This is the bottle most people meet 400 Conejos through, and it is a well judged introduction to mezcal rather than a compromise. Everything is Espadín, the cultivated maguey that accounts for the large majority of Oaxacan production and the genetic relative of the blue agave used in tequila. Espadín matures in six to eight years rather than the decade or more that wild varieties demand, which is what makes a bottle like this possible at an accessible price without cutting corners on method. And the method is printed right on the front label, which is unusually forthcoming. The agave comes from Tlacolula in Oaxaca, is roasted in a wood fired cone shaped oven, milled by stone driven by horse, fermented in wooden vats and distilled in copper. That is traditional artisanal production described in plain terms rather than gestured at. The cone shaped wood oven is where the smoke comes from, and here it lands moderate and well integrated rather than overwhelming, which matters if you are pouring this for people who think they do not like mezcal. What reaches the glass is clean and clear, with cooked agave and citrus on the nose over a gentle wood smoke, and a palate that stays bright and herbal with a soft sweetness and light pepper. The finish is smooth and warming without heat. At 80 proof it drinks easily neat in a copita, and it is also the sensible 400 Conejos to reach for when you are mixing, since it holds its shape in a mezcal margarita or a paloma without costing what a wild maguey bottling does.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
40% |
| Proof |
80 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
Mexico |
| Region |
Oaxaca |
| Town |
Tlacolula |
| Category |
Mezcal Artesanal |
| Expression |
Joven |
| Maguey |
100% Espadín |
| Oven |
Wood fired, cone shaped |
| Milling |
Stone driven by horse |
| Fermentation |
Wooden vat |
| Distillation |
Distilled in copper |
| Age |
Unaged |
Tasting Notes
Color: Clear and bright, unaged with no wood contact.
Nose: Cooked agave and citrus lead, with a gentle wood smoke and light herbal notes behind.
Palate: Clean and bright, with sweet roasted agave, herbal green character and a light pepper, carried on a moderate integrated smoke.
Finish: Smooth and warming, medium in length, closing on lingering agave and soft smoke.
FAQ
What proof is 400 Conejos Joven? It is bottled at 80 proof, or 40 percent alcohol by volume.
What is Espadín? The cultivated maguey behind most Oaxacan mezcal, and the genetic relative of the blue agave used in tequila. It matures in roughly six to eight years, far faster than wild varieties.
How does this differ from the Espadín Tobalá bottling? This is Espadín only, from Tlacolula, roasted in a wood fired cone shaped oven. The ensamble adds wild Tobalá, draws on two towns, and uses a volcanic earth pit oven, giving it more citrus and floral lift at a higher price.
Is it very smoky? Moderately. The smoke comes from roasting the agave in a wood fired oven rather than from any additive, and it stays balanced rather than dominating, which makes this a good first mezcal.
Can I mix with it? Yes. It works neat in a copita and holds up well in a mezcal margarita, paloma or smoky highball.
Where can I buy 400 Conejos Joven Mezcal online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
