Distiller Notes
The Espadín Clay Pot Mezcal was Los Siete Misterios' first product. After learning from Maestros Mezcaleros across Mexico, they crafted the most traditional production process. They noticed distillates in Sola de Vega had a sweeter and spicier feature compared to other villages, so it was decided to produce their own Mezcal there and explored the concept “from seed to the bottle.” Los Siete Misterios Espadín Mezcal displays rich minerality with notes of avocado leaf, fresh herbs, flowers, and citrus.
Inspired by the passion, traditions, and culture of their native Mexico, brothers Eduardo and Julio Mestre founded Los Siete Misterios in 2010 with the goal of searching and sharing a spirit that represents the customs, culture, and passion of Mexico– Mezcal. Eduardo and Julio spent years sampling Mezcal from villages across Oaxaca. They met local Maestros Mezcaleros who use traditional techniques honed over generations. In an effort to preserve this ancestral knowledge, Eduardo and Julio teamed up with Maestro Mezcaleros to collaborate on a contemporary approach to traditional Mezcal.
Beginning with the highest quality Agave plants, Los Siete Misterios follows artisanal and limited production methods, including distilling with 100% natural Agave sugars from ripe plants, cooking in underground ovens, fermenting naturally, and distilling at least twice. Los Siete Misterios also continues the ancestral tradition of distilling some of their Mezcal in clay pots, which comprises less than 1% of all Mezcal production, in part because 40-60% of the liquid is lost during this type of distillation. Despite the extra cost of producing Clay Pot Mezcals, the brothers felt it was important to continue this ancestral distillation method to honor their Mexican heritage.
The Mestres have their own family Palenque and Agave Preservation Field in Sola de Vega. Eduardo and Julio’s mother, Doña Ángeles, and her husband, Don Eduardo, coordinate with Maestro Mezcaleros at their Palenque and oversee the Agave Preservation Field. The nursery there helps document Agave growth processes to ensure sustainable harvesting practices. Los Siete Misterios harvests its plants once they are a healthy size, allowing them to produce seeds,
and gives both seeds and plants to Maestro Mezcaleros in
their network. This way, Agave consumption is both sustainable and community-centered. These production practices allow Los Siete Misterios to pursue their goal of respecting Mezcal traditions and customs while supporting local Mexican workers.
Mezcal Joven or “young” is bottled within two months of distillation without barrel aging and will appear clear, like a Vodka or Gin. Longer barrel aging, with the principal aim to soften and round a spirit’s flavor profile, is often most prized by connoisseurs. However, many die-hard Mezcal enthusiasts insist that oak takes away from the purity of the agave flavors—ranging from earthy and smoky to sweet and floral, often in the same Mezcal—and that Mezcal Joven is the best expression.