Papalometl Lima 375 mL – José Erubiel

A third distillation, and a very unusual guest inside the still.

In Zapotitlán Lagunas, a village in Oaxaca's culturally distinct La Mixteca region (where Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Puebla quietly overlap), maestro mezcalero José Erubiel Mota Martínez is known for his exceptional Papalometl — a rare wild agave prized for its bright, floral fruitiness. For this expression, he takes his mezcal through a third distillation, and during that final pass, adds fresh limes, cut in half, directly into the pot.

Inspired by Pechuga, Reinvented with Citrus

The technique echoes the logic behind a traditional pechuga mezcal — infusing a spirit during its final distillation to add a new layer of character — but instead of fruit, meat, or spices, José uses limes alone, letting their oils and acidity fold directly into the vapor. It's a subtle intervention that doesn't cover up the base spirit — it lifts it.

What to Expect in the Glass

The nose stays close to José's classic Papalometl — familiar, rich, and aromatic — but with bright lime peel now cutting through it. On the palate, the citrus really takes over: everything brightens, the richness lightens, and a lively acidity carries the sip all the way through. Compared to his standard Papalometl or his Pechuga, this version trades depth for lift — a genuinely different way to experience the same base spirit.

Why This Bottle Matters

José's mastery of Papalometl is already well-documented among serious collectors — but this lime-infused third distillation shows a producer still experimenting within his own tradition, finding new dimensions in an agave he clearly knows inside and out.

Try it side-by-side with José's standard Papalometl or Pechuga — a genuinely fascinating three-way comparison of one base spirit, three distinct expressions.