Los Siete Misterios Espadín Olla de Barro Mezcal (75cl)

This is an Oaxacan mezcal made from Espadín agave and distilled in clay pots, known as ollas de barro, rather than in copper or stainless steel. It is one of the most traditional methods of making mezcal, and it is the brand's most traditional expression. The porous clay is said to allow a little micro-oxygenation and to pass its mineral character to the spirit, giving an earthy and slightly softer profile. Batches are small, and the maestro mezcalero needs real skill to keep the result consistent from one vessel to the next. The nose combines cooked agave, smoke and mineral earthiness. The palate is earthy and rounded, with the smokiness of Espadín still present, and the finish is clean and lingering.