Los Danzantes Pechuga is a distinctive artisanal mezcal from Oaxaca that takes traditional Espadín mezcal and subjects it to a ceremonial third distillation with seasonal fruits, spices and a free range chicken breast suspended inside the still. It is produced under Maestra Mezcalera Karina Abad Rojas and bottled at a substantial 48% ABV.
The base spirit begins with 100% Espadín agave (Agave angustifolia) grown in Oaxaca's Valle and Sierra Norte regions. The agave is cooked underground in a conical pit oven fired with white oak, crushed by a traditional horse drawn stone mill and naturally fermented for six days in 800-litre wooden vats with native yeasts. It then undergoes two distillations in small 250 litre copper stills.
Then things get considerably more interesting.
For the third distillation, Los Danzantes adds a selection of spices and seasonal regional fruits, while a chicken breast is suspended in the upper section of the still. This traditional pechuga technique adds layers of aroma, texture and savoury complexity rather than making the spirit taste overtly of chicken. After distillation, Los Danzantes colours the mezcal with cochineal (Dactylopius coccus), giving it its remarkable bright garnet-red appearance.
This is a genuinely unusual mezcal and one that makes considerably more sense when sipped slowly than thrown into a cocktail.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Bright garnet red – particularly unusual for an unaged mezcal and derived from the addition of cochineal after distillation.
Nose: Aromatic and complex, led by anise and citrus, particularly orange, with tamarind adding a sweet-sour fruitiness. Beneath the brighter aromas sit roasted agave, spice and gentle smoke.
Palate: Fresh and vibrant despite the substantial 48% ABV. Orange zest and fresh lemon juice lead the palate, followed by cooked agave, warming spice and a subtle savoury character from the traditional Pechuga distillation.
Finish: Long, warming and layered, with lingering citrus oils, spice, roasted agave and a restrained smoky-savoury character.
Technical Details
Producer: Los Danzantes
Country: Mexico
Region: Oaxaca
Classification: Mezcal Artesanal – Destilado con Pechuga
Agave: 100% Espadín (Agave angustifolia)
Agave Origin: Valle & Sierra Norte, Oaxaca
Maestra Mezcalera: Karina Abad Rojas
Cooking: Underground conical wood-fired oven
Fuel: White oak
Milling: Horse-drawn stone mill
Fermentation: Natural fermentation for 6 days in 800L wooden vats with native yeasts
Distillation: Initial double distillation in 250L copper stills, followed by a third Pechuga distillation
Third Distillation: Seasonal regional fruits, spices and free-range chicken breast
Colouring: Cochineal (Dactylopius coccus)
ABV: 48%
Bottle Size: 750ml
What is Pechuga Mezcal?
Pechuga literally means "breast" in Spanish, referring to the traditional practice of suspending meat most commonly poultry inside the still during an additional distillation. The vapours pass around it during distillation, while fruits and spices are incorporated into the process.
The result isn't "chicken flavoured mezcal." Instead, the technique contributes texture and subtle savoury complexity while allowing the fruit, spice and agave character to become unusually layered.
Los Danzantes Pechuga is especially unusual because of its vivid garnet colour from cochineal. Between the third distillation, seasonal ingredients, 48% strength and striking appearance, this is one of those bottles where the production story is almost as interesting as what's actually in the glass.
