AT A GLANCE

• Owned by: Sazerac Co.

• Distilled by: Casa San Matias in Oaxaca

• Agave: Espadin

• Cooking: Horno (earthen pit oven)

• Crush: Tahona

• Fermentation: Natural fermentation in pine vats

• Still Type: Copper Pot Still

• Spirit Type: Joven Mezcal Artesanal

• Strength: 45% ABV

• Price: $30

Los Vecinos del Campo Espadin Mezcal Artesanal is made by Casa San Matias, a co-op that consists of 10 mezcal families in the central valley of Oaxaca. The agaves are cooked in an earthen pit oven, and crushed with a tahona. The must, fibers and all, is fermented in open air wooden vats by wild yeast, and then double distilled in copper pot stills. After distillation, the mezcal is proofed to 45% ABV and bottled unaged.

TASTING NOTES

Nose: Initially the nose starts closed with just a faint hint of alcohol. The aroma slowly opens up with a light note of espadin mixed with three smell of a burning campfire without the smoke.

Palate: On the palate the mezcal is very powerful. It starts bright and sweet with a strong vegetal character which then transforms into a savory salty flavor like Parmesan cheese.

Finish: The finish is very long with a lingering smoke character and the flavor of salty cheese like Oaxacan quesillo.

Conclusion: Los Vecinos del Campo Espadin is a nice mezcal with good body and structure that will work particularly well in cocktails. The mezcal starts and finishes strong but it falls flat in the mid-palate. Because of that, this espadin will show best in drinks like a Mezcal Negroni, Mezcal Margarita, or a Oaxacan Old Fashioned rather than sipping neat.

For more information watch my review with Mike Morales on Tequila Aficionado’s Sipping off the Cuff.