5 Sentidos Espadin de Cuero

Item: 5 Sentidos Espadin de Cuero
Rating: 3.5
Author: The Editors

Reynaldo Alejandro's leather-rested espadín – an acquired taste, well-executed

Score: 3.5/5 agaves

Producer: 5 Sentidos
Maestro: Reynaldo Alejandro
Region: Santa Catarina Albarradas, Oaxaca
Agave: Espadin
ABV: 51.4%
Price: $149 ($)

Verdict

The one consensus review undersells a legitimately interesting bottle. Alejandro's work at Santa Catarina Albarradas is quieter than Martinez's next door, but the execution is real – if you've already tried the capón 'de cuero' release from the same palenque, this is the lower-intensity sibling, useful for comparison. Compared with any Del Maguey joven espadín, this is far more particular.

Leather on espadín is a choice; here it's a considered one

Tasting notes

Nose: Dry hay, cooked agave, faint leather, green apple skin

Palate: The leather treatment gives this a savory edge most espadín doesn't have, and Alejandro's hand is steady at 51.4% through clay. Not as forceful as Martinez's capón version but more delicate – a useful companion bottle to taste against

Finish: Medium-long, warm, faintly tanned

The bottom line

Buy it as the second half of a capón/non-capón flight