Nuestra Soledad La Compañía Ejutla Mezcal

This is a mezcal from La Compañía, a small village in the district of Ejutla in the Valles Centrales region of Oaxaca. It is made at Los Bigotones, two small palenques run by the Hernandez brothers on a hilly plateau 5,000 feet above sea level, where steep slopes suit only hardy agaves. The brothers distil once, for an extended run, in a modified pot still called a refrescador. The style is high-toned, fruity and light in body. The nose is bright and complex, with white flowers, cilantro and mint. The palate is rich, savoury and viscous, with roasted chiles and minerality, and the finish is long with a delicate touch of wood smoke.