Powered by 100% agave

NETA Espadín – Delfino & Sozimo Jarquín

NETA Espadín from Delfino & Sozimo Jarquín was originally released in the US as part of Agave Mixtape Vol 5.

Rating: (8 reviews)
Category:Destilado de Agave
Brand:Agave Mixtape, NETA
Mezcalero:Delfino Jarquín, Sozimo Jarquín
Maguey:Espadin
Agave:Angustifolia
Grind:Hand
Distillation:Refrescador
Style:Joven
State:Oaxaca
Town:Miahuatlán
ABV: 51.5%
Release year: 2021
Website: https://netaspirits.com/, opens in new window

About this destilado de agave

NETA Espadín from Delfino & Sozimo Jarquín was originally released in the US as part of Agave Mixtape Vol 5. Per Agave Mixtape:

Spirits made by the Jarquín-Aquino family are true vestiges of old miahuateco styles and flavors. From harvest to distillation, the family continues to employ techniques and recipes that many others – for a multitude of reasons – have abandoned or altered over the last couple of decades.

Despite its laborious nature, they continue to mash the agave by hand with wooden mazos and occupy a particular recipe with a refrescadera that allows them to achieve a consistently high proof mezcal with a single pass through their small copper stills. Delfino proudly recalls dabbling with and promptly rejecting the new methods of distillation that were introduced in the early ‘90s, primarily through collaborative governmental and industry initiatives. While he did walk away from these programs with the new skill set of agave propagation through bulbil cloning, he was thoroughly unimpressed with the flavors, aromas, and overall quality of the “new” mezcal that were being made through double distillation, and in many cases, with the addition of water to lower the final alcohol content. Confident in the quality and character of his craft, Delfino returned to the ways he knows best, and has not deviated since. The family harvests and cooks agave only one time a year, with processing times dictated primarily by moon cycles and ambient temperatures. As such, distillation generally begins in the final stretch of April or the first week of May, and continues through the month with an annual production of around 1200-1800L, depending on the varying quantities of the different ripe agaves available each season. Most of this is sold fairly quickly on the local market through various channels, but with the platform of Agave Mixtape, it seemed like a fun idea to share a little bit with you folks back in the States.

The last name Jarquín is quite common among the mezcal producing villages of southern Oaxaca. The name itself is rooted in Arabic, with Moorish origins from the Iberian Peninsula. In certain communities in Miahuatlán, some attribute their original Jarquín ancestor has having descended into the valley from Zoquitlán sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century, bringing the tools and knowledge of copper distillation along with him.

Agave Mixtape

Agave Mixtape brings the best agave spirits together in one place – your place. Agave Mixtape is a subscription based service. Subscribers receive boxes with three 200ml bottles from three different brands – Lalocura, Mal Bien, and Neta (and maybe a few surprises) – filled with batches picked especially for Agave Mixtape, and not available anywhere else in the USA. Each box includes production notes on the batches, along with links to photos, and virtual tastings with the people behind the brands and the mezcaleros. You can subscribe directly from their website.

NETA

NETA is a colloquial word in Mexico that translates to “the real deal” or “the truth”. Since 2012, the brand has worked closely with several small, family producers and a cooperative of twelve palenqueros from the southern valleys and hills of Miahuatlán, Oaxaca. The region has preserved its reputation for producing some of the finest mezcales and agave spirits anywhere in Mexico. The team behind NETA presents a carefully curated selection of extraordinary spirits that would otherwise never be found outside of its place of origin.

A note about NETA labels: The total bottle count written on the front label might be less than the total batch size. Batches may be split between Mexico, Europe, and the US; the handwritten bottle count represents the number of bottles imported into a particular country.

Learn more about NETA:

Member rating

4 out of 5

8 reviews

Tyler

Tyler

636 reviews
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars3 years ago

Awesome espadin that cools down and opens up if you let the glass sit for a few minutes. Big sugar notes almost like cream cheese frosting (yes that’s a thing). Orange Skittles. I get a tiny notes of rye bread (as Rakhal noted). These days I really appreciate a good Espadin and this is one. The finish is a bit hot for my preference. Agave Mixtape volume 5 batch, ESPFJA1705.

Jonny

Jonny

700 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars3 years ago

Batch ESPFJA1705. Aromas of fig newton’s, blueberry muffins, cranberries, raspberries, and unripe plums. The palate is full of more muffins, sugar cookies, dried papaya, and jellybeans. A bit of heat on the finish, but all around very enjoyable.

RyeAmLegend

RyeAmLegend

37 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars3 years ago

Nosing this mezcal I get a lot of creamy cultured butter and lemongrass. It has a real savory smell with some deep earthy flavors. I get a bit of wet hay even. Some sesame oil and a tinge of oyster sauce rounding out the salinity and savory notes.

On the palate there is this big burst of citrus oils. Lots of roasted peppers and sweet onions. Maybe a hint of artichoke in there. Slight wood ash. Savory buttery flavors and textures. Garlic and mushroom with that earthy notes I got on the nose.

Vegetal and earthy warming finish. Slight butterscotch sweetness with some dry herb flavor remaining on the tongue. Bit of bitter citrus pith brings some balance to a very enjoyable finish.

Overall this is not the average espadín by any stretch. It’s a really wonderful lactic and vegetal combo. Very fun and unique spirit.

Nosing this mezcal I get a lot of creamy cultured butter and lemongrass. It has a real savory smell with some deep earthy flavors. I get a bit of wet hay even. Some sesame oil and a tinge of oyster sauce rounding out the salinity and savory notes.
On the palate there is this big burst of citrus oils. Lots of roasted peppers and sweet onions. Maybe a hint of artichoke in there. Slight wood ash. Savory buttery flavors and textures. Garlic and mushroom with that earthy notes I got on the nose.
Vege

Read more
GreenspointTexas

GreenspointTexas

385 reviews
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars3 years ago

I agree with Rakhal. Also, a weird, cloying sweetness keeps this from being 4*. Otherwise solid. Will probably end up using this in cocktails

Rakhal

Rakhal

421 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars3 years ago

After my first sip I immediately thought of jelly beans, not any particular flavor but like I took a handful of mixed jelly beans and crammed them into my mouth and started chewing. Normally artificial tasting fruit flavors in Mezcal turn me off but it really works in this one. I like this a lot! It’s unique and I keep coming back to figure out what I’m tasting. So far I taste jelly beans, barbecue sauce, rye bread, and tarragon. What an interesting Espadin.

ElAgave

ElAgave

34 reviews
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars3 years ago

Yep this is for sure cranberry muffins but I also get orange rind added to them. There is also a creamy lemon meringue on the nose as well. The palate follows suit which is nice with a rich cranberry orange pastry followed by a hit of margarita mix. The finish on this one has a subtle caramel sweetness with very earthy and clay overtones.

COak

COak

228 reviews
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars3 years ago

I think my third favorite of mixtape vol 5. Agree with the cranberry muffins nose. The taste is really similar to a Felipe Cortés tobala from Mezcaloteca. Really unique Espadín flavor. Big notes of fig newton cookies with a tang.

Zack Klamn

Zack Klamn

542 reviews
Rated 5 out of 5 stars3 years ago

Nose: Warm, sweet bran muffins and a whiff of cream cheese.

Palate: Those fresh bran muffins again – baked with cranberries. A beautiful, almost tangy smoke in the finish. A lasting aftertaste with the perfect balance of sweet and salty.

Review this bottle

Login or create an account to add your tasting notes

Back to top