Montelobos Mezcal Joven

Montelobos Mezcal Joven is produced in Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca, under mezcalero Iván Saldaña. It is made from espadín agave grown at elevations around 5,000 feet in the Oaxacan highlands. The agaves are roasted in conical earthen pits lined with volcanic rock, which gives smokiness.

They are crushed with a tahona, a stone wheel pulled by horse, fermented naturally in open-air wooden vats and double-distilled in copper pot stills. The joven is unaged, so roasted agave and earthy smoke are at the front. It is served neat or used in mezcal cocktails.