Agua Magica’s Espadin Capon is a single origin, artisanal Mezcal crafted by Maestro Mezcalero Julio Cesar Juan Martinez from 100% Espadin Capon, literally, castrated Agave plants. They only harvest the Agave when the Quiote starts to shoot up from 15 to over 30 feet tall and the plant reaches the ‘Death Bloom’ phase. Agaves flower only once in their lifetime, emerging usually after 7 to 15 years. The appearance of the Quiote signals that the plant has reached the end of its life cycle and will eventually die after blooming. At this moment, they cut the Quiote (castrate it), to prevent the ‘sugar drain’ which pulls massive amounts of energy, starches, and sugars out of the plant's heart, or piña into the stalk. With nowhere to go, the sugars and starches are redirected back into the piña, resulting in a more complex, richer Mezcal. The agave is hand picked and buried in an earth oven to cook with white oak for 3 days. The agave is crushed in Tahona, the cooked skins release sugar under the pressure of a stone wheel being pulled by horses and donkeys. Fermentation takes place with naturally occurring yeasts and is distilled twice in copper stills before bottling. At 45% abv, this strong, compelling Mezcal can be enjoyed neat, with a rock and a lime, or in our fave twist on a classic cocktail, El Ultimo Palabra - Buen provecho!