The Final Collaboration Batch
While visiting Tomas, he told us about working side by side with Don Enrique, the lead maestro behind the Navarro family brand La Campanilla. Tomas and Enrique, were in the early years of a collaboration where they were sharing their own unique know-how related to production. Enrique with centuries-old knowledge of wild Salmiana and clay pot distillation and Thomas with a scientific approach to whisky fermentation and distillation.
Tomas and Don Enrique co-produced an 80-liter batch of ensamble Chino-Cuervo in 2017. This would turn out to be Don Enrique and Tomas’s final batch together, eventually, that would be passed on to Thomas while his palenque would be passed on to his wife Doña Maria. Although the batch was a 50-50 partnership, Thomas insisted the bottle listed Enrique as the sole master producer to honor his memory. As Enrique’s health declined, Tomas is not certain if he was able to participate in any more batches with his family.
Tomas has rested this in glass until selling half of it to Maguey Melate in 2022. Initially, Tomas was only willing to part ways with 20 liters. Given the price per liter was nearly double anything we have ever bought (double what a clay pot Tepextate or pechuga from Minas costs in our tasting box 1 and 3), we were happy with purchasing only 20 liters… until we tried it. It was one of the best mezcals we have ever tried. At that point, we asked why not 40 or 60?
It was clear that Tomas had a deep sentimental value attached to this batch and that a price couldn’t be placed on it. Upon understanding the Maguey Melate project further, from our label that would clearly highlight the producer, the fact that we had the means to share the story behind the bottle, and perhaps most importantly, understanding the type of enthusiasts and art collectors we were able to offer this to, he came to the conclusion that we were best positioned to honor the maestro and the batch.
He almost painfully released 40 liters to us which he said would be the last liters to be sold. The other 40 liters will remain with Tomas, reserved for his special occasions in life and perhaps the occasional copita for special visitors.
There are 108 limited edition 375mL bottles in the US. It may be tempting to not open this collector’s item, but based on the incredible quality and flavor of this batch, Tomas and Melate promote it to be opened and savored on the most special occasions in life.
