Espadin is the name you will see on more mezcal labels than any other. If you have tried a mezcal Margarita or a smoky sip of mezcal in New Zealand, there is a good chance it was made from Espadin. Here is what Espadin is, what it tastes like, how it differs from tequila and how to enjoy it.
What is Espadin in Mezcal?
Espadin is a species of agave, Agave angustifolia, and it is the most widely used agave for making mezcal. Unlike wild agaves, Espadin is cultivated in fields, mainly in Oaxaca in southern Mexico. It takes around 6 to 8 years to mature, which is fast for an agave, and its hearts (called pinas) are rich in sugar, so they give good yields of flavourful spirit. That is why Espadin makes up the large majority of all mezcal produced.
Botanists also consider Espadin a close relative, and likely ancestor, of the blue Weber agave used for tequila, which helps explain why Espadin mezcal is such an approachable bridge for tequila drinkers.
What Does Espadin Mezcal Taste Like?
Espadin mezcal usually tastes of sweet cooked agave with gentle smoke, followed by citrus peel, ripe and roasted fruit, black pepper and fresh herbs, often finishing with an earthy, mineral note. Compared with wild agave mezcals such as Tobala or Tepeztate, Espadin is more balanced and less intense, which makes it the best place to start your mezcal journey.
The exact flavour depends on the mezcalero, the village, the wood used to roast the agave and the strength. For example, Mezcal Marca Negra Espadin is bottled at around 50% and shows ripe roasted fruit, citrus and a rich, creamy texture, while Meteoro Espadin at 45% is smooth and easy, with cooked agave, citrus and soft smoke.
Is Mezcal the Same as Tequila?
Not quite. Tequila is actually a type of mezcal, but with stricter rules:
- Agave: tequila must be made from blue Weber agave, while mezcal can be made from more than 30 agave types, with Espadin the most common.
- Region: tequila is made mainly in Jalisco, while most mezcal comes from Oaxaca.
- Cooking: tequila agave is usually steamed in ovens, while traditional mezcal agave is roasted in earthen pits over wood and hot stones, which gives mezcal its smoky flavour.
So all tequila is a mezcal, but not all mezcal is tequila. Explore both in our tequila and mezcal range.
What Are the Three Types of Mezcal?
Mexican rules group mezcal into three categories based on how it is made:
- Mezcal: can use modern equipment such as autoclaves for cooking and column stills.
- Mezcal Artesanal: agave is pit roasted, crushed by hand, tahona stone or mill, and distilled in copper or clay pot stills.
- Mezcal Ancestral: the most traditional, with pit roasting, hand or stone crushing and distillation in clay pots.
Mezcal is also labelled by age: Joven (young and unaged, the most common style), Reposado (rested in wood for 2 to 12 months) and Anejo (aged for at least 12 months).
Espadin vs Wild Agave Mezcal
Once you know Espadin, wild agave mezcals are the next step. Tobala is floral and fruity, Tepeztate can take 20 to 30 years to mature and is intensely green and peppery, and Ensamble mezcals blend Espadin with other agaves. Our 200ml bottles, such as Marca Negra Espadin 200ml, make it easy to taste Espadin side by side with Tobala, Tepeztate and Sierra Negra.
How to Drink Espadin Mezcal
- Neat: sip it slowly at room temperature from a small glass, traditionally with orange slices on the side.
- Mezcal Margarita: swap tequila for Espadin mezcal for a smoky twist.
- Mezcal Negroni: equal parts mezcal, Campari and sweet vermouth.
- Paloma: mezcal topped with grapefruit soda and a squeeze of lime.
And no, quality mezcal does not need a worm in the bottle. That was mostly a marketing gimmick, and artisanal Espadin mezcals are bottled without one.
Buy Espadin Mezcal Online in NZ
Whiskey Online stocks Mezcal Marca Negra Espadin 700ml, the 200ml bottle, Meteoro Espadin Mezcal and a Meteoro 50ml miniature. Browse our full mezcal collection for wild agave mezcal, Clase Azul Mezcal and more. Many of our spirits are direct imported and sold at wholesale prices, with delivery throughout New Zealand. You must be 18 or over to purchase alcohol.
