like the natural cycles of the moon

In a Glass

Product: BEU New Moon
Origin: Santa María La Pila, Miahuatlán, Oaxaca, Mexico
Category: Agave Spirit Mezcal Artesanal style
ABV: 48 %
Agave: Espadín capón botanic name Agave angustifolia

Tasting Notes

Appearance
Crystal clear with oily tears

Nose
Clean and vibrant agave, fresh herbs, citrus, delicate smoke, and a touch of white pepper.  

Palate
Full-bodied yet elegant, with ripe agave sweetness, herbal tones, light minerality, and subtle smokiness. Smooth and rounded in texture.  

Finish
Long, earthy, and spicy, balancing freshness, sweetness, and gentle smoke.  

Production

First of all I have to specify BEU New Moon is an Agave Spirit, it’s not a Mezcal, at least not legally speaking. It’s made like a Mezcal Artesenal, it tastes and smells like one, so where is the problem? Since February 2017 NOM-070-SCFI-2016 is passed into law, it is the Mezcal-Norm which regulates the production of Mezcal. BEU states that they do not want to subject traditional producers to regulatory requirements; that’s why BEU New Moon isn’t officially a Mezcal. I might also want to mention that certification under this standard is not free. There are fees for registration as well as for subsequent regular laboratory analyses and volume-based charges, costs that are often difficult for smaller producers to bear.

Now, the production of BEU New Moon, this Agave Spirit is made in Santa María La Pila, Miahuatlán by Maestra Destiladora Refugia Cortés Ramos. She and her family make the Mezcal under the philosophy of family, tradition, nature. Refugia describes her father as her teacher. They follow different Rituals while making their Spirit.

The Base is made out Espadin Capon, “Capon” refers to the practice of “castrating” the plant just before it flowers (“capon” being the Spanish word for “castrated”) which means cutting off the flower stalk as close to the piña as possible which leads in more sugar in the piña because the plant needs no energy for the blossom. The botanical name of the agave variety Espadin is agave angustifolia and the plant has to grow about 9 to 10 years, after so many years of taking care of the agave, it’s understandable that one doesn’t simply view the plant as just any ordinary plant. 

After the Harvest the piña is cooked in a conical earth oven, while the agave is cooking the whole family sits around the oven, sometimes they throw a bit of chilli in the oven to drive away evil spirits. The process can take several days.

After cooking the agave the piña has to be broken up, and for BEU New Moon they take a Bull driven mill, also known as “Tahona”.

The fermentation takes place in wooden barrels and it’s fully natural to enhance the taste of the Agave Spirit and connect it to the place.

BEU New Moon is only distilled once in a copper still with refrescadera, the philosophy of Refugia is to preserve as much of the agave’s character as possible that’s why she makes a Single Distillation. 

After production, a little bit of mezcal is returned to the earth as part of ritual and part of Traditional Craftsmanship. 

History

BEU spirits are a relatively young brand, the idea for BEU started in 2012, as three friends were in Mexico at a Mezcal tasting. The Vision for an authentication Agave Spirit from Mexico for Europe was born. Spirits that are made with heart and soul. 

A bit later the story was changed from Vision to Reality, with Fabienne and Chris based in Zürich, Switzerland on the otherside Dani and Lalo in Berlin Germany, they bring Agave Spirits from Oaxaca to Europe – made with heart and soul. They didn’t choose the name ‘beu’ just like that. BEU is the zapotec word for Moon.The choice of name alone reveals the importance they place on the connection to the agave’s origins and on sustainability. 

My Take

Some people think Mezcal is all about smoke, till I tried BEU’s New Moon i also thought the power of Mezcals comes from the smoke but they proved me wrong. This spirit had me the first time I tried it. It’s powerful and full of taste and is incredibly long-lasting and for its alcohol content, it is incredibly smooth. The herbal and citrusy smell, then in the mouth this sweetness and herbs and with a long earthy finish got me.

  Also, I have to admit that it’s not just the taste.The pull of something created with love, dedication, and passion is undeniable . The philosophy of production, the closeness to tradition got me.  

Best Used In

neat
in Cocktails