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What it tastes like
An artisanal-style mezcal with a distinctive agave character. Mezcal is often smoky and earthy, depending on how it is made.
Peat smoke
Agave
Citrus
Warm spice
Additional information
- Tequila
- Style
- Mexico
- Origin
- 750ml
- Size
- Peat smoke
- Agave
- Citrus
- Warm spice
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Motel Mezcal J Artesanal
$89.99each
The story of Motel Mezcal J Artesanal
Motel Mezcal is a joven artesanal mezcal made in Oaxaca, Mexico, from 100 per cent espadín agave. It was created by Daniel López, a third-generation mezcalero, and co-founded with Henry Gordon, a New Zealand restaurateur who is the brand's chief executive. The mezcal is crafted and owned in partnership with its producers.
The espadín is grown for at least eight years, then left in the ground for up to two more to ripen. It is roasted in an underground pit oven lined with volcanic stones, then crushed by a horse-drawn tahona. Fermentation uses natural yeast in open pine vats, and the spirit is double distilled in copper stills. The spring water comes from Santiago Matatlán, and the 750ml bottle is 43 per cent, made in Mexico from recycled glass.
Despite the pit roasting, the smoke here is gentle. The mezcal is smooth and velvety, with herbal agave, ripe banana, pineapple and mild oak, and a faint smoky finish. It took gold at The Tequila and Mezcal Masters 2026 in the joven espadín category.
Pour it neat in a small glass with a slice of orange or grapefruit on the side. Its fruit also suits a Paloma or a Margarita in place of tequila.
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