Miles from the Sea – Topanito Blanco

Today is Cinco de Mayo and I was asked to create cocktails with tequila and Mezcal from Topanito. So, this is exactly what I did. My initial idea was a deconstructed Paloma cocktail which coincidentally also ended up crystal clear. On top of that, I am also presenting an umami laced Mezcal cocktail to you.

Instead of the regular Topanito Blanco Tequila, which already is one of the best value-for-money tequilas out there, I am presenting you the 50 % ABV version. The Casa Maestri distillery in Jalisco produces the complete Topanito range from 100 % agaves. A part of the agaves are cooked in traditional ovens also called “Los Hornos”. Afterwards, the distiller Michael Maestri ferments the agaves with natural yeasts and distils the mash twice on copper pot-stills.

Intense agave, but still smooth

As mentioned above, I am already a fan of the 40 % ABV version of the Topanito Tequila. So, it does not come as a big surprise that I also enjoyed the 50 % bottling. In my opinion, more tequila producers should offer high ABV versions of their regular bottlings! As it is shown here, you get intense agave flavours for your money! In this case, you can also find some grated pepper notes, a certain mineral taste and hints of green chilli.

Crystal clear grapefruit highball

When I started pondering over a cocktail recipe mixed with the Topanito, I soon had the idea of a Paloma version. At first, I wanted to use lime cordial instead of lime juice. However, I soon went for Verjus instead which gave me the opportunity for a clear highball. Additionally, I added the typical Paloma flavours by using the Hiebl Lime Eau de Vie, Giffard Pampelmousse liqueur and saline solution. In the end, I also adjusted the sweet and sour balance with a little simple syrup and topped it all off with simple soda water.

It was quite surprising how similar the tastes of the “Miles from the Sea” and the original Paloma were. You get quite a lot of agave flavours from the tequila with certain fruity elements from the eau de vie and the liqueur. Apart from that, the salt and the mineral water add more mineral notes. All in all, the drink is very refreshing and if you close your eyes, you almost cannot tell that you are not sipping a regular Paloma.

Mezcal in two strengths

The three different tequilas are not the only agave spirits the Topanito brand has to offer. There are also two Mezcals. The first one comes at regular drinking strength of 40 % ABV while the second bottle has an ABV of 52 %. Both are distilled at the Amantes de lo Ajeno distillery from 100 % Espadin agaves. After a growing period of around ten years the pinas are cooked for five to eight days in earthen pits. Next, fermentation takes around five days before the double distillation on pot-stills.

Smoke and a bit less smoke

While both Mezcals taste similar, the difference in ABV also has an impact on the taste of the two spirits. Surprisingly, the one with the higher ABV has less smoke, but more fruit ester and paint thinner characteristics. – If you have not tried Mezcal before, this is a good thing. – Both Mezcals also have mineral notes with some fruity flavours. I guess, it does not come as a surprise that I also prefer the 52 % ABV version here. It just delivers more flavour when mixing cocktails with it.

Kind of a Margarita

Actually, I used both Mezcals for my “Alone Again” cocktail. I admit that it was clearly influenced by the Tommy’s Margarita. However, I wanted to pair the agave spirits with quince liqueur. I cannot quite explain it, but those two flavours go very well together. On top of that, my wife had the idea of also incorporating some umami notes. Her first suggestion was to infuse the Mezcal with dried tomatoes. Yet, I am not a big fan of tomato juice, and I was afraid that this would end up tasting similar. Therefore, I just added a drop of Tomami, a umami forward condiment.

Smoky, spicy Margarita
 

The “Alone Again” starts off with familiar Mezcal Margarita notes. Yet, after a short while you taste the fruitiness of the quince liqueur. Apart from that, the spicy notes of the Tomami and the Szechuan pepper kick in and the drinks becomes more interesting and complex. Of course, you can mix this drink with either one of the two Topanito Mezcals. Either way, this is an interesting and spicy Margarita variation you definitely should check out!

*The fact that I received a product reviewed in this article for free, did not – in any way – influence the rating of said product. The tequila and the Mezcals were provided by Perola GmbH.