Banhez Espadin & Barril vs Sombra Joven

Two bottles that end up on the same shelf, tasted the same way on the same rubric. Scores, current average US prices, and the call.

	Banhez Espadin & Barril	Sombra Joven
Our score	3.5/5	2.5/5
The public	3.4	2.9
Price	$33	$45
ABV	42%	45%
Agave	Barril, Espadin	Espadin
Region	Ejutla, Oaxaca	San Juan del Rio, San Luis del Rio, Oaxaca

The call

Banhez Espadin & Barril scores higher and costs no more. Easy call.

Banhez Espadin & Barril

The default first bottle, with Mestiza Negra ($20 at Trader Joe's) as its rival

Nose: Green herbs with melon rind, cooked agave

Palate: Brighter and more aromatic than its price tier suggests, the barril adds a savory undertow under the espadín's sweetness

Finish: Clean, faintly bitter – medium

Read the full Banhez Espadin & Barril review

Sombra Joven

Story first. Climb to the Sombra Ensamble instead

Nose: Light smoke, then cooked agave, green apple, vanilla

Palate: 45% is honest but the profile isn't – sweet, smooth, engineered to the price point, with Isaias Martinez Juan's work filed down by the brand's commercial goals

Finish: Clean, faintly sweet. Stays short

Read the full Sombra Joven review

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