Salvadores Mezcal Destilado con Cempasúchil

Crafted by Maestro Mezcalero Flavio Pérez Méndez at the family's Casa Palacios Destilería in Tlacolula de Matamoros, Oaxaca, this seasonal release from Salvadores honors Día de los Muertos through the infusion of cempasúchil, the marigold long used to guide spirits home during the holiday. The base spirit starts with mature, eight-year-old Espadín agave, roasted in earthen pits for smoky depth and crushed by traditional horse-drawn tahona. During the final distillation in copper alembic stills, fresh cempasúchil blossoms, along with a touch of seasonal citrus peel, are added directly to the still, infusing the spirit with their signature floral aromatics. The result is a vibrant, ethereal mezcal in the destilado con frutas y hierbas tradition. On the nose, expect bright florals layered with citrus zest, evoking a walk through an Oaxacan flower market in November. The palate is silky and coating, with a buttery, oily texture carrying notes of lemongrass, orange peel, and sweet cooked agave, while the marigold character blooms mid-palate into soft, herbal complexity balanced by the spirit's natural minerality. The finish is long, tingling, and refreshing, closing on citrus zest and herbal tea with a clean, dry fade.