Reviews / Paquera Espadin & Barril
Review · · by The Editors
Paquera Espadin & Barril
Espadín-barril ensamble at 45%, under-proofed for the karwinskii partner
Score: 3.0/5 agaves
- Producer: Paquera Mezcal
- Maestro: Francisco Javier Perez Cruz
- Region: Ejutla, Oaxaca
- Agave: Barril, Espadin
- ABV: 45%
- Price: $50 ($$)
Verdict
The idea of an espadín-barril ensamble is sound, the karwinskii gives the espadín mineral backbone, but at 45% the barril never quite gets to talk. Paquera's straight cuishe at 48% makes a better karwinskii argument than this blend does. Skip toward the single-agave barril or cuishe from the same house.
Barril wants more air than this ensamble gave it
Tasting notes
Nose: Wet stone with green pepper, light smoke
Palate: 45% ensamble where the espadín leads cleanly but the barril gets clipped by the proof, karwinskii markers read quiet rather than convincing
Finish: Mineral, gently sweet
The bottom line
Skip. The single-agave bottles do the karwinskii argument better
Where to buy online
We found this bottle at 1 US retailer. Prices and stock vary – click through to check.