The Lost Explorer Mezcal Salmiana

The Lost Explorer Salmiana is the most herbaceous bottling in the range, a joven mezcal made from Salmiana (Agave salmiana), a distinct highland species from the rocky, dry soils of central Mexico known locally as the green giant and sometimes as verde. It is genuinely scarce, available only in small local batches, and the plant can take up to twenty five years to mature, which makes any Salmiana mezcal a rare thing.
The agave is roasted in earthen pits and crushed on a stone tahona before fermentation and distillation in the Lost Explorer style. Salmiana tends toward the vegetal and dry, and that shows here as a sweet yet spicy spirit with green chilli, grapefruit and fresh agave on the nose, then citrus, dried herbs and a peppery, earthy, mineral palate. Bottled at 42%, it is a grassy, characterful counterpoint to the sweeter espadin in the lineup.