Central WA Mezcal brand earns near perfect rating from Wine Enthusiast
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Mocel Mezcal uses only water and agave as its two ingredients.
- Sisters Rosalinda and Elizabeth Mendoza produce the Cupreata and Ensamble expressions.
- Mocel released 360 Cupreata and 582 Ensamble bottles, totaling 942.
Water and agave are the only ingredients in Mocel Mezcal.
That’s because sisters Rosalinda and Elizabeth Mendoza wanted to create a “clean spirit.”
“(For) most drinkers nowadays, it’s not about drinking more,” Rosalinda said, “but drinking better. That whenever you are going to drink something, that you truly enjoy it.”
With that in mind, the sisters set out to produce a clean spirit meant to be enjoyed on its own. This is the purpose that has followed them since they imported their first bottle of Mezcal in 2022.
They’ve been rewarded with a 95-point rating from Wine Enthusiast, a near perfect score, meaning their Mezcal is “superb.”
Cheers to Mezcal
While Rosalinda and her sister were born and raised in the Yakima Valley, their family is from Michoacán, Mexico, an area that is designated for producing Mezcal.
Rosalinda describes it as being similar to champagne. It only counts if it’s from the right region of France, in the same way Mezcal must come from the right region.
Spending their lives traveling from Yakima to Michoacán and back, they noticed the difference between Mexican Mezcal and U.S. Mezcal. A lot of the Mezcal here has a smokier taste and is created with cocktail-making in mind.
Mocel Mezcal is made differently.
For people who historically don’t like Mezcal, Mocel offers up a challenge.
“From a taste profile,” Rosalinda said, “it’s probably a lot similar to a bourbon or a scotch. Just try different mezcals and you’ll find one that you love.”
To the sisters, earning a 95-point rating from Wine Enthusiast means more than just an award.
“To be able to get a 95 rating, which is really rare for Wine Enthusiasts, as a family-owned, Washington-based company, makes us extremely, extremely proud,” Rosalinda said.
A toast to family
For the Mendoza sisters, Mezcal is in their blood as much as Michoacán, Mexico is.
They hope that connection comes through in their product.
“Traditional Mezcal is really about connection,” Rosalinda said. “Connection to this heritage, the land and then the people that make it, but also the people around you.”
Their small-batch product is something they hope customers are proud to share with those closest to them.
The sisters have two kinds of Mezcal available: Cupreata Expression and Ensamble Expression.
Cupreata Expression is made with Agave Cupreata. It “strikes the right balance with a delicate herbaceous profile,” according to their website. There have only been 360 bottles produced.
The Ensamble Expression is made from three regional agaves. It has “floral and vegetal notes,” according to the website. There are only 582 bottles released.
To learn what pairs best with the Mocel Mezcal options, like which chocolates bring out the underlying notes of the spirit, their blog is where to go.
For those in the Tri-Cities looking to purchase Mocel Mezcal, their website is the best spot to place orders.
Know of a restaurant or bar opening or closing in the Tri-Cities area? Send your tips to emma.zawacki@tricityherald.com
