Reviews / Ixcateco Papalome
Review ·
Ixcateco Papalome
The papalometl done right – Ixcatec clay-pot, full volume
Score: 4.0/5 agaves
- Producer: Ixcateco
- Maestro: Amando Alvarez
- Region: Santa María Ixcatlán, Oaxaca
- Agave: Papalome
- ABV: 46.1%
- Price: $112 ($$$)
Verdict
Put this next to the Huaxe papalometl above and you'll learn more about the papalome agave in ten minutes than most reading can teach you. Alvarez reads the varietal correctly where Huaxe misses it. The Ixcateco project deserves a bigger US audience than it has, and this is the bottle to start with. Buy alongside the Ticuchi below for a fuller view of what Santa María Ixcatlán makes.
Two papalometls, two readings – this one is the real one
Tasting notes
Nose: Wildflower, wet stone, dry pepper, cool smoke
Palate: 46.1% – where the Huaxe papalometl misfired, Alvarez's papalome lands. The clay pot gives the rare agave a softer mouthfeel while the Ixcatec terroir keeps the mineral edge clean, and the proof is exactly where the varietal wants to be
Finish: Floral, flinty. Long
The bottom line
Alvarez reads the varietal right. The reference papalome on the shelf
Where to buy online
We found this bottle at 5 US retailers. Prices and stock vary – click through to check.
- Old Town Tequila – $110
- Hi-Time Wine – $110
- Astor Wines – $115
- Total Wine
- Binny's
Price check: $112 (2026-07-29).