Del Maguey Las Milpas 750ML

Del Maguey Las Milpas 750ML is a single-village mezcal from Oaxaca, Mexico, bottled at 46% ABV (92 proof) in a 750ml format. This expression earned a Grand Gold at the 2023 TAG Global Spirits Awards and a Gold Medal at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, cementing its reputation as one of the standout bottlings in the Del Maguey portfolio.

Quick Facts: ABV: 46%  |  Origin: Oaxaca, Mexico  |  Style: Single-Village Mezcal  |  Producer: Anastacio Cruz Antonio & Sons

Production & Heritage

Del Maguey Las Milpas is produced by palenquero Anastacio Cruz Antonio alongside his sons Rigoberto, Abel, and Pedro in the remote village of Las Milpas, situated high above San Dionisio Ocotopec in the mountains of Oaxaca. The 100% Espadín agave is roasted in a distinctive earthen horno carved directly into the granite hillside — a feature unique to this village that imparts a pronounced mineral character found in few other mezcals. After roasting, the agave is milled using a horse-drawn tahona, naturally fermented in open-air wooden vats, and twice distilled in wood-fired copper stills.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with slate and crushed minerals before shifting into tropical fruit and pippin apple. Beneath that initial wave, subtle popcorn-like aromas and a gentle smokiness emerge, grounded by hints of butter and fresh berries.

Taste: The entry is bright with citrus and lemon zest, moving into a complex mid-palate of lavender, tarragon, and pea shoots. As it develops, roasted agave anchors the profile, joined by black pepper, dried fig, and a streak of green pepper that adds a vegetal dimension. Agave sugars and a mineral backbone hold everything in elegant balance.

Finish: Long and dry, with lingering smoke, scorched vegetation, and roasted meat undertones. Black pepper and a faint lime acidity persist well after the final sip.

How to Drink Las Milpas

This mezcal rewards patient sipping — serve it neat in a copita or wide-mouthed glass to let the mineral and fruit aromatics fully open. A few drops of water can soften the smoke and amplify the floral lavender notes.

• Oaxaca Old Fashioned: The granite-roasted smoke and dried fig sweetness stand up to the agave syrup and mole bitters without fading.
• Mezcal Negroni: The mineral backbone and herbal complexity of Las Milpas cut through Campari's bitterness, creating a more layered riff on the classic.
• Division Bell: The tropical fruit and citrus notes pair naturally with maraschino and Aperol, holding their own against bold co-ingredients.

Best For

• Gifting a mezcal enthusiast who values terroir-driven single-village expressions
• Building a collection of artisanal Oaxacan mezcals for side-by-side comparison
• Hosting a guided tasting exploring how production methods shape agave spirits
• Celebrating a milestone occasion with a critically acclaimed, award-winning bottle

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Las Milpas taste like? Las Milpas delivers a layered profile of roasted agave, slate minerals, dried fig, black pepper, and citrus zest, balanced by floral lavender and vegetal green pepper notes. The finish is notably long and dry with lingering smoke.

How does Las Milpas compare to Del Maguey Tobalá? Del Maguey's Tobalá expression has been described as evoking the Las Milpas bottling to some degree, sharing a mineral elegance. However, Las Milpas uses 100% Espadín agave roasted in a granite hillside horno, giving it a more pronounced earthy, smoky character than the wild-harvested Tobalá.

Is Las Milpas good for sipping neat? Yes — at 46% ABV, Las Milpas is specifically designed for contemplative sipping, with enough complexity and length on the finish to reward unhurried drinking without cocktail support.

Where is Las Milpas made? Las Milpas is produced in the small mountain village of Las Milpas, located high above San Dionisio Ocotopec in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. The remote location and unique granite terrain directly influence the mezcal's distinctive mineral profile.

What foods pair well with Las Milpas? Grilled lamb chops complement the smoky, roasted-meat undertones. Fresh ceviche mirrors the citrus and mineral notes. Mole negro echoes the dried fig and pepper complexity. Aged Oaxacan cheese highlights the butter and vegetal qualities. Dark chocolate with sea salt amplifies the long, dry finish.

What sizes does Las Milpas come in? Del Maguey Las Milpas is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Las Milpas worth the price? Las Milpas positions as a premium single-village mezcal within the Del Maguey range, justified by its handcrafted production — horse-drawn tahona milling, natural fermentation, and a granite hillside horno found nowhere else. Its Grand Gold and Gold Medal accolades from 2023 further validate its standing in the category.

Why Las Milpas?

What separates Las Milpas from the wider mezcal landscape is its granite hillside horno — the agave literally roasts inside the mountain, absorbing mineral character that no standard conical pit oven can replicate. That production detail, combined with horse-drawn tahona milling and natural open-air fermentation, produces a mezcal that scored 93 points from Tastings.com and earned Grand Gold at the 2023 TAG Global Spirits Awards. Few single-village expressions carry this level of critical validation alongside genuinely unique terroir-driven production. For anyone serious about understanding how place shapes flavor in mezcal, this bottle is essential reference material.