweetness. I have had a lot of mezcals and this is the best value for money in regard to quality and price.
Julie,
We couldn't decide if it was more like kerosene or turpentine. Decided to call it ""turpe-sene," literally the only sampler we ever poured out. Clearly, I am not tough enough for this drink.
Roger,
Pretty strong straight.
William,
I have never liked Tequila or Mezcal. This one changed my mind. Smokey and flavorful. Lots of character. Just a nice sipper.
Rebecca,
Really great base for cocktails. Splash of club soda and lemon. Sub it in cocktails that call for tequila for a more smoky experience.
Aneesa,
Would rather drink kerosene. In fact, I think that is what it was...
Edjdj,
I have never had Mezcal before so the first shot was a bit of a shock, but soon after, I look forward to having a shot. Madre has a smooth, smoky finish and though it will never replace Bourbon for me, it will be a close second.
Timothy,
Didn’t care for this at all. To me it taste and smelled like rubbing alcohol.
Benjamin,
Excellent straight and affordable enough to use in nicer cocktails
Sam,
Not as strong on the Smokey flavor, but a solid mixing mezcal.
Daniel,
Received this as part of a tasting box. This is my first mezcal so I don't have a frame of reference. Smokey, peppery, with some sweet after notes. Not my favorite drink but don't hate it either. The dram grew on me as I drank it. Still, don't think I'd order any more.
Angela,
Very, very distinct flavor that you would have to be in to. The roasted agave is very apparent but so is the pepper.
Rocco,
Too sweet a little bit too salty. Never had Mezcal.
Matt,
Taste like a rubber tire soaked in cheap cuervo.
Ron,
Good mezcal..... I just don’t like mezcal
Emily,
Really enjoyed this mezcal
Valmiki,
Came with a strong plastic taste when I first opened the bottle, after a couple of days this cleared but was a bit too heavy for my liking
Valmiki,
I didn’t like the strong plastic taste when I first opened the bottle, possibly due to the plastic cork it came with; I left the bottle open for a day and this taste was gone and really enjoyed it after
Jeffrey,
A fantastic mezcal. Very smooth, and the perfect balance of smokiness and has a long, lingering finish. We made margaritas and replaced the tequila with Madre Mezcal and created the best margarita we've ever had.
Chuck,
Great easy drinking, relaxing tequila.
Chris,
Not my cup of tea , per se, but very smooth nonetheless. I actually really enjoyed some of the smoky notes, and the aftertaste is quite pleasant for a mezcal. It already has hints of sweetness to it, I feel like if they leaned in slightly more to that, it'd get an extra star or two in my opinion.
John,
Horrible. Tastes like homade hootch stored in an old tire. Disgusting! I feel ripped off.
William,
I didn’t like it at all. In fact I thought it tasted awful. Only benefit was it was my free bottle. I would have been very upset if I had actually paid money for it. Can’t believe it’s on Flaviar’s best list.
Jason,
This was my first intentional, lucid experience with mezcal, and it was long overdue. A strong smoky nose lends itself to almost peaty notes after a few sips - great for a scotch-lover. Very smooth and understated.
Tammy,
Never had a mezcal that tasted quite like this. Strong and smooth with smokiness
Gregory,
Never tried before and this is surely smooth
Mojca,
Not a huge fan of Mezcal but this one made me change my mind. Loved the agave notes and its smoothness.
Sam,
This is a great mezcal for taking your favorite tequila cocktail recipe up a notch. On its own, it drinks just fine, but I would prefer a reposado or añejo to sip if I had the choice.
Sam,
Love the smokiness, adore the brand!
David,
This ain't your madre's mezcal! It is, however, amazing!
Sébastien,
Love the smokiness!
Bernadette,
It's like Scotch and Tequila and Bacon had a beautiful beautiful baby!
Chris,
To be fair. I’m not a Mezcal person but thought that I would try. I also just tried it on ice and didn’t like it. However it was better than the ones I have tried.
Ray,
Woah. Smoky almost leather flavor. That sounds weird, but not at all unpleasant. Reminded me of a sports car's interior, somehow.
Sydney,
It’s oak-y smelling but tastes very smooth. Would buy again.
Jan,
The Mezcal that changed it all for me!
Nikola,
I usually go with Tequila, but boy was I happy when I tried this bottle out :) Worth every peso
Tim,
This is my first mezcal and while I don’t have anything to compare it to, I must say that I’m a fan. This is nice and smoky and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I drank it neat, but plan on trying it in a cocktail too.
Erin,
This was my first mezcal. It was a pleasant surprise. I’m not sure I’ll keep mezcal in my cabinet but I don’t regret trying it.
Kate,
This is my first experience with Mezcal and it is good. I like it with one ice cube and brings the smokiness down to a level that is good for me. It is, however, very smokey....it is smooth tho.
Charles,
This is an outstanding mezcal with a broad spectrum of aromas, flavors with just the right touch of sweetness in the finish.
Nikola,
Sweet and Salty, but in perfect balance. My new favorite Mezcal
Daniel,
Roasted agave. Peppery, sweet, salty, oily finish. Not bad, but not my favorite.
Michelle,
I like the earthiness, but spouse finds it to be medicinal.
Charles,
This is a delightful mezcal. Complex fruits on the tongue with just enough smoke and very smooth finish.
Antti,
It is an outstanding, elegant, Espadin Cuishe Ensamble Mezcal that has an aromatic birth; while a rich & balanced life leads to a long & warm death.
Zachary,
Smooth light smoky nose, a little sweet on the tongue with a clean finish.
Vincent,
Had some of this at the Flaviar tasting event, and it is excellent. Subtle smoke with lots of character and flavor. I'll be ordering a bottle...
Frederic,
I usually drink whisky. Mezcal flavor profile has so many similitudes, especially because of the smoke. In my view, this mezcal tops them all. Sip this straight up and enjoy the ride...
KATIE,
Super smooth ensamble mezcal, with enough smoke but not too much. Slightly sweet finish and pleasant on the throat.
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