Agua Magica Mezcal Joven 750ML

Agua Magica Mezcal Joven 750ML is an artisanal Oaxacan mezcal blending Espadin and Tobalá agave, bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750ml format. Awarded a Triple Gold Medal at the 2021 MicroLiquor Spirit Awards and scored 90 points by Wine Enthusiast, this joven expression stands out for its use of 15-year-old Tobalá alongside 7-year-old Espadin — a combination that delivers unusual depth for an unaged mezcal.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 Proof)  |  Origin: San Juan del Rio, Oaxaca, Mexico  |  Joven (Unaged)  |  Mezcalero: Rogelio Juan Hernandez (NOM-O638X)

Production & Heritage

Agua Magica is produced by mezcalero Rogelio Juan Hernandez in San Juan del Rio, Oaxaca, drawing on five generations of distilling tradition. The agave — 7-year-old Espadin and 15-year-old Tobalá — is roasted in a traditional earthen pit oven for 24 hours, then crushed using a horse-drawn tahona stone wheel. The mash ferments naturally in open wooden vats over 7 to 8 days before undergoing double distillation in copper pot stills. Notably, the brand reinvests 5% of its annual profits back into the mezcalero community, funding certifications and support for local producers — a tangible commitment that goes beyond marketing.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Cooked maguey arrives first, followed by subtle wisps of earthen smoke, ripe banana, and roasted almonds. Tropical fruit undertones — think melon and hints of green herbal freshness — emerge as the spirit opens up in the glass.

Taste: The entry is soft and herbal, with cooked agave sweetness leading into a mid-palate layered with banana, almond, and gentle caramel. Cucumber, melon, and a flash of green chili add brightness, while a mouthwatering salinity plays along the edges and keeps everything balanced. Smokiness builds gradually with each sip rather than dominating from the start.

Finish: Medium in length with a mineral-driven, lightly smoky fade and lingering notes of vanilla and roasted agave. The salinity persists, leaving the palate clean and inviting another taste.

How to Drink Agua Magica

Sipping neat at room temperature rewards patience — the Tobalá component reveals more complexity as the spirit warms. A few drops of water can help open up the tropical fruit characteristics. For cocktails, consider these:

• Mezcal Paloma: The banana and melon notes complement grapefruit soda beautifully, while the smoke adds a savory backbone.
• Oaxacan Old Fashioned: Swap half the reposado tequila for Agua Magica; its caramel and almond depth enriches the agave-forward classic.
• Mezcal Negroni: The herbal freshness and mineral salinity stand up to Campari's bitterness without being overpowered.

Best For

• Introducing a mezcal enthusiast to a Tobalá-influenced blend at an accessible proof
• Building an artisanal mezcal collection focused on Oaxacan terroir
• Hosting a mezcal tasting flight comparing single-agave and blended expressions
• Gifting someone who values community-minded, small-batch spirits

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Agua Magica taste like? Agua Magica Mezcal Joven delivers cooked agave sweetness layered with banana, almond, caramel, and green herbal notes, underpinned by a mouthwatering salinity and gradually building smokiness.

How does Agua Magica compare to Montelobos Mezcal? Both are artisanal Oaxacan mezcals positioned as quality-forward options, but Agua Magica distinguishes itself by blending Espadin with 15-year-old Tobalá agave, adding tropical fruit complexity and mineral depth not typically found in Montelobos' 100% Espadin profile. Montelobos leans more toward bright citrus and straightforward smoke.

Is Agua Magica good for sipping neat? Yes — the 40% ABV makes it approachable neat, and the Tobalá component rewards slow sipping by gradually revealing layers of tropical fruit, herbs, and mineral notes.

Where is Agua Magica made? Agua Magica is produced by mezcalero Rogelio Juan Hernandez in San Juan del Rio, a village in the Oaxaca region of southern Mexico known as the heartland of mezcal production.

What foods pair well with Agua Magica? Grilled shrimp with lime (the salinity echoes the spirit's mineral edge), mole negro (its roasted complexity mirrors the cooked agave and almond notes), fresh ceviche (the cucumber and melon flavors align naturally), dark chocolate with chili (amplifies the green chili and caramel), and aged Oaxacan cheese (its sharpness balances the banana sweetness).

What sizes does Agua Magica come in? Agua Magica Mezcal Joven is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Agua Magica worth the price? Agua Magica positions as a mid-premium artisanal mezcal, and the inclusion of 15-year-old Tobalá agave — which is rare, wild-harvested, and slower-growing than Espadin — adds genuine value that justifies its place above entry-level mezcals.

Why Agua Magica?

The blend of cultivated Espadin and wild Tobalá agave is the defining feature here — Tobalá takes roughly twice as long to mature as Espadin, and its inclusion at 15 years of age contributes a mineral complexity and tropical fruit character that pure Espadin mezcals rarely achieve. The 90-point Wine Enthusiast rating and Triple Gold at the 2021 MicroLiquor Spirit Awards confirm this is more than a novelty blend. Traditional production — earthen pit roasting, tahona crushing, open-air wooden vat fermentation, and copper pot distillation — ensures the agave character translates faithfully into the glass. Add the brand's commitment to reinvesting in the mezcalero community, and Agua Magica earns its place as a distinctive, purpose-driven choice within the artisanal mezcal category.