Review: Pierde Almas Mezcal Espadin Joven

Review: Pierde Almas Mezcal Espadin Joven

Review: Pierde Almas Mezcal Espadin Joven

Oaxaca-based Pierde Almas produces at least 8 different mezcal expressions, including this unaged joven bottling made from 100% espadin agave, naturally fermented in small wooden vats and double distilled in copper pots. No flavorings or additives.

Boldly smoky on the nose, this is a very intense mezcal that pours on the campfire character. Notes of saline, green herbs, and pepper complement the aggressive aromatics, but if you’re not prepared for a smoky slugfest from the start, best to quit now while you’re ahead. The palate settles into a gentler groove, if slowly, offering some lime-heavy citrus and a muddle white sugar note sweetening things up. There’s plenty of smoke here, of course, and at nearly 50% abv, plenty of heat too — yet the overall experience is approachable and not too overbearing.

The finish finds room for lingering sweetness, chewy nougat, walnut, and vanilla notes — but rest assured, that ashy smokiness is never far away. Finessed it ain’t.

98 proof. Reviewed: Lote# 20-SJR.

B+ / $60 / udiga.com/pierde-almas [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE]

Pierde Almas Mezcal Espadin Joven

$60
8.5

Rating

8.5/10

A veteran journalist, the author of four books, a published poet, and an award-winning winemaker, Christopher Null has more than 25 years of experience writing about wine and spirits. He founded Drinkhacker in 2007. He also writes regularly about the science of booze for WIRED and is an occasional contributor to ADI's Distiller magazine. He has been a judge for both the American Distilling Institute Judging of Craft Spirits and Whiskies of the World spirits competitions and often works as a consultant, developing formal tasting notes for spirits brands around the world.

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