Mezcal Vago Espadin by Joel Barriga
Mezcal Vago Espadin by Joel Barriga is a joven mezcal artesanal bottled at about 50.5% ABV (approximately 101 proof; Vago prints the exact batch strength on each label) in a 750mL bottle — a 100% espadín expression from third-generation mezcalero Don Joel Barriga at Hacienda Tapanala in the Sierra Sur of Oaxaca. Double-distilled in small copper pot stills with a slightly deeper distillation cut, it is one of the brightest, most fruit-forward mezcals in the Vago lineup, and carries 93-point scores from both Wine Enthusiast and Tastings.com. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- Proof / ABV: about 50.5% ABV / ~101 proof (batch-varies; printed on label)
- Size: 750mL
- Aging: unaged joven — no oak, bottled after distillation
- Origin: Hacienda Tapanala, Tapanala, Oaxaca (Sierra Sur), Mexico
- Production: 100% Bat-Friendly espadín (A. angustifolia), 8–10 yr cultivated; earthen pit roast, horse-drawn tahona, wooden-vat ferment, double copper distillation
The Brightest Pour in the Vago Lineup
Mezcal Vago's whole philosophy is producer-first — the mezcalero's name, village, agave, and batch size are printed on the front label — and Joel Barriga's espadín is the portfolio's fruit-forward star. Don Joel, cousin of Vago co-founder Aquilino García López, takes a slightly deeper distillation cut that captures the agave's esters: creamy earth and spearmint on the nose, garden herbs and caramelized agave on the palate. Browse more mezcal and tequila or explore every expression in the Mezcal Vago collection at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Creamy and earthy with spearmint, honey, and tropical fruit — mango, grilled pineapple, and lime pulp over a whisper of ash.
Palate: Rich and herbaceous — mint, oregano, and lemon balm balanced by buttery earth, caramelized agave, and crème brûlée, with thyme and citrus zest.
Finish: Long and gently smoky with herbal tea, mild smoke, and a dry saline note.
How to Enjoy
Sip neat in a copita or traditional jicara at room temperature to catch the full arc from fruit to herb to smoke — or use it as a bold upgrade in any tequila cocktail. A classic pairing is a slice of fresh orange dusted with sal de gusano.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "joven" mean on a mezcal label?
Unaged — the spirit is bottled right after distillation with no time in wood, so all the flavor comes from the agave and the production process.
Why does the ABV vary between bottles?
Vago bottles each batch at its natural distillation strength (around 50–51% here) and prints the exact ABV on the front label — batch variation is the point, not a flaw.
What is Bat-Friendly espadín?
Agave grown under a UNAM-created certification where some plants are left to flower for bat pollination, supporting the bats that pollinate wild agaves.
Who is Joel Barriga?
A third-generation mezcalero and cousin of the late Aquilino García López, distilling at Hacienda Tapanala in Oaxaca's Sierra Sur mountains.
For the fruit-forward face of Oaxacan mezcal — order Mezcal Vago Espadin by Joel Barriga online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.