The Lost Explorer Espadín

An agave spirits fanatic with over 13 years of experience in the industry, Kat has secured her position as one of the leading bar experts in the UK. She’s currently bartending at The American Bar at The Savoy Hotel in London whilst curating content and developing partnerships with brands around the world.

This mezcal has a soft, subtle spiciness with an underlying smokiness on the initial aroma, that then develops on the palate into a surprisingly fresh, green, earthy flavour profile with a touch of herbaceousness, allowing the true cooked agave notes to shine.

This mezcal is, in my opinion, perfect for any occasion as it is so versatile in cocktails. It can elevate a classic summer spritz by the pool into a fresh, smoky, grassy situation, or add depth to a bonfire-side conversation in the form of a cheeky mezcal negroni. As the smokiness doesn’t overpower the flavour palate of this mezcal, it’s a happy addition to any party I host.

As The Lost Explorer advocate - sip curiously. To truly experience mezcal is a journey that begins the second you pop the cork. Sit down with your loved ones, or by yourself; time is a key ingredient in both craft and consumption of this ancestral libation. “I give you my arms. I give you my heart. Now create something beautiful.” - Said the Agave to The Mezcalero.

This is a fantastic mezcal for all, as it is a divine introduction to what mezcal can be - not just smoke. It showcases the herbaceous notes of the agave plant and has a slight citrus sweet note similar to that of a candied green apple, allowing for an easy sipper. It can be playful in cocktails too, so for those who want to get a bit more experimental, this is for you too.

For myself personally, I would sip this neat at room temperature. If it’s a particularly warm environment then one block of ice with a spritz of discarded grapefruit zest across the top knocks it out of the park - but be prepared to never move from that spot again.

The best part about The Lost Explorer Espadín is that when added to cocktails it sings, especially as a replacement for the rye in a perfect Manhattan - delicious!

Ideally, you would want to use one large block of ice, as there is less surface area, and the dilution effect is a lot less than using several smaller cubes. This keeps the spirit cool without altering its profile too much.

For sipping, ceramics! I love the open wide rim of ceramic drinkware and it’s the best way to open up the profile of the mezcal. A chilled rocks glass will also do just fine! When using it in cocktails, be creative - there are no limits to what kind of glass you should use.

However, when serving Manhattan-style cocktails always put your martini glass in the freezer and remove it just before pouring. I like to have a backup martini glass in the freezer to swap out mid-cocktail to ensure a perfect temperature cocktail all the way through.

Mezcal pairs deliciously with spicy foods, especially with fiery salsa or cheesy empanadas. I am a secret fan of a wee mezcal and chocolate, especially a thick creamy mousse or ice cream. The bitterness of the chocolate brings out the sweetness in the mezcal, giving you a new way to enjoy the dessert life.