Jabalí is an artisanal mezcal from Convite, produced in the Zapotec mountains of San Baltazar Guelavila, Oaxaca, Mexico. It belongs to the joven category and is made exclusively from wild Jabalí agave. For this expression, Convite uses agaves that take approximately 25 years to mature, with their low yield requiring around 50 kg of agave per liter of mezcal.
Production is overseen by brothers Daniel and Cosme Hernández Martínez. The agave hearts are roasted in a conical blue-stone oven heated with oak firewood, then crushed using a tahona stone wheel. Fermentation occurs naturally with spring water, without accelerators or added flavorings. A distinguishing feature of this expression is triple distillation in copper stills, after which it is bottled at 46% ABV.
Its profile combines pronounced herbal aromas, minty freshness, and hints of spice. On the palate, it is intense, robust, and complex, with fruity notes reminiscent of local Zapotec plums emerging on the finish. It is best served neat to highlight its herbal freshness and lingering fruit notes.
Producer
Convite is a Mexican artisanal mezcal producer from San Baltazar Guelavila, in the state of Oaxaca, founded by local economist and entrepreneur Jorge Vera.
Production is led by brothers Daniel and Cosme “Tucho” Hernández, heirs to a Zapotec tradition spanning generations. All mezcals are produced at a single palenque, or artisanal distillery, allowing each stage to be monitored and controlled.
Mature agaves are roasted using oak firewood, crushed in a mule-drawn mill, and naturally fermented with spring water and local yeasts. The artisanal range undergoes double distillation in copper stills, without fermentation accelerators or added flavorings.
A key feature of Convite’s approach is agave traceability from field to bottle. The Hernández brothers also cultivate varieties that previously grew only in the wild, while the company replants agaves, protects nearby springs, and works with specialists to study local agave species. This makes the conservation of its raw materials part of everyday production and long-term development.