Animas Mezcal Maguey Espadin
Animas Mezcal Maguey Espadin is a traditional Oaxacan joven from Santiago Matatlan in the Tlacolula valley — the heartland of mezcal — made entirely from Maguey Espadin (Agave angustifolia) plants grown for roughly eight years before harvest. Pit-roasted in conical earthen ovens, crushed by stone tahona, fermented in wooden vats, and double distilled in copper pot stills under NOM-O513X, it is bottled at 44% ABV (88 proof) in 750mL with no aging to soften its agave-forward character. It's available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 44% (88 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: no age statement — Joven (unaged) class; agave plants grow ~8 years before harvest
- Origin: Santiago Matatlan, Tlacolula, Oaxaca, Mexico — NOM-O513X; mezcalero Luis Angeles Reyes
- Production: 100% Maguey Espadin, earthen pit roast, tahona crush, wooden-vat fermentation, double distilled in copper pot stills
- Style: artisanal mezcal — smoke, minerality and sweet cooked agave, never blended or rested
Oaxaca in a Bottle: The Animas Story
The label's shaman-like figure honors the mezcalero drawing the maguey's spirit from the fire, and the rabbits nod to Mayahuel, the female deity of maguey and symbol of fertility. Behind the story is an orthodox process: conical pit ovens, stone-wheel crushing, open wooden fermenters, copper pot distillation — the same artisan method Matatlan families have used for generations. Tasters describe sweet cooked agave with fresh herbal flavors, subtle minerality and a smoky, mellow finish (CaskCartel/brand copy). Browse more mezcal or the Animas range at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Per brand and retailer copy: full-bodied and fruity on the nose with sweet aromas carrying a subtle minerality; the palate is sweet and herbal with the unmistakable flavor of cooked agave; the finish is long, mellow and gently smoky. At 88 proof it has enough body to stand up neat or carry an agave-forward cocktail.
How to Enjoy
Sip neat at room temperature to catch the minerality and cooked-agave sweetness, or pour it into a Mezcal Old Fashioned or Paloma — its bold Joven character keeps the agave front and center in cocktails.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Animas Espadin taste like?
Sweet cooked agave with fresh, herbal flavors, subtle minerality, and a smoky, mellow finish.
Where is Animas Mezcal made?
Santiago Matatlan, Tlacolula, Oaxaca — Mexico's mezcal heartland — under NOM-O513X.
Is Animas Espadin aged?
No — it is a Joven (unaged) mezcal; the agave plants themselves grow about eight years before harvest.
Traditional Oaxacan craft in every pour — order Animas Mezcal Maguey Espadin online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.