{"product_id":"mal-bien-espada-n-fa©lix-rama-rez-mendez","title":"Mal Bien Espadín Félix Ramírez Mendez","description":"\u003cp\u003eMal Bien is a collection of agave spirits from small producers throughout Mexico, curated by spirits nerds and agave lovers during their travels in search of the delicious, authentic, and interesting.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMal Bien Espadin from Félix Ramírez Mendez is produced in the village of Yogana which is located at the southern end of the Ejutla district of Oaxaca. Like his neighbors, Félix is a full-time farmer. However, Félix is also a part-time mezcalero who works with several species of agave which are planted between rows of seasonal crops like corn, squash, and beans. He distills on equipment unique to Ejutla that allow his spirits can reach proof in a single pass. Mal Bien was the first brand to commercially release mezcal from Félix Ramírez.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3 class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE BASICS (MARCH, 2020)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow old are you, and how long have you been making mezcal?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFélix\u003c\/strong\u003e: I’m 47 now, and I was 17 when I made my first batch.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many generations has you family been producing mezcal?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFélix\u003c\/strong\u003e: The first was my father, and now me.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many years has your family been using your palenque?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFélix\u003c\/strong\u003e: I built the palenque that we use 25 years ago.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo you have a philosophy on how great mezcal should be made?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFélix\u003c\/strong\u003e: We don’t make very many liters, so it’s important to take make them all as well as we can. I try to think about the quality during the entire process.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3 class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePRODUCTION\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDistilling Season(s):\u003c\/strong\u003e October-May\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWoods Used in Oven:\u003c\/strong\u003e Encino (Quercus sp.), Guaje (Leucaena spp.), Guamuche (Pithecellobium dulce)\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOven Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9 tons\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCook Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3 Days\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRest between Oven and Mill: \u003c\/strong\u003e5 Days\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMill Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ox drawn tahona\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFermentation vessel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Open air sabino (Taxodium mucronatum) tinas\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Source:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFermentation Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3-5 Days\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStill Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Copper Alambiques (400 liters) with refrescadera\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRefrescadera:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cooling water circulates during distillation. The montera has two plates to increase reflux.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp class=\"preFlex flexIn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDistillations:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Top Shelf Wine \u0026 Spirits","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51379976536277,"sku":"TSW\u0026S_VWS200426062","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0721\/7810\/6581\/files\/TSproductimage-Recoveredcopy_0ec35a0f-c611-4bf5-890e-dd806560c02f.png?v=1744809006","url":"https:\/\/www.swiglab.com\/products\/mal-bien-espada-n-fa%c2%a9lix-rama-rez-mendez","provider":"SwigLab","version":"1.0","type":"link"}