Peloton de da Muerte Mezcal Joven Espadin 750ML

Peloton de la Muerte Mezcal Joven Espadin 750ML is a 100% Espadin agave mezcal from Oaxaca, Mexico, bottled at 41% ABV (82 proof). Produced by Master Mezcalero Cutberto Santiago in Santiago Matatlán — widely regarded as the world capital of mezcal — this joven expression showcases ancestral production techniques that have been passed down through generations.

Quick Facts: ABV: 41% (82 proof)  |  Origin: Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca, Mexico  |  Joven (Unaged)  |  Master Mezcalero: Cutberto Santiago

Production & Heritage

Cutberto Santiago produces this mezcal using ancient traditional methods in the village of Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca. Espadin agave piñas are cooked in a stone pit oven covered with lava rocks for four to six days, then crushed using a traditional tahona stone wheel to extract their juices. The extracted liquid ferments for four or more days in open wooden vats relying exclusively on wild ambient yeast — no commercial yeast is introduced — before undergoing double distillation in copper pot stills. This process yields a joven mezcal with no barrel aging, allowing the raw character of the cooked agave and the terroir of Oaxaca to come through unfiltered by wood influence.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with maguey and soft wood smoke, layered with lemon zest and white pepper. Underneath, mineral tones and a subtle herbaceous quality emerge as the spirit breathes.

Taste: The entry is surprisingly creamy, with caramel-tinged agave sweetness giving way to kiwi fruit and ripe pear at the mid-palate. As the spirit develops, flavors of salt, lime, and dried peppercorn add savory complexity, balanced by a gentle dairy-like richness.

Finish: Semi-dry and medium in length, the finish trails off with subtle smoke from the pit-roasted agave and lingering notes of autumn leaves and warm spice. A faint citrus brightness lingers at the very end.

How to Drink Peloton de la Muerte

Sipping neat at room temperature in a copita or wide-rimmed glass allows the full range of smoke, fruit, and mineral character to emerge; a few drops of water can soften the pepper notes if desired. This joven Espadin also performs well in cocktails that benefit from a smoky backbone:

• Mezcal Margarita: The lime and salt notes already present in the spirit integrate seamlessly with fresh citrus and agave syrup.
• Oaxaca Old Fashioned: Split the base with reposado tequila — the smoke and caramel here stand up beautifully alongside mole bitters.
• Naked & Famous: The fruit-forward mid-palate balances the Aperol and yellow Chartreuse without losing its agave identity.

Best For

• Introducing friends to artisanal mezcal without overwhelming smokiness
• Building a home mezcal cocktail program with a versatile joven
• Pairing alongside a Mexican-inspired dinner or taco night
• Gifting a spirits enthusiast drawn to Day of the Dead culture and design

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Peloton de la Muerte taste like? It delivers a creamy, fruit-forward palate of kiwi, pear, and caramel-tinged agave sweetness, balanced by white pepper, salt, and a restrained smokiness on the finish.

How does Peloton de la Muerte compare to El Silencio? Both are joven Espadin mezcals from Oaxaca positioned at a similar price tier, but Peloton de la Muerte leans more toward fruit and cream, while El Silencio tends to emphasize a sharper mineral and citrus profile. Peloton de la Muerte's exclusive use of wild yeast fermentation and tahona crushing also distinguishes its production from many competitors at this level.

Is Peloton de la Muerte good for beginners? Yes — its moderate 41% ABV and relatively gentle smoke make it an approachable entry point for drinkers new to mezcal, while still retaining enough complexity to satisfy experienced palates.

Where is Peloton de la Muerte made? It is produced by Master Mezcalero Cutberto Santiago in Santiago Matatlán, a village in the Oaxacan highlands of southern Mexico that is widely considered the heartland of mezcal production.

What foods pair well with Peloton de la Muerte? Grilled shrimp tacos complement the citrus and smoke; mole negro echoes its pepper and caramel notes; fresh ceviche highlights its lime-like acidity; aged Oaxacan cheese mirrors its creamy texture; and dark chocolate with chili amplifies the warm spice on the finish.

What sizes does Peloton de la Muerte come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Peloton de la Muerte worth the price? It positions as an accessible, entry-to-mid-level artisanal mezcal that delivers traditional production methods — tahona milling, pit roasting, wild yeast fermentation, and copper pot distillation — at a price point where many competitors cut corners with mechanized processes.

Why Peloton de la Muerte?

What sets this mezcal apart at its price tier is the degree of traditional craft involved. The four-to-six-day pit roast with lava rocks, tahona crushing, and open-vat wild yeast fermentation are techniques more commonly associated with small-batch, higher-priced expressions. Master Mezcalero Cutberto Santiago's hands-on process in Santiago Matatlán produces a joven with genuine complexity — balancing fruit sweetness, savory minerality, and controlled smoke rather than leaning on any single flavor. For drinkers looking to explore Oaxacan mezcal beyond mass-produced bottles, Peloton de la Muerte represents an honest, traditionally made Espadin with enough character for sipping and enough versatility for cocktails.