The Tobalá maguey belongs to the scientific family Agave Potatorum. Its rose shape makes it a notable beauty. Tobalá is one of the most abundant magueys in our community and a special favorite to distill of Leo Hernadez. This type of wild agave is characteristic to the dry, interior lands of the Sierra Madre del Sur and the Sierra de Oaxaca, where it thrives in the mountainous terrain and rocky soils with a high clay content, like those of our community San Baltazar Guelavila. It grows between the pine and oak trees which helps it withstand drought, and also gives it tones of wood, straw, wild herbs, and sweet tones.

Tobalá has a rounded piña that can weigh between 25 and 80 kg. Its broad leaves and red thorns create its signature shield form.

Grulani’s Tobalá is distilled from 100% Agave Potatorum

Tobalá requires between 10 and 12 years to reach maturity, and its yield can reach 17-20 kg per bottle of Grulani Tobalá mezcal. This variety requires two distillations in a copper still and 5-7 days for fermentation.

The Tobalá maguey is perhaps the second best-known maguey in the category of mezcal and, for many producers, it’s the entrance into wild agave distillation. Tobalá has nuanced flavors, unique to its species.