Reviews / The Lost Explorer Salmiana
Review · · by The Editors
The Lost Explorer Salmiana
Salmiana verde – the San Luis Potosí agave in an Oaxacan bottle
Score: 3.5/5 agaves
- Producer: The Lost Explorer Mezcal
- Maestro: Fortino Ramos Florean
- Region: San Pablo Huixtepec, Oaxaca
- Agave: Verde
- ABV: 42%
- Price: $65 ($)
Verdict
Salmiana is a Central Mexican agave most mezcal brands ignore in favor of Oaxaca's espadín and wild-maguey lineup. The Lost Explorer's salmiana deserves credit for putting it on shelves – the vegetal-mineral signature reads through even at 42%. It's not as committed as Derrumbes' salmiana bottles from San Luis Potosí proper, but at this tier it's the brand's most interesting pour.
Salmiana is the agave most commercial brands skip. This one doesn't
Tasting notes
Nose: Fresh green with a faint herbal savor, light smoke
Palate: 42% keeps the salmiana's bright, vegetal profile intact – the verde agave's freshness reads cleanly, the mineral mid-palate holding together even at the lower proof
Finish: Medium, green, iron-tinged
The bottom line
The sleeper pick in The Lost Explorer line. Worth tasting