Cinco Sentidos Sierra Negra Espadin Capon Mezcal

Alberto Martinez and his son-in-law Reynaldo distilled this ensemble at their palenque in Santa Catarina Albarradas, located in the Sierra Norte mountains of Oaxaca. The Sierra Negra and Espadin Capon (which rested in the field for almost a year) used in this batch were cultivated almost 7,500 feet above sea level.

While Alberto and Reynaldo mash the cooked agave with mallets, Alberto’s wife and daughter strip bark from oak branches called tepehuaje. Tepehuaje is a natural source of nitrogen and is added into the concrete tanks with spring water during fermentation to help stabilize it during the cold weather in high elevations. This spirit brings to mind a basket of sweet fruits and a bouquet of herbs.

Cinco Sentidos (“five senses”) started as the house mezcal line at Oaxaca’s acclaimed restaurant and mezcaleria El Destilado. These uncertified agave spirits highlight diverse, traditional production methods employed by small-batch producers who distill a variety of agave species. The range embodies the customs, traditions, and history behind the spirits and the people who make them.

Nose: strawberry, cantaloupe, sweet mint, acacia

Palate: juniper, frisee, mineral

Finish: cookie wafer, white chocolate