Adela del Carmen Cruz Antonio
Catederal de Mi Padre
46%
NAS
Launched in 2022 by father-daughter duo Jeff and Sydney Block, Catedral de Mi Padre takes the "single village" approach of recruiting mezcals from various families and palenques dotted throughout Oaxaca. What we have here is the brand's Mexicano, made from agaves that typically grow between 6-10 years before distillation. Production was headed up by Adela del Carmen Cruz Antonio. According to the brand, Adela took over the family mezcal business at the age of 14 when her father fell ill; years later, her father has made a full recovery and the duo are now distilling spirits side by side. A heartwarming if oddly specific parallel to the creation of Catedral de Mi Padre. Locals in the mountains of Oaxaca are said to have nicknamed Adela "The Mezcal Girl."
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Springy, perfumed scents of orange blossom, lilac, rosemary and marigold petals. Hidden within is some feta cheese funk, roasted corn and a pleasant sweet plantain note. A succinct little appetizer of an aroma if there ever was one.
Starts off strong with a wave of tart vegetables. Green beans, basil, cilantro stems, raw agave and hay, some black olive and that lactic note hinted at on the aroma. No single flavor dominates the palate; instead, it feels more like a thoroughly mixed salad topped with a sprinkle of salt. Ash lurks around in the background, as does a hint of black tea bitterness.
A short, to-the-point finish makes room for hay, crunchy bell peppers, black pepper and wood chips.
A nice mix of flavors that lays just beyond what you'd find in a standard Espadin. Complex enough to demand solo sipping, and approachable enough to convert newcomers. There's a lot to like in its lively, seasonal vibe that feels firmly rooted in terroir and production technique.
87
Disclosure: The producer provided this sample to review free of charge, and without expectation of review or rating.
