Banhez Joven Espadin/Barril Mezcal 375ml

Banhez is not owned by a single distillery but by a cooperative of over 36 Zapotec farming families in San Miguel Ejutla, in Oaxaca's central valley, who share ownership and profits collectively rather than working under one brand name. This structure grew out of a commitment to fair trade principles and has allowed the cooperative's mezcaleros to keep producing spirits the way their ancestors did for close to two centuries, prioritizing sustainability and community investment over rapid scale. The cooperative's efforts earned industry recognition when Banhez took home a Double Gold award for Best Mezcal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

This joven bottling combines 90% farm-grown Espadín agave with 10% wild Barril, a slower-maturing variety that lends the finished spirit added depth and a subtly vegetal, coppery edge. Production follows methods largely unchanged for generations: piñas are roasted in underground wood-fired pits, then ground using donkey-pulled tahonas before fermenting in wooden vats. The mash is distilled in small copper alembic stills, with the entire process carried out by hand across the cooperative's many participating families.

The nose leans toward roasted pineapple and tropical fruit with a subtle floral lift, while the palate brings the woody character of the Barril agave through the middle, adding structure beneath the espadín's natural sweetness. The finish carries light smoke and gentle spice, making this an easy, versatile mezcal for both sipping and mixing.