Madre Mezcal Espadin (75cl, 40%)

Madre Mezcal Espadin is a 40% ABV mezcal from Oaxaca, Mexico, made from 100% cultivated Espadín agave. It is a joven, unaged mezcal produced by roasting the piñas in earthen pits, crushing them with a horse-drawn tahona, fermenting naturally in the open air with wild mountain yeast and local well water, and double-distilling in a family-heirloom copper pot still. The result is deliberately soft and smoke-light. The nose shows milk chocolate, cilantro, celery, vanilla and light smoke. The palate is tart and mineral up front, with smoked tropical fruit, olive brine and coffee in the midpalate and vanilla sweetness throughout. The finish is dry and citrusy, with a touch of spice.