A delicacy from Oaxaca

One time in Oaxaca, i stumbled upon a small hole in the wall mescal shop. When my friend and i first wandered in, we found a girl who was around eight years old working behind the counter. Not knowing what to buy, i began to ask without thinking. I almost said " what would you recommend?" but realized the ridiculousness of the question, and asked instead, "which one sells the most?" She handed me a bottle of reposado. She looked indifferent as a cab driver from a big city might, as i didn't know immediately what i wanted, she had a look of annoyance on her face as if she was saying, "buy something or get the hell out". the whole transaction was a surreal one but the mescal was the real deal, very different than what you get around here. Surely there are many other producers who are on the level but they remain obscured and unnamed. Since then i return to the same shop when passing through.

The first time i drank the agave was ten years ago. I have never crossed the line of too much with this beast as i have been warned. I never really understood what the big deal was, everyone has had too much to drink before, but i could see that those who cautioned me were sincere, and also that all were in unanimous agreement.

Two weeks ago i saw the dragon. I went all the way to the mountain and saw the old man in his cave and with a single glance he told me that i was far away from home, far from where i belong.

I have never been so affected by alcohol before, waking up spinning drunk with a psychedelic twist. ohh the colors and the sickness, the cactus lingered long after the drunk had departed.

Mezcal and tequila are similer but come from different regions like Bourbon or champagne. Both are made of pure agave but mezcal tends to be a little stronger. Monte Alban and Oro de Oaxaca are the only two brands that are common around here. They are only 40 percent however and have never produced quite the same effect. I asked at a liquor store if any other brands were available and was told that there was a third kind that the distributor carried but that he never ordered it anyway for lack of a market, that one case lasted almost a year. Doesn't look like it will get here any time soon so if you make it south of the border, keep on the lookout for rare treats such as this. (More photos to come)