El Buho Mezcal Artesanal Espadin is part of our Mezcal collection.
El Buho Mezcal Artesanal Espadin is a small-batch spirit crafted in Oaxaca using traditional methods, including roasting agave hearts in underground pit ovens. Interestingly, the brand takes its name and logo from the Oaxacan legend of a shape-shifting wizard who could transform into an owl, reflecting the enchanting and mystical nature of mezcal production.
El Buho Mezcal Artesanal Espadin stands out for its traditional production methods, including the use of a horse-drawn tahona wheel to crush the agave and copper pot stills for distillation, resulting in a distinctively smoky and complex flavor profile. Unlike many mass-produced mezcals, El Buho is crafted in small batches by master mezcalero Don Cosme Hernández in Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca, ensuring each bottle captures the authentic essence of this centuries-old Mexican spirit.
El Buho Mezcal Artesanal Espadin shines when sipped neat or with a single large ice cube, allowing its complex smoky and herbaceous flavors to unfold on the palate. This versatile spirit also excels in agave-forward cocktails, particularly those with citrus notes, and pairs beautifully with grilled meats and spicy Mexican cuisine, making it an ideal choice for warm summer evenings or cozy fall gatherings around a firepit.
Nose: Smoky agave dominates, accompanied by earthy undertones. Citrus notes of lemon zest and lime peel emerge, followed by hints of green herbs and a touch of black pepper.
Palate: Smooth entry with a balance of smoke and sweetness. Roasted agave flavors blend with mineral notes reminiscent of wet stone. Subtle fruit characteristics appear, suggesting green apple and unripe pear. A mild spiciness builds, bringing cinnamon and white pepper to mind.
Finish: Medium-long finish with lingering smokiness. The agave sweetness fades, leaving behind a pleasant warmth and slight astringency. Vegetal notes of bell pepper and fresh grass emerge, along with a final whisper of vanilla.
El Buho Mezcal Artesanal Espadin is crafted using traditional methods in Oaxaca, Mexico, where mature agave espadin plants are roasted in underground pit ovens, crushed by a horse-drawn tahona wheel, and then fermented in open-air wooden vats. The resulting liquid is double-distilled in small copper pot stills, preserving the rich, smoky flavors that make mezcal so distinctive and allowing the terroir of Oaxaca to shine through in every sip.
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View RecipesThis mezcal is great for mixed drinks. It isn't heavy on the smoke, brine, or other intense flavors that can often over power other ingredients in cocktails. This is the second bottle that I have bought. It might not be intense or complex enough for people who enjoy sipping mezcals, but for the price it is a easy choice to add it to your collection.
this is an exceedingly approachable mezcal! It's still very much a mezcal, smoky and full of agave punch, but a lot gentler on the smoke, diesel/gasoline and brine flavors (they're there, but a lot less in your face than most mezcals), leaning more grassy and vegetal. Very smooth too.
That's not to say it's weak or limp. Just a brighter, cleaner version. So if you like angry, burning smoke and gasoline mezcals, this might not be your taste (I do and still love it), but if you are like my wife and HATE mezcal but like tequila, this one in a cocktail might be the gateway. It's balanced and complex while still feeling very approachable, able to stand up in a cocktail without being overpowered, but also not overpowering the cocktail either.
Honestly it tastes five times as expensive as it was. This is probably the most versatile mezcal I've ever tried.
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