Reviews / Paquera Espadin

Review · · by The Editors

Paquera Espadin

A mid-shelf espadín with real proof and no pretensions

Score: 3.5/5 agaves

Paquera Espadin bottle
  • Producer: Paquera Mezcal
  • Maestro: Francisco Javier Perez Cruz
  • Region: Ejutla, Oaxaca
  • Agave: Espadin
  • ABV: 45%
  • Price: $45 ($)

Verdict

Paquera's straight espadín is a bottle that populates the middle of a thoughtful bar program, clean, honest, unfussy, priced reasonably. It won't replace Vida as the rail-mezcal reference, but it's a legitimate alternative if you want a house name on the label. Reach for it in cocktails and light neat pours.

A working espadín that doesn't try to be more than that

Tasting notes

Nose: Cooked pineapple – then light smoke, citrus, cooked-agave sweetness

Palate: 45% of clean Oaxacan espadín, mid-weight, legibly Matatlán or adjacent, unchallenging in a pleasant way

Finish: Clean, mildly sweet, medium

The bottom line

Worth reaching for. A reasonable Vida alternative

Where to buy online

We found this bottle at 2 US retailers. Prices and stock vary – click through to check.

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