Tobalá Joven Artesanal is a mezcal from Mezcal Carreño in Oaxaca, Mexico, made exclusively from Tobalá agave. The agaves are harvested after approximately 12 years of maturation, while the mezcal itself is not aged in wooden barrels.
The agave hearts are roasted in a wood-fired underground oven, crushed using a stone wheel known as a tahona, and fermented in wooden vats. Carreño uses copper stills for its artisanal expressions, and Tobalá is bottled at 46% alcohol by volume.
Clear in appearance, it has an expressive aroma combining dried fruit and floral notes. The palate reveals a distinctive blend of almonds, toasted notes, and ash, alongside vegetal hints of agave leaf and chives. Its bold character leads into a complex, lingering finish. It is best explored neat, in small, slow sips.
Producer
Mezcal Carreño is a family-owned mezcal producer from San Dionisio Ocotlán, in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. Its production tradition began in 1904, when Apolonio Carreño started making mezcal from wild agaves growing on the family estate.
Initially, the mezcal was made for family and friends and served on birthdays, at the start of the planting season, and at the end of the harvest. This tradition evolved into today’s range, drawing on knowledge passed down through generations and the diverse agaves of Oaxaca’s Central Valleys.
The producer uses artisanal and ancestral methods, including distillation in copper stills and clay pots, to create mezcals whose distinct characters reflect the origin of the agave and the production techniques used.
Today, Carreño operates in the premium mezcal segment, with international distribution. Its approach to future development centers on preserving traditional production, replanting agave, and supporting local communities.