Peloton de da Muerte Mezcal Pechuga 750ML

Peloton de la Muerte Mezcal Pechuga 750ML is a vegan pechuga mezcal from Guerrero, Mexico, bottled at 45.1% ABV (90.2 proof) in a 750ml bottle. What sets this expression apart is its striking citrus-forward profile, achieved by suspending oranges, mandarins, mint, anise, and cinnamon inside an Arabic still during the second distillation—replacing the chicken breast traditionally used in pechuga production.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45.1%  |  Origin: Mazatlán, Guerrero, Mexico  |  Pechuga (Vegan)  |  Mezcalero: Rodolfo Obregón

Production & Heritage

Peloton de la Muerte's Pechuga expression is produced by mezcalero Rodolfo Obregón in the small town of Mazatlán in Guerrero, a state increasingly recognized for its distinctive wild agave terroir. The base spirit is made from a field blend of two wild Guerrero agaves—Maguey Criollo (Agave angustifolia rubescens) and Maguey Ancho (Agave cupreata)—which are roasted and distilled together. During the second pass through an Arabic-style copper still, a basket of whole oranges, mandarins, fresh mint, anise, and cinnamon sticks hangs inside the still head, allowing the rising vapors to extract aromatic compounds. No animal protein is used, making this a fully vegan pechuga—a meaningful departure from the centuries-old tradition of hanging raw chicken or turkey breast in the still.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Immediately bright and fruit-driven, opening with vivid orange peel and mandarin zest before moving into softer notes of orange creamsicle and a subtle anise-mint herbal layer. There is a faint mineral smokiness underneath that anchors the nose in mezcal territory.

Taste: The entry is juicy and almost effervescent, dominated by ruby red grapefruit, navel orange, and Meyer lemon. Mid-palate, a grenadine-like sweetness and boozy strawberry-lemonade character emerge alongside the herbaceous backbone of wild agave. The cupreata brings an earthy complexity that keeps the citrus from veering into one-dimensional sweetness.

Finish: Medium-long and textured, with lingering grapefruit pith bitterness balanced by a cooling mint note. The wild agave minerality resurfaces as the fruit recedes, leaving a dry, clean close.

How to Drink Peloton Pechuga

Sipping neat at room temperature is the best way to appreciate the aromatic complexity that the pechuga distillation imparts; a few drops of water can open up the more delicate herbal layers. For cocktails, this expression's dramatic citrus character works exceptionally well in these three:

• Oaxacan Old Fashioned — the bright orange notes amplify the classic orange-peel garnish while the agave backbone holds up against the bitters.
• Mezcal Paloma — the inherent grapefruit quality in the spirit reinforces the grapefruit soda, creating a layered and cohesive drink.
• Naked & Famous — the citrus-forward profile and vegan-pechuga aromatics add nuance alongside Aperol, yellow Chartreuse, and lime.

Best For

• Mezcal enthusiasts exploring pechuga expressions beyond Oaxaca
• Vegan or plant-based spirits collectors seeking authentic pechuga without animal products
• Cocktail bartenders looking for a citrus-driven mezcal that adds complexity to shaken drinks
• Gifting someone who already owns the standard Peloton de la Muerte lineup

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Peloton Pechuga taste like? It presents an intensely citrus-driven flavor profile—ruby red grapefruit, navel orange, and Meyer lemon—layered over herbaceous wild agave and a subtle mineral smokiness. There is a creamsicle-like sweetness and a boozy strawberry-lemonade quality that makes it one of the more fruit-forward pechugas available.

How does Peloton Pechuga compare to traditional meat-based pechugas? Traditional pechugas distilled with chicken or turkey breast tend to deliver a richer, more savory and umami-laden character, while this vegan pechuga leans heavily into bright citrus and herbal aromatics. Both styles share the textural roundness that pechuga distillation provides, but the fruit-and-herb basket here creates a noticeably lighter, more vibrant spirit.

Is Peloton Pechuga good for sipping neat? Yes—its 45.1% ABV and complex aromatic layers from the pechuga distillation make it well-suited to neat consumption, where the interplay of citrus, mint, and wild agave can be fully appreciated.

Where is Peloton Pechuga made? It is produced by mezcalero Rodolfo Obregón in Mazatlán, a village in the state of Guerrero, Mexico. Guerrero is a less commercially prominent mezcal-producing region than Oaxaca but is known for its wild cupreata and angustifolia agaves.

What foods pair well with Peloton Pechuga? Ceviche with citrus-marinated shrimp highlights the spirit's bright acidity. Mole amarillo complements the herbal and anise notes. Fresh goat cheese with honeycomb mirrors the creamsicle sweetness. Grilled pineapple with chili-lime seasoning echoes the tropical citrus character. Dark chocolate with candied orange peel ties into the mandarin aromatics.

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

Is Peloton Pechuga worth the price? Pechuga mezcals carry a premium over standard expressions because the additional distillation pass with aromatic ingredients increases production time and cost. This bottling positions in the mid-to-upper tier for pechuga mezcals, and its use of wild Guerrero agaves—harder to source than cultivated espadín—adds legitimate value relative to more commercial pechugas.

Why Peloton Pechuga?

This bottling is one of a small number of vegan pechugas on the market, replacing the traditional animal protein with a carefully chosen combination of citrus fruits, mint, anise, and cinnamon. The dual-agave field blend of Agave cupreata and Agave angustifolia rubescens—both wild-harvested in Guerrero—gives the spirit a regional identity that most Oaxaca-centric pechuga releases cannot replicate. The resulting flavor profile is dramatically citrus-forward, standing apart from the savory, umami-rich character associated with conventional pechugas. For drinkers seeking a genuinely different expression within the pechuga category, this Guerrero bottling delivers an experience that is difficult to find elsewhere.