Reviews / Espina Negra Tobala
Review · · by The Editors
Espina Negra Tobala
Tobalá at 45% – mid-tier, mid-register, a bottle that does the job without drawing attention
Score: 3.0/5 agaves
- Producer: Espina Negra Mezcal
- Maestro: Honorato Cruz Molina, Mayolo Cruz, Roque Cruz Molina
- Region: Santa Ana, Oaxaca
- Agave: Tobala
- ABV: 45%
- Price: $70 ($$)
Verdict
Pour this as a budget tobalá introduction – Espina Negra lands competent but thin, and the textural density a Banhez or higher-proof reference delivers is not here at this proof. Reasonable, category-floor, and honest about what it is. A commercial tobalá that doesn't pretend to be more. Consensus 3.1 matches; for another ten dollars you'd do meaningfully better.
A working tobalá that earns the mid-tier category without reaching beyond it
Tasting notes
Nose: Wildflower, sweet smoke, a faint citrus high note, trace of honey underneath
Palate: Aromatic at 45%. The tobalá reads cleanly and the producer's production is clean; texture is light, which is the consequence of the proof choice more than any production shortcut
Finish: Floral, with a slow smoke fade. Stays long
The bottom line
Fine as a tobalá category introduction
Where to buy online
We found this bottle at 1 US retailer. Prices and stock vary – click through to check.