Reviews / Cómplice Espadín Cuishe

Review · · by The Editors

Cómplice Espadín Cuishe

An ensamble that splits the difference and finds the middle

Score: 3.0/5 agaves

Cómplice Espadín Cuishe bottle
  • Producer: Cómplice Mezcal
  • Maestro: Ignacio Martinez
  • Region: San Dionisio Ocotepec, Oaxaca
  • Agave: Cuishe, Espadin
  • ABV: 46%
  • Price: $70 ($$)

Verdict

Martinez can make a fine cuishe, his single-varietal under this label proves it. But the ensamble dilutes the case for the second agave. Buy the straight cuishe instead; the blend is a confusion rather than a combination. Fidencio builds ensambles with more argument for half the shelf noise.

Ensambles are a conversation. This one is a monologue

Tasting notes

Nose: Cooked agave up front. Green apple, a thin vegetal note underneath

Palate: Cleanly made at 46%, but the espadín dominates what the cuishe was brought in to do, the karwinskii hits as a garnish rather than a partner

Finish: Medium, clean, faintly sweet

The bottom line

A pass; the single-varietal cuishe is where the money goes

Where to buy online

We found this bottle at 1 US retailer. Prices and stock vary – click through to check.

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