Corte Vetusto Espadin Mezcal 750ML

Corte Vetusto Espadin Mezcal 750ML is a joven mezcal from Mitla, Oaxaca, made from 100% mature agave Espadin and bottled at 45% ABV (90 proof). This expression has earned multiple Mezcal Trophy awards from the International Wine & Spirit Competition, including Gold Outstanding in 2017 and the Mezcal Trophy again in 2022, establishing it as one of the most decorated Espadin mezcals in its class.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45%  |  Origin: Mitla, Oaxaca, Mexico  |  Style: Joven (Unaged)  |  Distillery: Corte Vetusto

Production & Heritage

Corte Vetusto produces this Espadin in Mitla, a town in the Tlacolula Valley of Oaxaca with deep pre-Hispanic roots. Mature Espadin agave (Angustifolia) is roasted, then crushed using a traditional tahona stone mill before undergoing natural fermentation. The liquid is double distilled in small 250-liter copper pot stills, and during distillation, the agave fibers remain in the still alongside the liquid—an unconventional technique that extracts additional complexity and depth from the plant material. The mezcal is distilled to proof at 45% ABV, meaning no water is added post-distillation to adjust the final strength.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Roasted agave leads, followed by layers of ripe fruit, raisin, and burnt sugar. A gentle veil of wood smoke weaves through without dominating.

Taste: The entry is rich with beautifully caramelized agave sweetness that transitions into vegetal and herbal tones at mid-palate. Black pepper and fresh mint emerge as the flavors build, balanced by a savory, almost mineral undertone. The overall impression is one of excellent equilibrium between sweetness, spice, and smoke.

Finish: Long and layered, with dried fruit and butterscotch giving way to gentle spice and a fleeting hint of citrus. The smoke returns softly, lingering without overstaying.

How to Drink Corte Vetusto Espadin

Sipping neat at room temperature is the most rewarding way to experience the full range of flavors; a few drops of water can open up the fruit and herbal notes further. Its 45% ABV and natural complexity also make it a serious cocktail ingredient.

• Oaxacan Old Fashioned: The roasted agave and butterscotch character stand up beautifully to mole bitters and agave syrup.
• Mezcal Negroni: Smoke and herbal qualities create a compelling counterpoint to sweet vermouth and Campari.
• Naked & Famous: The dried fruit and pepper notes harmonize with yellow Chartreuse and Aperol in this modern classic.

Best For

• Introducing a whisky drinker to artisanal mezcal through a balanced, approachable expression
• Building an agave spirits collection with a critically acclaimed benchmark Espadin
• Gifting a cocktail enthusiast who values versatile, award-winning spirits
• Hosting a mezcal tasting flight alongside reposado or tobala expressions for contrast

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Corte Vetusto Espadin taste like? It delivers roasted agave sweetness balanced by gentle smoke, black pepper, mint, and herbal notes, with dried fruit and butterscotch emerging on a long finish. The overall profile is well-balanced and approachable without sacrificing complexity.

How does Corte Vetusto Espadin compare to Del Maguey Vida? Both are Oaxacan Espadin mezcals, but Corte Vetusto is bottled at a higher 45% ABV (versus Vida's 42%) and is distilled with agave fibers left in the still, which tends to produce a richer, more textured spirit. Corte Vetusto also holds multiple IWSC Mezcal Trophy wins, giving it an edge in competition credentials.

Is Corte Vetusto Espadin good for sipping neat? Absolutely—its distilled-to-proof character and layered flavor profile reward slow, deliberate sipping, and a few drops of water can further reveal its fruit and herbal nuances.

Where is Corte Vetusto Espadin made? It is produced in Mitla, a town in the Tlacolula Valley of Oaxaca, Mexico, a region with centuries of mezcal-making tradition and one of the heartlands of agave Espadin cultivation.

What foods pair well with Corte Vetusto Espadin? Grilled carne asada benefits from the mezcal's smokiness; fresh ceviche contrasts nicely with its roasted agave sweetness; dark chocolate amplifies the dried fruit and butterscotch finish; aged Oaxacan cheese echoes its savory, mineral undertones; and mole negro mirrors the spirit's complex spice and smoke layers.

What sizes does Corte Vetusto Espadin come in? The standard offering is the 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Corte Vetusto Espadin worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium artisanal mezcal, and its multiple international trophies—including repeated IWSC Mezcal Trophy wins—place it among the most critically validated Espadin expressions at its price tier, representing strong value for the quality delivered.

Why Corte Vetusto Espadin?

Few Espadin mezcals at this price point carry the weight of repeated international trophy wins, including Gold Outstanding and two Mezcal Trophies from the IWSC and Best in Show at the 2020 Las Vegas Global Spirit Awards. The decision to distill with agave fibers in the still and bottle at proof without water adjustment results in a mezcal that tastes unmistakably hand-made yet remarkably refined. Where many joven Espadin expressions lean heavily on either smoke or sweetness, Corte Vetusto finds a rare equilibrium between the two, anchored by genuine structural complexity. It is a serious mezcal that rewards both the curious newcomer and the experienced agave spirits drinker.