Salvadores Mezcal Joven Espadín (75cl, 47%)

Salvadores Joven is an unaged mezcal made from 100% Espadín agave at Casa Palacios Destilería in Tlacolula de Matamoros, Oaxaca, bottled at 47%. The agave is cooked in an earthen conic pit oven and crushed with a horse-drawn tahona stone wheel. The mash ferments naturally and is double distilled in copper pot stills. The nose combines tamarind and caramel with dried chiles, roasted peppers and earthy cooked agave. The palate is dry and citrus-led, with grapefruit and orange rind, a touch of jalapeño, a fairly thick texture, caramel, cinnamon and anise. The finish is medium-long and bittersweet, with walnuts, pecans, cooked agave and gentle smoke.