Real Matlatl Tobala Mezcal 750ML

Real Matlatl Tobala Mezcal 750ML is a 48% ABV artisanal mezcal distilled from Tobala agave in Matatlan, Oaxaca, Mexico. This expression earned a Double Gold medal and Best Mezcal designation at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a distinction that signaled its arrival as one of the most compelling Tobala mezcals available.

Quick Facts: ABV: 48%  |  Origin: Matatlan, Oaxaca, Mexico  |  Tobala Agave  |  Distillery: Tacho Fabrica de Mezcal

Production & Heritage

Real Matlatl is produced at Tacho Fabrica de Mezcal in the central valley of Matatlan, Oaxaca — a town widely recognized as the world capital of mezcal. The distillery adheres to a strict non-industrial philosophy: Tobala agave is hand-planted and hand-harvested, then cooked in conical underground ovens using mesquite wood and stone. Crushing is done with a stone tahona pulled by horse, and fermentation takes place in open wooden tanks using only ambient yeast. Double distillation occurs in traditional copper alembic stills, though the distillery also preserves the ancient olla de barro method — clay pot distillation with vapors collected in dried gourds and cooled through bamboo. Central to the production ethos is the belief that metal contact beyond the copper still reduces the agave's natural oils and essences, so no other machinery or metal touches the liquid at any stage.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with pronounced herbal and floral character, suggesting dried wildflowers and green herbs. Beneath the initial lift, subtle minerality and earthy sweetness from the roasted Tobala agave emerge.

Taste: Entry is remarkably clean, moving quickly into a layered mid-palate of Provençal herbs — thyme, rosemary, and lavender come to mind. Sardinia berry-like brightness adds a tart, fruity dimension that balances the herbal core. At 48% ABV, there is enough heat to carry the flavors without overwhelming them.

Finish: The finish is medium-long with lingering herbal dryness and a faint smokiness from the underground pit roasting. A delicate mineral note persists alongside traces of green agave sweetness.

How to Drink Real Matlatl Tobala

This mezcal is best experienced neat at room temperature, sipped slowly to appreciate the Tobala agave's complex herbal and floral profile. A few drops of water can further open the aromatic layers without diluting the structure. For cocktails, the Tobala's distinctive character works well in a Mezcal Negroni, where its herbaceous depth pairs naturally with Campari's bitterness; a Naked and Famous, where the floral notes complement yellow Chartreuse and Aperol; and an Oaxaca Old Fashioned, where the clean agave flavor and light smokiness create an elegant foundation alongside agave syrup and mole bitters.

Best For

• Gifting a mezcal enthusiast who values traditional, small-batch production
• Exploring the Tobala agave varietal alongside other single-agave expressions
• Serving as a centerpiece pour at a curated spirits tasting
• Marking a special occasion with a Double Gold award-winning mezcal

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Real Matlatl Tobala taste like? It presents a clean, herbal, and floral flavor profile with notes of Provençal herbs, tart wild berries, and subtle roasted agave sweetness, all carried by a moderate 48% ABV.

How does Real Matlatl Tobala compare to Del Maguey Tobala? Both are single-village Oaxacan mezcals made from Tobala agave, but Real Matlatl is bottled at a higher 48% ABV (versus Del Maguey Tobala's typical 45%) and is produced with a strict no-metal-contact philosophy using horse-drawn tahona and open wood fermentation. The two represent different mezcalero traditions within the same agave varietal.

Is Real Matlatl Tobala good for sipping neat? Yes — the 48% ABV and remarkably clean distillate make it an excellent neat-sipping mezcal, particularly for those who appreciate herbal and floral complexity over heavy smoke.

Where is Real Matlatl Tobala made? It is produced at Tacho Fabrica de Mezcal in the central valley of Matatlan, Oaxaca, Mexico, a region considered the heartland of mezcal production.

What foods pair well with Real Matlatl Tobala? Grilled shrimp with lime and chili complement the agave's sweetness; aged Oaxacan cheese echoes its earthy minerality; ceviche with tropical fruit mirrors the tart berry notes; mole negro provides roasted, spiced depth that aligns with the mezcal's herbal character; and dark chocolate with sea salt draws out the lingering finish.

What sizes does Real Matlatl Tobala come in? The standard bottle size is 750ml.

Is Real Matlatl Tobala worth the price? It positions as a premium artisanal mezcal, justified by the labor-intensive hand production, scarce Tobala agave, and its Double Gold medal at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition — placing it among the top tier of single-agave mezcals.

Why Real Matlatl Tobala?

Winning Best Mezcal and a Double Gold medal at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition remains the clearest validation of what this expression achieves. The Tobala agave varietal is notoriously difficult to cultivate — slow-growing, low-yielding, and typically found at high elevations — which makes any well-executed Tobala bottling inherently limited. Real Matlatl takes the commitment further by eliminating all metal and machine contact beyond the copper still, preserving a centuries-old Oaxacan production tradition that directly influences the final spirit's character. The result is a mezcal that foregrounds clean agave flavor, herbal complexity, and terroir-driven nuance rather than relying on heavy smoke or high proof to make an impression.