Reviews / Puntiagudo Salmiana

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Puntiagudo Salmiana

Salmiana – the highlands agave, Nazario Salas distilling

Score: 4.0/5 agaves

Puntiagudo Salmiana bottle
  • Producer: Puntiagudo
  • Maestro: Nazario Salas Rosas
  • Region: San Miguel Atlapulco, Puebla
  • Agave: Salmiana
  • ABV: 46.8%
  • Price: $40–90 ($$)

Verdict

Salmiana is a highlands maguey more associated with San Luis Potosí than Oaxaca, and bottles of single-maguey salmiana are still uncommon on the US market. Nazario Salas' version shows what the plant does when a maestro who understands highlands agave gets hold of it. Track it alongside Derrumbes' San Luis Potosí work. A regional education in a bottle.

Salmiana is what mezcal tastes like when it grows up cold

Tasting notes

Nose: Dry hay walks in first, then green olive, a mineral cool

Palate: Drier and more savory than most Oaxacan mezcal – salmiana grows in highlands and plays like it. 46.8% is in the working range for the plant. Nazario Salas handles the regional character without over-softening it

Finish: Savory, dry

The bottom line

Single-maguey salmiana is still uncommon. Highlands character worth knowing

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