Montelobos Ensamble Mezcal 750ML

Montelobos Ensamble Mezcal 750ML is a multi-agave mezcal bottled at 45.3% ABV (90.6 proof) that blends Cupreata, Espadín, and distillation tails from the brand's Tobalá expression. Awarded 94 points by Tastings.com, this ensamble stands out for its unconventional use of Tobalá cola—a production detail that adds uncommon depth and complexity to the final spirit.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45.3%  |  Origin: Puebla, Mexico  |  Ensamble (Multi-Agave Blend)  |  Palenque de Tentzo, San Nicolás Huajuapan

Production & Heritage

Montelobos Ensamble is distilled by mezcalero Aarón Alva at Palenque de Tentzo in San Nicolás Huajuapan, Puebla. The blend is built from approximately 53% agave Cupreata and 35% maguey Espadín (Agave angustifolia), with the remaining portion coming from the tails—or colas—of the Montelobos Tobalá distillation run. Piñas are roasted in an underground fire pit lined with volcanic stone for five to seven days, then hand-cut with machetes and processed through a mechanical shredder mill to extract the agave nectar. Fermentation takes place in open-air pine vats over seven to ten days before the liquid undergoes double distillation in copper pot stills. The incorporation of Tobalá tails is an unusual technique: rather than discarding or redistilling those heavier fractions separately, Alva folds them into the ensamble to contribute additional body and aromatic nuance.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Smoke arrives first but without aggression, followed by roasted root vegetables and dehydrated pineapple. Deeper inhalation reveals dry hay, aged leather, and a subtle salted-caramel sweetness.

Taste: The entry is warm and moderately sweet, with cooked quince and candied citrus peel giving way to a mid-palate of capers, nutmeg, and mango. At its peak, pink pepper and a distinct salinity emerge, balanced by a caramel richness that keeps the smoke in check.

Finish: Medium-long with lingering leather, warm spice, and a faint candied strawberry note. The smoke returns gently at the tail end, underscoring the agave character without overwhelming it.

How to Drink Montelobos Ensamble

Neat in a copita or wide-rimmed glass at room temperature is the ideal primary serve, allowing the Cupreata's fruit and the Tobalá tails' weight to express fully. A few drops of water can open up the floral and citrus dimensions if the 45.3% ABV feels assertive. For cocktails:

• Oaxacan Old Fashioned — The ensamble's layered smoke and caramel stand up beautifully against agave syrup and mole bitters, adding dimension a single-agave mezcal often lacks.
• Mezcal Paloma — Pink pepper spice and citrus peel notes amplify grapefruit soda, creating a savory, effervescent drink.
• Naked & Famous — The spirit's natural sweetness and moderate smoke balance Aperol and yellow Chartreuse without being bulldozed by either.

Best For

• Mezcal drinkers exploring ensamble-style blends beyond single-agave expressions
• Gifting to a spirits enthusiast who values unusual production techniques
• Anchoring a mezcal tasting flight alongside Tobalá and Espadín bottlings
• Elevating a home cocktail bar with a versatile, higher-proof mezcal

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Montelobos Ensamble taste like? It leads with roasted agave and moderate smoke, then develops into cooked quince, caramel, pink pepper, and a savory salinity, with leather and spice lingering on the finish.

How does Montelobos Ensamble compare to Bozal Ensamble? Bozal Ensamble blends Espadín, Barril, and Mexicano agaves and tends toward a more floral, citrus-forward profile designed for approachability. Montelobos Ensamble uses Cupreata and Espadín plus Tobalá distillation tails, resulting in a heavier body with more pronounced smoke, leather, and spice character.

Is Montelobos Ensamble good for sipping neat? Yes—its 45.3% ABV provides enough intensity for a satisfying neat pour, while the multi-agave blend delivers the complexity that rewards slow sipping.

Where is Montelobos Ensamble made? It is produced at Palenque de Tentzo in San Nicolás Huajuapan, Puebla, Mexico, by mezcalero Aarón Alva using cultivated agaves sourced from the Puebla region.

What foods pair well with Montelobos Ensamble? Grilled carne asada benefits from the smoke and pepper synergy. Oaxacan mole negro echoes the spirit's caramel-spice backbone. Aged Manchego or Cotija cheese mirrors its salinity. Dark chocolate with sea salt highlights the candied fruit notes. Ceviche with mango provides a bright counterpoint to the leather and smoke.

What sizes does Montelobos Ensamble come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Montelobos Ensamble worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium ensamble mezcal, and the 94-point rating from Tastings.com along with its unique Tobalá-tail blending technique make it a strong value compared to similarly scored multi-agave mezcals.

Why Montelobos Ensamble?

The defining detail here is the incorporation of Tobalá distillation tails into the blend—a technique rarely seen in commercially available ensamble mezcals. That choice gives the spirit a weight and aromatic complexity that a straightforward Cupreata-Espadín blend would not achieve on its own. The 94-point score from Tastings.com validates the approach, placing this expression in competitive territory among rated multi-agave mezcals at its price tier. For drinkers who already appreciate Montelobos Espadín or Tobalá as standalone bottlings, the Ensamble functions as a bridge between the two—smokier and more structured than the former, more accessible than the latter.