Salvadores Mezcal Joven Espadin 750ML

Salvadores Mezcal Joven Espadin 750ML is a traditionally produced joven mezcal made from 100% Espadín agave in Oaxaca, Mexico, bottled at 47% ABV (94 proof). This expression earned 96 points from Tastings.com in 2022 and was named to the Top 99 Mezcales list by CAVA Revista that same year, establishing it as one of the more decorated artisanal mezcals in its price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 47%  |  Origin: Tlacolula de Matamoros, Oaxaca, Mexico  |  Joven (Unaged)  |  Distillery: Casa Palacios Destilería

Production & Heritage

Salvadores is produced by mezcalero Flavio Pérez Méndez and his family at Casa Palacios Destilería in Tlacolula de Matamoros, Oaxaca — a facility constructed in 2019. The Espadín agave (Agave angustifolia) is cooked in an earthen conic pit oven, then crushed using a tahona stone wheel pulled by horse, a labor-intensive traditional method increasingly uncommon as many producers shift to mechanical shredders. The mash ferments naturally before undergoing double distillation in copper pot stills, yielding a spirit with pronounced agave character and notable complexity for a joven expression. Note that Salvadores also produces this Espadín expression at 42% ABV; the 47% bottling reviewed here carries the higher critical scores.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe tamarind and caramel sweetness before shifting toward dried chiles, roasted peppers, and a faint leathery, slightly industrial quality. Beneath those layers, dried grass and earthy cooked agave emerge with time in the glass.

Taste: The entry is dry and citrus-forward, dominated by grapefruit and orange rind with a touch of jalapeño heat at mid-palate. A thicker-than-expected viscosity carries flavors of over-roasted caramel and orange creamsicle into the peak, while light cinnamon and anise add spice complexity underneath the citrus.

Finish: Medium-long and bittersweet, closing on walnuts and pecans with lingering cooked agave and gentle smoke. The warmth recedes slowly, leaving a clean, dry impression.

How to Drink Salvadores Joven

At 47% ABV, this mezcal drinks well neat in a copita or wide-mouthed glass, where the citrus and chile aromatics have room to develop. A few drops of water can soften the spirit and amplify the caramel and tamarind notes on the nose.

• Mezcal Negroni: The grapefruit rind bitterness and smoky backbone stand up to Campari and sweet vermouth without being buried.
• Oaxacan Old Fashioned: Pair it with reposado tequila and agave syrup — the smoke and caramel from Salvadores add depth the cocktail demands.
• Mezcal Paloma: The natural citrus character and chile heat complement grapefruit soda, creating a Paloma with more dimension than a tequila-based version.

Best For

• Mezcal enthusiasts exploring small-batch, tahona-crushed expressions
• Gifting someone who values traditional Oaxacan production methods
• Building a mezcal cocktail program with a versatile, higher-proof base spirit
• Side-by-side tastings comparing artisanal versus industrially produced joven mezcals

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Salvadores Joven taste like? Salvadores Joven Espadín leads with dry citrus — grapefruit and orange rind — layered over jalapeño spice, caramel, and cooked agave, finishing with bittersweet walnut and pecan notes. The smoke is present but restrained, sitting beneath the fruit and spice rather than overwhelming them.

How does Salvadores Joven compare to Casamigos Mezcal Joven? Both are Espadín-based joven mezcals from Oaxaca, but Salvadores is tahona-crushed and bottled at a higher 47% ABV, delivering more textural weight and agave intensity. Casamigos Joven tends toward a smoother, more approachable profile at a lower proof, making Salvadores the pick for drinkers who want bolder, more traditional character.

Is Salvadores Joven good for sipping neat? Yes — the 47% ABV provides enough structure for neat sipping without excessive burn, and the complex interplay of citrus, chile, and caramel rewards slow drinking. A few drops of water further open the aromatics for those sensitive to higher-proof spirits.

Where is Salvadores Joven made? Salvadores Joven Espadín is produced at Casa Palacios Destilería in Tlacolula de Matamoros, a town in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, Mexico — one of the heartland regions for mezcal production. The spirit is made by mezcalero Flavio Pérez Méndez and his family.

What foods pair well with Salvadores Joven? Grilled carne asada benefits from the smoky, citrus-driven profile. Mole negro mirrors the spirit's caramel and chile complexity. Fresh ceviche contrasts the mezcal's warmth with bright acidity. Aged Oaxacan cheese (quesillo) and roasted chapulines (grasshoppers) are classic regional pairings that echo the earthy, savory qualities of the spirit.

What sizes does Salvadores Joven come in? The standard bottle size is 750ml, which is the most widely distributed format for this expression.

Is Salvadores Joven worth the price? Salvadores positions as a mid-range artisanal mezcal, and the tahona-crushed production, copper pot double distillation, and 96-point Tastings.com score place it well above many similarly priced industrial joven mezcals in terms of quality and complexity. For drinkers who value traditional methods and verifiable critical recognition, it represents strong value in the category.

Why Salvadores Joven?

The horse-drawn tahona crush is the defining production detail here — it yields a different textural and flavor profile than roller-milled or mechanically shredded agave, contributing to the spirit's notable viscosity and layered complexity. The 96-point score from Tastings.com and inclusion in CAVA Revista's Top 99 Mezcales of 2022 confirm that the quality translates from method to glass. At 47% ABV, this bottling occupies a sweet spot between approachable joven mezcals and cask-strength expressions, making it equally credible neat or as the anchor of agave-forward cocktails. For a distillery established as recently as 2019, the level of critical recognition Salvadores has already achieved speaks to the Pérez Méndez family's command of traditional Oaxacan mezcal-making.