The smokiest Alipus.

Distilled by youthfulmaestromezcaleroRodolfo Juan Juarez, this Espadn reflects high-altitude terroir on an upland plateau irrigated only by the rain. The use of the del Rio name is well advised because this distillery literally fronts onto and overlooks a river which supplies the piped-in water for the stills.

This is avery fruity Mezcalwith a full-throated agave flavor. It’s the fruit of non-irrigated Espadn grown in sunny mountain-top plantings in ferriferous soil at 4,600 feet. It is pit-roasted using black oak. Fermentation in tall red-oak vats is deliberately slow, creating a distinctive fruity richness. This is a big mouthful of a Mezcal that combines all the core sensations of agave fruit, smoke, and sweetness, with a structural minerality. This is definitely a Mezcal that would appeal to fans ofpeaty Scotch.