Montelobos Tobalá (70cl)

Montelobos Tobalá is a joven mezcal made in Santiago Matatlán, in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, from the Tobalá type of agave. The agave grows for at least 10 years and is cut by hand with a machete. It is roasted for four to five days in traditional buried stone ovens, then crushed with a stone tahona turned by a mule. Fermentation takes place in open clay vats with native yeasts, for around a week, which keeps the vegetal side of the agave ahead of the smoke. The spirit is distilled twice in copper pot stills. The nose shows anise, brine and smoked meat. On the palate it has good body, with a salty, acidic taste in which lemon zest leads.