Se Busca Joven Mezcal 750ML

Se Busca Joven Mezcal 750ML is a 100% Espadin agave mezcal from Oaxaca, Mexico, bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750ml format. This expression earned a Gold Medal and 94 points from the Beverage Tasting Institute in 2023, along with a Publisher's Pick and 93 points from Tasting Panel Magazine — recognition that reflects its refined, low-smoke character and clean agave-forward profile.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: San Juan del Río, Oaxaca, Mexico  |  Joven (Unaged)  |  Distillery: Lopez Sosa

Production & Heritage

Se Busca Joven is produced by maestros mezcaleros Rodolfo and Mary Lopez Sosa at their family distillery in San Juan del Río, Oaxaca. What distinguishes the Lopez Sosa method is a proprietary indirect-heat roasting technique that uses up to 70% less wood than conventional pit-roasting, coaxing out the agave's natural sweetness without burying it under heavy smoke. After roasting, the cooked piñas are crushed by a horse-drawn tahona stone, naturally fermented, and double-distilled in copper pot stills — a sequence that preserves bright, vegetal character in the final spirit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Roasted agave leads into green bell pepper, peppered citrus, and light floral notes. A thread of herbal smoke weaves underneath without dominating, joined by faint vanilla and nuttiness as the glass opens.

Taste: The entry is bright and clean, with crisp agave and white pepper hitting immediately. Mid-palate flavors expand into grilled herbs, green vegetables, and subtle minerality, while a restrained sweetness and light nutty quality balance the vegetal core.

Finish: Dry and slightly smoky, tapering with lingering citrus and a mellow spicy kick. The finish carries moderate weight and a gentle warmth that fades without bitterness.

How to Drink Se Busca Joven

Neat or with a single ice cube is the most rewarding serve — the low-smoke profile and herbaceous complexity are easy to appreciate at room temperature. For cocktails, this mezcal's clean, pepper-driven character makes it a versatile backbone:

• Mezcal Margarita: The green pepper and citrus notes dovetail naturally with fresh lime and agave nectar.
• Oaxacan Old Fashioned: Its subtle smokiness and minerality pair well with reposado tequila and mole bitters without overwhelming the drink.
• Naked & Famous: The herbal, vegetal profile stands up to Aperol and yellow Chartreuse, adding depth without excess fire.

Best For

• Introducing a mezcal-curious friend to the category without overwhelming smoke
• Building a home mezcal collection with a benchmark Oaxacan Espadin
• Hosting a blind tasting comparing joven mezcal styles
• Gifting a spirits enthusiast who values artisanal, small-batch production

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Se Busca Joven taste like? Se Busca Joven is defined by green bell pepper, crisp roasted agave, white pepper, and herbal notes, with only light smokiness and a dry, citrus-tinged finish. It leans vegetal and bright rather than heavy or ashy.

How does Se Busca Joven compare to Casamigos Mezcal Joven? Both are 100% Espadin joven mezcals from Oaxaca, but Se Busca emphasizes green, herbaceous, and peppery notes with minimal smoke, while Casamigos tends toward a rounder, smoother texture with more tropical fruit and herbal mint character. Se Busca's indirect-heat roasting gives it a distinctly cleaner agave profile compared to Casamigos' softer, more approachable style.

Is Se Busca Joven good for sipping neat? Yes — its 40% ABV, bright agave flavor, and restrained smoke make it an approachable neat sipper, particularly for drinkers who want to taste agave and terroir rather than heavy char.

Where is Se Busca Joven made? Se Busca Joven is produced at the Lopez Sosa distillery in San Juan del Río, Oaxaca, Mexico, a region long recognized as the heartland of mezcal production.

What foods pair well with Se Busca Joven? Grilled shrimp tacos with salsa verde complement its green pepper and herbal character. Fresh ceviche mirrors its citrus and minerality. Aged Oaxacan cheese (quesillo) echoes its subtle nuttiness. Mole negro adds richness that contrasts the spirit's dry, clean finish. Jicama salad with chili-lime seasoning highlights its vegetal brightness.

What sizes does Se Busca Joven come in? Se Busca Joven is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Se Busca Joven worth the price? Se Busca Joven positions as a mid-range artisanal mezcal — its traditional tahona production, proprietary low-smoke roasting method, and 94-point BTI score place it above mass-market options while remaining accessible compared to ultra-premium single-village bottlings.

Why Se Busca Joven?

The indirect-heat roasting method is the defining feature here — by using up to 70% less wood than conventional mezcal production, the Lopez Sosa family has engineered a spirit where agave character, not smoke, drives the experience. That distinction earned it a 94-point Gold Medal from the Beverage Tasting Institute and a 93-point Publisher's Pick from Tasting Panel Magazine, both in competitive fields. For drinkers who have bounced off mezcal because of aggressive smokiness, Se Busca Joven represents a genuine alternative: traditional Oaxacan craftsmanship — horse-drawn tahona, copper pot stills, natural fermentation — filtered through a production philosophy that puts the Espadin agave front and center.