Paquera Mezcal Espadin Joven

Crafted in Ejutla de Crespo, Oaxaca, Mexico, Paquera Espadín is an artisanal single-varietal mezcal produced by master mezcalero Francisco Javier Perez Cruz. Made from 100% estate-grown Espadín agave (Agave angustifolia) that matures for 7 to 10 years, this expression serves as the foundational flagship of the Paquera portfolio. The mature piñas are slow-cooked in traditional underground conical stone pits fueled by oak wood, crushed using a horse-drawn stone tahona wheel, and open-fermented in wooden vats with natural wild airborne yeasts. Double-distilled in traditional copper pot stills, this unaged mezcal delivers a beautifully bright, agave-forward profile balanced by soft mesquite smoke, sweet tropical fruit, and crisp minerality.

Food Pairing: Grilled shrimp street tacos, Oaxacan pork carnitas, mole verde, fresh ceviche with avocado, goat cheese crostini, or dark chocolate with sea salt.

Tasting Notes: Crystal clear in appearance with brilliant clarity, a silky medium body, and clean, delicate tears.

Nose: Fresh, vibrant, and fruit-forward, opening with sweet cooked agave, bright lime zest, and ripe tropical citrus, accompanied by gentle wood smoke, white pepper, light herbal tea, and damp earth.

Palate: Smooth, balanced, and textural on the palate, featuring caramelized agave nectar, mango, and zesty grapefruit upfront before unfolding into soft mesquite smoke, cracked black pepper, light green herbs, and wet stone minerality.

Finish: Medium-long, clean, and crisp with lingering notes of sweet agave, gentle oak smoke, zesty citrus pith, and a pleasant peppery warmth.

Serve: Enjoy neat at room temperature in a traditional clay copita or Glencairn glass, or as an elevated, smoky foundation for craft cocktails like a Mezcal Margarita, Paloma, or Mezcal Mule.