Rezpiral Espadin was produced by Berta Vasquez in San Baltazar Chichicapam, Oaxaca. This has been part of several different Rezpiral Series.
About this destilado de agave
Rezpiral Espadin was produced by Berta Vasquez in San Baltazar Chichicapam.
2017, series #1: Eleven different master-crafted spirits by three independent artisan producers of three pueblos; spirits from nine different wild and domesticated agave varietals (espadin, tobala, barril, tobaziche, mexicano, tepextate, tobala orejon, cuish, and tripon).
2018, series #2: Seventeen different master-crafted spirits by five independent artisan producers from four pueblos San Agustin Amatengo, San Baltazar Guelevila, Chichicapam and San Luis Amatlan; spirits from eleven wild and cultivated varietals, and three specialty batches (pechuga de conejo, espadin capon, espadin con frutas).
2018, series #3: A curated collection of eleven agave spirits crafted from four independent artisan maestros collaborating with the project. Labels in this series are hand drawn as before, and individually silk-screened labels, some with multiple colors.
2019, series #4, first release: A hand-selected selection of fifteen beautifully complex artisanal small batch agave spirits – by Abel Martinez of Santo Domingo Albarradas, Berta & Mario Vasquez of San Baltazar Chichicapam, Aureliano Hernandez of San Baltazar Guelevila, Reina Sanchez of San Luis Amatlan, Leonardo of San Baltazar Guelevila, and Simeon & Apolonio Ramirez of San Agustin Amatengo. Labels in this series were printed on a handful of colored fiber papers including amate (shown below presenting Berta’s ensamble).
2020, series #5, first release: seventeen complex artisanal small batch agave spirits. From Berta Vasquez of San Baltazar Chichicapam, 45 liters of Mexicano from a 150 liter batch, Tepextate, Espadin, Tobala/Tepextate ensamble (2/3 & 1/3), Cuish and a Cuish/Tobala/Tepextate ensamble. From Aureliano Hernandez of San Baltazar Guelevila a 130 liter batch of Pechuga de Café, a 400 liter batch of Arroqueño and 200 liter batch of Coyote. From Abel Martinez of Santo Domingo Albarradas, a 180 liter batch of Jabali/Mexicano, a 2019 180 liter batch of Tobala. From Simeon Ramirez of San Agustin Amatengo a 100 liter batch of Espadin & Piñuela, a 40 liter batch of Piñuela, a 100 liter batch of Mexicano & Tepeztate. From Reina Sanchez of San Luis Amatlan, a 200 liter 2018 batch of Tepextate, and Madrecuish. From Ignacio Antonio of San Vicente Coatlan, a 120 liter batch of Espadin.
Rezpiral
Rezpiral brings selections of high-quality traditional small-batch (non-certified) Mezcals into a handful of places in the USA. At the core of the project is the embrace of an ethos that aims to respect and support the multi-generational knowledge, independence, flavors, lands, and ways of each mezcalero family.
Rezpiral’s small scale allows for the advocacy of diversity on different levels, from supporting the autonomy of producers & their continued production of artisanal mezcals to the preservation of local land control. Rezpiral actively supports master artisan’s proactive planting and management of agave; recollecting and incubating seeds, transplanting and farming diverse species of endemic agave in sustainable ways. Rezpiral directs 10% of earnings back into supporting artisans farming.
Rezpiral has a regional greenhouse to support independent small scale mezcaleros in cultivating and reforesting their lands with local endangered wild agave varietals. They also are highly focused on a cultural and conservation residency program.
Review this bottle
Login or create an account to add your tasting notes
GMAD
97 reviewsSeries 5 2019, 46.4%
Nose – A lot of sweetness and smoke. Like barbecue sauce. Subtle aromas of an extinguished fire, and hints of chemical notes like glue, vinyl, and gas.
Palate – Bright, spicy, and very smoky. An opening of herbal sweetness that’s reminiscent of licorice, then followed by some bitterness where heavy overtones of smoke take over. This is like chewing on an orange rind after having some tobacco and wet cigarettes. A bit overbearing at times and perhaps a little too smoky.
Finish – All that orange rind leaves us with a bittersweet and dry exit.
It’s cumbersome but overall still complex. A decent Espadin, but below average for Rezpiral and Berta.
Series 5 2019, 46.4%
Nose – A lot of sweetness and smoke. Like barbecue sauce. Subtle aromas of an extinguished fire, and hints of chemical notes like glue, vinyl, and gas.
Palate – Bright, spicy, and very smoky. An opening of herbal sweetness that’s reminiscent of licorice, then followed by some bitterness where heavy overtones of smoke take over. This is like chewing on an orange rind after having some tobacco and wet cigarettes. A bit overbearing at times and perhaps a litt
Tyler
668 reviewsSeries 5. November 2019. Smoky in a chemical sense. Gives me roadside mezcal vibes. Bottle was 2/3 empty so may have chilled out a bit. Not harsh.. a bit of vanilla ash underneath the initial chemical notes. Finish ends up being like sour cherry.
JDB
190 reviews2018 Series 3, 48.8% alcohol
Almonds on the nose, wonderful sweet flavor on the palate of cooked agave, a little spice, very well balanced and light background notes of minerals and fruit, but nothing overpowering. Very enjoyable. Also pairs really well with Mexican chocolate.
Jonny
736 reviewsSeries 3. Smells incredibly fresh and bright. Aromas of lemon, pine, spearmint, and anise. BIG on the palate. Notes of oranges, banana, grapefruit, vanilla bean, broccoli, and pine. Lots of new car tastes and smells.
Gatekeeper
12 reviewsSeries 2 by Berta Vasquez. Bottle 40/300, 48.4% ABV.
Nose is wood smoke and citrus with a faint creaminess/cheesiness. Palate is pleasantly full bodied with notes of melons, lime, and more wood smoke. Interesting mix of sweet and savory. Short to medium length finish of roasted agave and a bit more of that creamy flavor. Not super complex but very well rounded, enjoyable and easy to drink.
Yggy45
7 reviewsVery nice subtle wood smoke and guava on the nose, much the same on the palate – some light wood smoke, guava and sweetness, green avocado and a little slight bitter bite at the end to keep it from being too sweet. Very nice and balanced, would buy again, definitely try some if you find it, probably out of circulation already!