Montelobos Espadin is an artisanal mezcal crafted by mezcalero Don Abel Lopez in Santiago Matatlán.
About this mezcal
Montelobos Joven is an artisanal Mezcal made in Santiago Matatlán produced with 100% organically certified agave Espadín. This Mezcal is crafted by biologist and distiller Iván Saldaña and mezcalero Don Abel Lopez. It is made according to Saldaña’s vision and passion for agave and artisanal mezcal with respect for traditional production methods, sustainability, and the quality of life in the communities and families who have produced mezcal for generations.
Montelobos Mezcal
Montelobos has business ties to William Grant & Sons, the makers of scotch whisky. Iván Saldaña, who has a background in molecular plant biology, founded Montelobos Mezcal. Saldaña worked with two mezcal-producing families in Oaxaca and Puebla. The mezcal is popular inside Mexico and is also exported. Montelobos Mezcal is committed to sustainability and has pledged to never use wild agaves in their mezcal production.
In October 2019, Campari Group (Davide Campari-Milano SpA) purchased a controlling stake in Montelobos. The $35.7 million USD investment also included a majority stake in Ancho Reyes chili liqueur.
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Thankin_Hank
11 reviewsAt the Fiesta Americana Hotel 5/4/2023. I had this once before at a Casino in Oklahoma and was impressed. I’m still impressed. Love the heat in this and the smokey flavor is good.
Ranger_Ryan
36 reviewsAirport bar, couldn’t see bottle. Decent espadin.
Howzer
3 reviewsVery pleasant Espadin, perfect for intrducing someone new to Mezcal.
A gentle smokiness, notes of herbs, chocolate and leather on the nose. Very slight alcohol bite, easy to sip and enjoy.
Mezcajeff
1 reviewDélicieux, agréable seul ou en cocktail. Rapport qualité prix imbattable.
Will
12 reviewsLot: MQ8195
Has a very earthy aroma with hints of vegetables and cut grass. Not too smokey but definitely there. Two major flavors I get are pepper and citrus. Its not overly complex but for the price its a great introductory mezcal.
Threesunspots
4 reviewsLiked the smokey and complex taste a lot and should gave it 4 stars if it hadn´t give me as big bad hangover. Gave the rest of bottle to my neighbor and same with him, the worst hangover in decades. Most be some manufacturing problems as no other mentions it? Have tried Montelobos Tobala and Pechuga with no problem at all.
Jori
48 reviewsCloser to a 3.25/5
but really enjoy this one for a ‘commercial’ widely available Mezcal. Second time buying the bottle.
Smoke! Campfire / roasted fruit
Chocolate, forest, forest fire, stone fruit, orchard fruit.
A little boozy for ~43% but the price redeemed that.
El-Dawg
182 reviews20-001
Really good, solid smell. Citrus. Some heat. Great value, peppery taste. Maybe a bit too hot but for the money this is both a great cocktail mezcal and one that can be sipped in a pinch.
aarild
144 reviewsEarthy and complex workhorse of an espadin. One star extra for the price. Some vanilla and woody smoke on the nose, but balanced. Baked apple and subdued agave fruit, cloves and mild smoke.
jmehrk35
39 reviewsLote: IU0405. 43.2%
Balance of some smoke/ash and heat. Aroma is earthy, baked apple, honey. Flavor carries over the baked apple with sweet potato and dark bbq sauce. Actually not bad. Good flavor, but not much depth to it. Good starter mezcal, not overwhelmingly smokey and not much heat. Sip or mix. Good price point
Tmwilliams
8 reviewsMontelobos Joven is an artisanal mezcal with a little sweetness and is citrusy in taste and scent which is nice with some light pepper notes. There’s a smokiness to this mezcal that’s subtle enough to taste and it works well allowing you to taste the citrus and rounds out this mezcal. Overall a nice mezcal to sip or mix.
nklein
3 reviewsI was disappointed by Montelobos Espadin, the nose is intriguing, but for me the palate was just too flat. In my opinion, Union Uno (for sipping/mixing) and Fidencio Clasico (for mixing) are better options at this price point.
Jkleinschrodt
1 reviewI’ve tried a few mezcal previously but this is first bottle of mezcal I’ve purchased! Slightly sweet, herbaceous, and light smoke. I like it!
Firesidesipper
35 reviewsA very well-made Espadin. Clean and crisp, with delightful smoke on the nose and palate. Oily on the tongue, with notes of lemon peel and dried fruits that hold through the finish. This mezcal gets and extra star for being a win-win-win: It is a quality sipper, a solid mixer in high-end cocktails, and sells at a bargain price. LOTE/Btl: IL4760.
TomT
2 reviewsBought this at Costco so wasn’t expecting much. When I got home and tasted it, wow…it was love at first sip. A really good joven espadin. Found the smoke to be subtle. It is smooth but also has more flavor complexity then your average mezcal. So, I’d say it is a spirit more for the experienced mezcal palate than the novice. A well priced mezcal as well.
Cy Bister
26 reviewsJack-fruit sweetness mixed with an understated but distinctly iodine smoke on the nose – and just a touch of vanilla. Taste is unexpectedly non-sweet by comparison, earthy and peppery, with an almost antiseptic smoke note and a nice spicy warmth on the finish. There are definitely some sweeter vanilla and vaguely fruity notes in the mix but they are mostly hiding in the background. They might become more prominent on subsequent tastings, but for now this is only another mid-level mezcal to me.
Jack-fruit sweetness mixed with an understated but distinctly iodine smoke on the nose – and just a touch of vanilla. Taste is unexpectedly non-sweet by comparison, earthy and peppery, with an almost antiseptic smoke note and a nice spicy warmth on the finish. There are definitely some sweeter vanilla and vaguely fruity notes in the mix but they are mostly hiding in the background. They might become more prominent on subsequent tastings, but for now this is only another mid-level mezcal to
Zack Klamn
512 reviewsBottle No. KH8415
Nose: Grassy. Citrus. Medium smoke.
Palate: Light viscous feel – somewhat slick though. Sweetness is interesting – if it exists – a fruit punch creamsicle. Tobacco and white pepper in the middle. Warm, wet stone aftertaste and some brine. As it fades away there is a slight numbing effect (Sichaun pepper but not nearly as spicy).
This seemed mediocre at first but vastly improved after a few sips. Good value as well.
kurten33
3 reviewsThe first time I got this mezcal is because I loved the looks of the bottle. The mezcal is the best mezcal for the price. The smooth, very lightly smoky flavor makes it easy to drink for people new to mezcal and surprisingly enjoyable for those experienced mezcal connoisseurs. When it goes down, it hardly leaves a burn and it leaves an enjoyable after taste. Most of my guest that tried it have been delighted with the smoothness of its flavor. Definitely worth trying it. For the price it is the best value that will leave you completely satisfied. Bottle JX6087
The first time I got this mezcal is because I loved the looks of the bottle. The mezcal is the best mezcal for the price. The smooth, very lightly smoky flavor makes it easy to drink for people new to mezcal and surprisingly enjoyable for those experienced mezcal connoisseurs. When it goes down, it hardly leaves a burn and it leaves an enjoyable after taste. Most of my guest that tried it have been delighted with the smoothness of its flavor. Definitely worth trying it. For the price it is the
Bety85
2 reviewsThis is my favorite mezcal thus far. I have tried other more expensive bottles and they do not compare to this one. This one is great value for the price. Great smoky flavor and very smooth. Perfect for sipping. Even my mom who does not drink much alcohol asks for a shot for sipping every time she comes over.
ToastyMick
6 reviewsA little thin. Although it is smoky it feels thin to me. Great for the price however. A nice balanced flavor with the usual notes
Safetyline29
8 reviewsMontelobos Espadin is very smokey on the nose. It opens up nicely yet has a petrol finish. It is very citrusy with strong hints of ash and charred mesquite. Enjoyable and affordable.
edgy4sure
39 reviewsnope, not a fan of the espadin – the tobala and ensemble are sooo good though, it makes up for the espadin
TheAuditor
38 reviewsI had this blind, so keep that in mind when reading these notes
Nose: Earthy, Minerality, lemon zest, brine, light smoked meat, cream cheese,
Palate: Light mouthfeel, light cream cheese, slight earthy minerality, light campfire smoke.
Finish: Short, brine, minerals, black pepper, light cream funk, light campfire smoke.
Rating: 5/10
This isn’t bad, it has some good flavors going on it, but it feels really muted and could benefit from a bit more proof perhaps. Its inoffensive. The nose writes a check the palate and finish could not cash.
This has good stuff going on under it all, and the nose was interesting. However, it is knocked down for just falling into the inoffensive side of the flavor spectrum for me. For a budget option though, you could do much worse and this would be a good bottle to introduce someone to Mezcal, and good budget option.
I had this blind, so keep that in mind when reading these notes
Nose: Earthy, Minerality, lemon zest, brine, light smoked meat, cream cheese,
Palate: Light mouthfeel, light cream cheese, slight earthy minerality, light campfire smoke.
Finish: Short, brine, minerals, black pepper, light cream funk, light campfire smoke.
Rating: 5/10
This isn’t bad, it has some good flavors going on it, but it feels really muted and could benefit from a bit more proof perhaps. Its inoffensive. The nose writes a
MezPal20
8 reviewsA nose of roasted green peppers, burnt mild white cheese, a touch of mineral, and a hint of sugar water. The taste is sweet and vegetal at the same time, with notes of fresh agave, charred wood, and white pepper. Thin, yet viscous mouthfeel. The finish begins with a hint of salt and green citrus, like lime or pomelo, more spicy pepper, and then fades to a nice semidry smokiness.
This is the first artesanal mezcal I’ve ever tried, and only the second mezcal ever if you count Monte Albán, so I don’t have a lot of experience to draw from. However, I’ve tried over 100 scotches in my time and I tend to lean towards the Islays. As a lover of smoky libations I can tell you, you can’t go wrong with this!
A nose of roasted green peppers, burnt mild white cheese, a touch of mineral, and a hint of sugar water. The taste is sweet and vegetal at the same time, with notes of fresh agave, charred wood, and white pepper. Thin, yet viscous mouthfeel. The finish begins with a hint of salt and green citrus, like lime or pomelo, more spicy pepper, and then fades to a nice semidry smokiness.
This is the first artesanal mezcal I’ve ever tried, and only the second mezcal ever if you count Monte Albán, so I
maysville
2 reviewsDefinitely a go to bottle for introducing my friends to Mezcal. Easy drinking. Well balanced smoky flavor. Not overly intense.
MssMadrid
2 reviewsSmoky and well balanced. Organic Mezcal. Good value for money
t8ke
144 reviewsHoney, pineapple, citrus, clay, creamy. A nice blend of sweet and earthy, without a lot of ethanol or pungent character.
Not a massive flavorful beast but very nice and a solid array of flavors. Nothing mindblowing, but nothing bad, either. A good budget option.
JJHenderson
10 reviewsGood quality stuff if a bit unexciting. A well made matatlan espadin. Does what it says on the tin.
kevjo
3 reviewsFound this Mezcal incredibly easy to drink with a very smooth mouthfeel. I found it to be more of a smooth smokey tequila than a complex mezcal blossoming with nuanced flavour. I would purchase it as an entry from tequila to mezcal or for an easy tequilasque sipper. Would buy if reasonably priced.
bertie
2 reviewsOne of my favorites – nice smoky flavor and relatively inexpensive for a mezcal. Great bang for the buck.
Aevillalobos
1 reviewThis is by far the best Mezcal, real smoky, charcoal, wood, pepper. I highly recommend it
AndreAbiRamia
6 reviewsAlcohol, leather, sugar on the nose. Herbal? Syrupy, sweet, fruity on the mouth. Oily. Light smokiness far away. Mineral, peppery finish. Expected more.
Lote número: VB4619
rsidrys
50 reviewsSmokey, pungent, and sweet. Lots of smoke all arround, but it’s offset by other characteristics like citrus. While it had a vegetal green agave pungency, it also had sweet cooked agave, especially on the palate. A strong black pepper and mineral finish with oily mouthfeel. I’m not necessarily saying this is a bad thing, but that pungent note makes this taste more like a “smokey Tequila” than a mezcal.
Dave
12 reviewsThis was the first mezcal I ever tried down in México. This is a very beginner mezcal. It tasted very clean, very sugary, very light.
I had not found this back in the states until I had tried several dozen other mezcal. I agree with others. There is nothing wrong with this mezcal, it just does not have the depth that I have grown to love in other mezcal.
Use this one to introduce your friends or to mix. You cant go wrong with those uses.
NickSanford
23 reviewsI just didn’t find anything special about this one. Typical Espadin that is good for mixing, but nothing that spoke out to me in this one.
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsOne of my favorite espadins. Has all the classic notes, and a clean sharp smell that doesnt overpower you. Slight oil on the finish, fantastic, especially for the price/availability
Icypu
9 reviewsAmazing smell that’s well developed and smooth. Smells like wood bark. Earthy flavor with smooth smokiness, my favorite joven so far. Bottle iw2769.
Mymic87
13 reviewsNose: Tree bark, twigs, antiseptic cream, wet leaves, roasted cashews, green bell peppers, baked potatoes, damp earth, ground coffee, unripe conference pears, excellent nose!
Taste: Sweet, I get cooked apples and pears, brown sugar, sweet potato fries, celery, fennel, a real meaty smoke, bacon and kippers.
Comments: Smells amazing, tastes good. An all round winner, 4 and a half stars.
codysorgenfrey1
1 reviewLove the care for the craft Iván and the team at Montelobos put into each bottle. Very smooth, I highly recommend this brand and can’t wait for their other bottles to make it to the US!
Tyler
612 reviewsAt first glance, Montelobos seems to straddle the line between artisanal and industrial mezcal. They only have one offering in a fancy bottle: a joven espadin. I heard the company bought the roof of a well-utilized small town palenque so their mezcal could capture the same natural fermentation notes that had baked into the original roof from previous decades – much like a well-used BBQ pit continues to impart richer flavors as time passes. If true, that’s very intriguing.
At any rate, this is good stuff.. especially for mixing. The ABV is 43% so the mezcal flavors will remain prominent in cocktails like an old fashioned or paloma. Drinking neat, Montelobos has a subtle smoke, nice vanilla notes, and some nice vegetal flavors for a well-priced espadin. Some of the standard espadin mezcals taste watered down but this is a nice full-flavored espadin. My rating would be 3.5 stars; will be keeping a bottle of this on the shelf for all occasions.
At first glance, Montelobos seems to straddle the line between artisanal and industrial mezcal. They only have one offering in a fancy bottle: a joven espadin. I heard the company bought the roof of a well-utilized small town palenque so their mezcal could capture the same natural fermentation notes that had baked into the original roof from previous decades – much like a well-used BBQ pit continues to impart richer flavors as time passes. If true, that’s very intriguing.
At any rate