Marca Negra is the latest addition to the UK’s growing Mezcal market. I’ve managed to get my teeth into some this past month, after realising that I am yet to feature a Mezcal on my site.
But what is Mezcal?
Well Mezcal is essentially a distilled alcoholic beverage made from the maguey plant (a form of agave) that is native to Mexico. The world ‘Mezcal’ comes from ‘Nahuatl mexcalli’, which essentially means ‘oven cooked agave’. The maguey grows in many parts of Mexico, although most Mezcal is made in Oaxaca.
Today, mezcal is still made from the heart of the maguey plant, called the ‘piña’, much the same way it was 200 years ago when the Spanish were introduced to the native drink, also made from the maguey plant, named pulque. It is here that the Spanish started to experiment with distilling, resulting in Mezcal.
Two expressions are made of the Marca Negra – Espadín and Tobalá. Each is a pure form of the type of agave used (Espadín, however, is the most commonly used agave for Mezcal). The Marca Negra range though is double distilled within copper pot stills before resting and bottling.
As mentioned, I’ve been lucky enough to experience Marca Negra, the Tobalá to be exact, so below, I give to you my tasting notes –
Marca Negra Tobalá – 48%
Dry spice on the nose with light aromas of grass coming through. Smooth on the palate with light whisps of smoke, alongside aromatic spice and dry peat. Stunning.
My belief is to just sip this alone, add nothing. But I did come across one recipe which shows off the versatility (apologies of the name . . . .)
Miley Citrus
Glass –
Hurricane
Ingredients –
60 ml Marca Negra Mezcal
25 ml fresh lime juice
25 ml fresh lemon juice
30 ml orange juice
15 ml sugar syrup
Method –
Combine in ice-filled shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into tall glass. Garnish with orange wheel.
To me, and Mexican culture, Mezcal is to be enjoyed on its own, after a dinner for example. Nothing wrong with mixing it within a cocktail, but I personally think Marca Negra is one to savour, sip and enjoy. Grab yourself a bottle if you can (you can’t miss it, the distinct black hand print holding the bottle is an instant eye-catcher), and experience the world of Mezcal.
© David Marsland and Drinks Enthusiast 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog/sites author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to David Marsland and Drinks Enthusiast with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
DRINKS ENTHUSIAST 