Reviews / Ánimas Espadin
Review · · by The Editors
Ánimas Espadin
A safe Matatlán espadín that confuses approachability for accomplishment
Score: 3.0/5 agaves
- Producer: Ánimas Mezcal
- Maestro: Humberto Juan, Leoncio Santiago, Luis Angeles Reyes
- Region: San Juan del Rio, Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca
- Agave: Espadin
- ABV: 44%
- Price: $55 ($)
Verdict
Ten consensus reviews at 3.6 lands about where the market usually does for this kind of bottle. Ánimas is chasing the Vida/Banhez mid-tier, and while the liquid is fine the bottle never quite decides what it wants to be. Compared with Banhez Ensamble at the same price, this is less interesting; compared with a Del Maguey Vida, it's noticeably less characterful. Good for cocktails, not memorable neat.
Friendly enough to recommend to anyone. Distinctive enough to remember for no one
Tasting notes
Nose: Green apple, mild smoke, cooked agave, faint citrus
Palate: At 44% the espadín is polite, mildly smoky, designed not to alienate – which is to say designed not to distinguish itself. Competently made by the trio of producers but aimed at the broad middle
Finish: Clean, mildly sweet – short
The bottom line
Pass for Banhez Ensamble or Del Maguey Vida at similar price