Reviews / Santamaria Joven

Review · · by The Editors

Santamaria Joven

Morelos espadín – the region deserves attention

Score: 3.0/5 agaves

Santamaria Joven bottle
  • Producer: Santamaria Mexcal
  • Maestro: Rosendo Santamaria, Sofia Santamaria
  • Region: Palpan, Morelos
  • Agave: Espadin
  • ABV: 40%
  • Price: $55 ($)

Verdict

The Santamaría family is putting Morelos on the map one bottle at a time, and the joven is the entry – a pleasant, proof-conservative espadín that hints at regional character. Derrumbes's Michoacán lots or Cuentacuentos's Guerrero bottlings show what regional mezcal can be at craft proof; Santamaría isn't there yet. No consensus; our read 3.0.

Morelos mezcal is underrepresented. This bottle isn't the argument, but it's a start

Tasting notes

Nose: A light smoke, a faint mineral

Palate: 40% is the commercial ceiling; the bottle is pleasant and inoffensive, with the Morelos accent – slightly cleaner, less smoke-forward than Oaxaca – audible

Finish: Clean, smooth. Medium

The bottom line

Buy for regional-flight curiosity, not as a benchmark