Real Minero Espadin is clay pot distilled in Santa Catarina Minas. It’s fruity with plum and banana notes, smoke, touches of leafy mint, and sweet chocolate.
About this mezcal
Real Minero Espadin is clay pot distilled in Santa Catarina Minas. It’s fruity with plum and banana notes, smoke, touches of leafy mint, and sweet chocolate. Most batches of Real Minero Espadin are aged in glass before being bottled and distributed. A large batch was produced in 2008 with a limited amount of bottles being released every few years. Some of this mezcal from 2008 is still aging at the Real Minero palenque and will be bottled in the future.
Real Minero
Real Minero (previously Mezcal Real Minero) is considered by many to be one of the world’s finest mezcal producers. The Angeles family has been making mezcal for several generations in Santa Catarina Minas, Oaxaca. Their mezcal is made in small clay pot stills, and almost all of it is rested in glass for several months before bottling, giving the mezcal a much softer character. Outside of creating great spirits, they also have one of the largest and most diverse sustainable agave reforestation programs. With the help of the community, they’ve been able to rescue several agave varieties that were previously thought to be extinct. The ABV of each batch may vary slightly, so check your bottle for details.
In 2020, the brand began dropping the word “mezcal” from their labels. The term “traditional” replaces the CRM “ancestral” designation. Shortly thereafter, the brand officially parted ways with the certification process; all future releases will be labeled as “agave spirits” or something similar. Despite the label changes, nothing significant about their production process has changed over years.
Learn more:
- Real Minero agave nursery tour on Mezcal Reviews
- Real Minero palenque tour on Mezcal Reviews
- Listen to Graciela Angeles Carreño talk about her family’s production on the Show De Vie Podcast: Ep 291 – Graciela Angeles Carreño – The Real Thing.
Review this bottle
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Zack Klamn
413 reviewsTried at the RM palenque tasting room. This was 51% and rock solid. Roasted, sugary agave. Dried fruit. Orange slices. A hint of milk chocolate to complement the velvety clay in the finish. Edgar works espadin magic here.
tallchad
53 reviewsA good all-around sipper. From aroma to taste to finish, it’s good.
COak
188 reviewsBatch RME-06 2017 51.1%. Nice clay pot espadin, which there aren’t a ton of. Nose has notes of clay pots and bananas. On the tongue I get a bunch of dark cocoa and red apples.
razorbackmike
133 reviewsnot an average espadin.a notch above.yin and yang.strong but soft.simple but complex.agave and smoke on the nose.taste is vanilla,fig and earth.finish lingers with gentle heat and smoke and very sweet.ANY agave can be sublime in the right hands.don lorenzo has made a perfect espadin.wish they were all like that but thats why we love mezcals.such an incredible variety in the mezcal world!
Spirit_Chaser
20 reviewsBatch L-0011 2012 52.3%abv Espadin 10yrs
Don Lorenzo Angeles Mendoza
Lots of clay and acetone on the nose as well as hints of lavender and vanilla. More clay on the taste along with vanilla, light smoke, delicate mint, and strawberry rhubarb pie. Clay and smoked strawberries and mint linger on forever in the finish. Surprisingly smooth given the very high ABV. One thing is for sure: the folks at Real Minero are masters of their craft.
Nic Hnastchenko
108 reviewsBatch RME-06 from 2017. I like a mezcal over 50%, this espadin did not disappoint, but their Largo has my heart (and I tasted that right before this).
thamthong
47 reviewsbatch L-00401, ‘08, don lorenzo angeles mendoza. fragrant and floral nose that makes it seem more like a sake or gin. roasted agave becomes more apparent as it opens. drinks mineral spring water. smooth and very refreshing. clay is at the upper end of the threshold for being pleasant, which is a great thing. easy and very pleasant drinking with this one.
Tyler
569 reviewsThis is a next level Espadin and it ain’t cheap. The one I tried is from nearly 10 years old! There are notes of clay, wood, and earth along with mint, vanilla, and lemon peel. It’s robust without being overpowering. There is a great balance here. Definitely try it if you see it. Batch L-00401 from 2008.
Jonny
581 reviewsBatch L-00401 from 2008. Bottle 735/2267. Hints of clay and light peat aromas. This is SUPER soft on the palate! Notes of cherry, dried apples, and stewed strawberries. This is light and refreshing. Highly recommended.