Los Nahuales, Black Bottle Mezcal (40% Jabali / 60% Espadin), 750 ml

Produced 40% from wild jabalí (agave convallis) and 60% Espadin, collected in the hills of San José Lachiguiri, west of Miahuatlan, in dark thin infertile soils. Jabalí is notoriously difficult to distill; here the acidic ferality is beautifully tamed by blending with a rich mature espadín from Pozo Blanco near Santiago Matatlan. The palate has notes of moth balls, caramel, black licorice, and black pepper. There’s some heat on the back end.