Xicaru Reposado Mezcal Artesanal Espadín (75cl, 40%)

Xicaru Reposado is a mezcal artesanal made by Fernando Santibañez in small batches at his palenque in Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca, following his grandmother's recipe. It is made from 100% Espadín agave. The piñas are roasted in an underground stone oven fired with mesquite and ocote, crushed by a horse drawn tahona, fermented in open pine vats with natural yeast and double distilled in copper alembics. It then rests for two to four months in medium toasted American oak, which rounds the smoke and gives a pale straw colour. The nose is gently sweet and lightly smoky, with roasted agave, toasted oak and baking spice.