Bozal Ensamble is made with cultivated maguey Espadin and wild maguey Barril and Mexicano. It’s slightly smoky with lots of herbal tones.
About this mezcal
Bozal Ensamble is made with maguey Espadin, Barril, and Mexicano. The maguey Barril and Mexicano in this mezcal are both harvest from the wild, while the maguey Espadin is cultivated. This ensamble is slightly smoky with an herbaceous undertone that rests on the center of the palate. Citrus and floral notes from the Barril are introduced and strengthened by the warm viscous finish of the Mexicano. This ensamble is produced by three different mezcaleros (Fermin Garcia, Lucio Bautista, or Don Adrian Bautista) from two different towns (San Dionisio Ocotepec or Ejutla de Crespo). Check your bottle for details.
Bozal Mezcal
Mezcal Bozal is a craft, artisan, handmade Mezcal. They celebrate the wild side of the Mezcal world and the wild agave used to produce such rich spirits. They use agave from the steep precarious hillsides of Oaxaca and Guerrero that are indigenous to the region. These varietals produce flavors that are exotically intense, with rich earth tones and savory smokiness. From the heart of the maguey these flavors are traditionally extracted to produce mezcal that is wildly refined.
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Jose M. Aguayo
9 reviewsNose: Floral
Taste: cinnamon, smoke, citrus, acidic
Ranger_Ryan
36 reviewsLot 00322
I really liked this at times, and just thought it was ok at others. The Barril adds sharpness, grassy. Smoke is evident. Good for the price.
Chad W.
11 reviewsLot #622
Nose is roasted nuts and firewood
Taste is some umami up front with a citrus-y acidic coldbrew coffee to follow. Some minerality notes and finishes on the smokier side.
Great intorductory mezcal but any price above $50 is a bit steep.
peastman
2 reviewsThis one is “just ok” for me…with a great smoky taste but a long way from the smoothness of the Pechuga Bozal – however this one is ~$60/bottle in my area.
Sverhage
7 reviewsReally dig this for the price point. Excellent quality to price ratio.
Tasting note: Citrus, lime, attractive nose, fresh, alive.
Buy again- Yes. Though I prefer the middle tier, Cenzio in the teal bottle.
Love Bozal ceramic bottles- they are a piece of art.
Maguey: Espadin, Barril y Mexico
Pueblo: Miahautlan y Etla
Estado: Oaxaca
Classes: Joven
NOM: 0472x
Lot number: 00222
Alcohol: 47%
Mezcal Mike
29 reviewsLot 00122. Before I got to the store, even as I pulled into the parking lot ostensibly to search for other wares, I had convinced myself that my initial attraction to this bottle was superficial. Perhaps overcome with optimism given my other finds, I erred on the side of adventure and scored this solid flavor. Nothing fancy, and I’d probably not replace it for the price I paid for it —$54.99— but it does deliver a relatively robust punch that settles nicely but does not linger too much. Worth a taste and I’m satisfied with my choice.
Lot 00122. Before I got to the store, even as I pulled into the parking lot ostensibly to search for other wares, I had convinced myself that my initial attraction to this bottle was superficial. Perhaps overcome with optimism given my other finds, I erred on the side of adventure and scored this solid flavor. Nothing fancy, and I’d probably not replace it for the price I paid for it —$54.99— but it does deliver a relatively robust punch that settles nicely but does not linger too much.
Forpowder
43 reviewsLot 322 47% Pueblo M. Y Etla. Aroma from the bottle reminds me of sweet pouch tobacco leaf and nail polish with a lemon-like scent to it. The flavor reminds me of green grass, Sage with a nice balance of smoky bitter cactus.
Zbourgraf
1 reviewSweet at the beginning but stiff at the end. Great volume type of drink. Would drink again.
Jonathan Lockwood
13 reviewsAlthough I live in Mexico, I’ve been seeing this Bozal posted by a number of mezcal aficionados in the US lately. While visiting my daughter in the US a couple of months ago, I found it at Trader Joe’s for only $36.99. Hmmm?
For those of us who are pretty experienced with mezcal, we can often tell whether a distillation is worthwhile. Not always, true. But if it includes—not only Espadín—but also some wild agaves, such as in this case Barril and Mexicano…AND if they let the grado go up pretty high, (in this case 47%,) normally its worth checking out.
Not so much with this one I’m sorry to say.
Is this special? No. Is it disgusting? Also no. Is it actually worthwhile? If I had a bottle of this at home, I would give it away–to someone who didn’t know any better. But if I found myself removed against my will from my beloved Mexico–and if it were the only mezcal for miles, I’d drink it. Salud.
Although I live in Mexico, I’ve been seeing this Bozal posted by a number of mezcal aficionados in the US lately. While visiting my daughter in the US a couple of months ago, I found it at Trader Joe’s for only $36.99. Hmmm?
For those of us who are pretty experienced with mezcal, we can often tell whether a distillation is worthwhile. Not always, true. But if it includes—not only Espadín—but also some wild agaves, such as in this case Barril and Mexicano…AND if they let the gr
Justin.Anderson3
14 reviewsLOT 03620
Nose is sweet, grassy and slight cheese at the end. The mouth is a medium body, strong finish, very smoky this batch. I enjoyed this one, but there are better ones out there. The barril flavor on this one is very dominant than the other agaves. I would drink again. Not bad.
SoloAgave
86 reviewsNot sure how Bozal makes anything on these expressions but for $40 its a winner. Good heat, cooked agave, slight spicy complexity, but overall very agreeable. Seems like this bottle is everywhere recently: Trader Joes, Whole Foods, and cocktail bars.
Leif
8 reviewsa decent offering from bozal in the ensamble variety. while i normally prefer my ensambles to consist of 100% wilds, this majority espadin ensamble has a nice light and sweet characteristic. the grassy taste of the mexicano comes through in the bottle i had. would like to try another batch and compare
meserole
72 reviewsNeeded something for mixing cocktails to avoid the impulse of pulling from my $100+ collection, and an ensamble of mexicano, barril, and espadin for only about $48 caught my attention. I know I’ve had some of their more expensive single agave variants before but not this one.
Hot and boozy on the nose, with the creamy, slightly detergent/perfume flavor that I’ve come to associate with Mexicanos.
Not super complex, but very pleasant, and a good way to show folks new to mezcal that “smokiness” is merely one possible flavor that mezcal can offer. (None of that here).
Probably 3.5 stars in a vacuum but I can’t help but factor in a good value and I think this is one. That fancy bottle makes for a good gift too 😉
Needed something for mixing cocktails to avoid the impulse of pulling from my $100+ collection, and an ensamble of mexicano, barril, and espadin for only about $48 caught my attention. I know I’ve had some of their more expensive single agave variants before but not this one.
Hot and boozy on the nose, with the creamy, slightly detergent/perfume flavor that I’ve come to associate with Mexicanos.
Not super complex, but very pleasant, and a good way to show folks new to mezcal that “smoki
Wanderingspider
53 reviewsLOT: 01719
Nose- definitely a bit hot and volatile, brown sugar, vanilla, roasted maguey and a bit of a gingerbread thing going on. Also classic bubblegum?
Palate- some spice (cinnamon), lime zest and…wet but not moldy cardboard. Boozey with this sort of alkaline finish.
Not flashy but reminds me of mexico.
This score on this page I would say is very accurate for this particular bottle
In between a 3.5 and 3.75 for sure.
HighWine
75 reviewsEspadín-Barrill. Sweet nose that reminds of taffy and pimento olives. Taste makes me think tequila at first. It’s smooth but not for the faint of heart. I know people love this brand but it comes across as one-note to me: oven roasted cactus. Good mouthfeel. Fine for the price point but not something I would seek out over alternatives.
TzotollineRaramuri
75 reviewsLot 02920
?- clear
?- soft drying impact.
Aromas of mamey, ripe banana, guava, wild floral honey, mint, thyme, green penca de maguey, cucumber, peppercorn, light smoke.
Adequate & complex production.
Average length and fine character.
?- astringent effect with some coating; sufficient smooth to rough alcohol; medium body.
Primarily bitter taste, with light sweet/sour/piquant/savory highlights; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of raw wild honey, cooked sweet potato, persistent smokyness, peppercorn, and mint.
Concentrated flavor intensity, slightly complex, harmonious balance.
Pleasant and very long finish.
Very good to excellent overall impression.
*bold character, yet not over board; well balanced, very interesting profile.
Learn more about organoleptic evaluation at the International Wine & Spirits Guild’s seminar in Fine Spirits,
or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.
Lot 02920
?- clear
?- soft drying impact.
Aromas of mamey, ripe banana, guava, wild floral honey, mint, thyme, green penca de maguey, cucumber, peppercorn, light smoke.
Adequate & complex production.
Average length and fine character.
?- astringent effect with some coating; sufficient smooth to rough alcohol; medium body.
Primarily bitter taste, with light sweet/sour/piquant/savory highlights; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of raw wild honey, cooked sweet potato, persistent smokyness, peppercor
ElAgave
34 reviewsNose – citrus punch, lemon zest, lime rind, creaminess, vegetal
Palate – clay, barnyard, soil, hay, green vegetal, citrus rind, grassy
Finish – fresh green veggies, wet soil, clay
El_Roberto
23 reviewsVery sweet both on the nose and taste. A light hint of citrus and vanilla, a bit of smoke. Not much of a finishing taste
El-pastor
1 reviewLot #2920
Sweet and likable with notes of toasty guava flan. Smooth, fruity and likable. Good value for the price!
Zack Klamn
512 reviewsLot No. 02619
Nose: More smoke than sweet. Slight ethanol. Cool mineral saltiness to it – reminds me of wet cobblestones at the beach.
Palate: Viscous feel at first. A stony bitterness to it. Pick up some lemon citrus but not sour. Awesome spicy smoke on the back end – jalapeno and mesquite two hit combo… BOOM! Nice lingering saltiness.
I dig this Bozal Ensamble and would buy it again.
Mexicoinmyglass
7 reviewsLot 02119 – NOM 04772-X This is my new favorite sipping mezcal. Mexicano and Barril make great ensambles, both wild species and a cultivar Espadin from San Dionisio Ocotepec and Ejutla. Three maestros mezcaleros.
Earthy notes, tobacco, coffee. Nice finish and lingering taste, I wouldn’t mix with anything but will continue to sip at 47% ABV this is a joy in my glass.
donpedro
39 reviewsFor this price point, this is a decent ensamble. A bit sweet with overtones of salt and definite mesquite and ancho chile smoke. Hints of grass and light citrus.
t8ke
144 reviewsMedium mouth feel. A bit hot, but not punishing. Honey, almond, pepper, faint minerality. Light clay. Coffee, pepper, lemon, lightly earthy.
Fairly interesting, quite complex given where this sits on the shelf. It’s got enough going on to be really interesting, but not so much that it destroys a cocktail. Winner.
Mansson
71 reviewsLot 000216, distilled November 2016. Starts out with anise (cough syrup) and herbs. Then there are a lot of burnt flavours: charred wood, smoke, burnt rubber. Very dry. A bit disjointed.
CasaDeGuero
21 reviewsA simple and traditional mezcal flavor on the nose with noticeable smoke and sweetness. A bit bitter initially followed by a relatively plain heat with good long lasting burn. Nothing elaborate in terms of flavor but a solid sipper with a simple but reasonable flavor.
Batch: 02149
Cy Bister
26 reviewsNose is understated; earth and wet stone dominate with hints of roasted chili, cucumber, and herbs. Taste is surprisingly sweet and mineral which was unexpected given the nose. Vanilla, roasted agave, and maybe a hint of cinnamon with a subtle but still satisfying smoky finish. Amazingly not very hot at all given the 47% ABV. Fairly salty. This is quite good.
El-Dawg
182 reviewsOverall a pretty decent ensemble. Big finish with spiciness lingering on the tongue. Decent balance, body, and smoke. Will revisit again.
This is a great bang for your buck mezcal….hits well above it’s weight class. Cream, pepper, spice…some green buried down in there…little too smoky but not a problem for $40. Originally rating of 3.5 is still applicable.
Clevercircle
2 reviewsBalanced, slight smoke, easy to drink, good depth of flavor and finish
tjdittrich
3 reviewsI have come back to this bottle a few times and enjoy it more each time. Very citrus, slightly spicy at the start, with an herbal smoky finish. There is a lot going on here and you definitely need a few sessions with this mezcal to truly appreciate. Lot: 02319 from NOM-O472X
meighmey
18 reviewsLot 01219 (from NOM-O47X) … Aromas of wet stone; earthy with a floral notes. Flavors of mesquite, juniper and orange peel supported by a light roast. At first, there are no dominant aromas or flavors but as the mezcal passed the mid-palate, it all comes together for a delicious long finish. Enjoyed neat. Favorably priced < $45 usd
GeorgePBurdell
48 reviewsLot 02619
Mesquite smoke and floral on the nose. Sweet viscous agave on the palate. Finish is long with gentle smoke, citrus, and mineralality. Nice
pykej101
3 reviewsExuberant, fresh, and bright. Great, clean, entry-level Mezcal.
Nic Hnastchenko
108 reviewsLove the color of this bottle. A lot of my favorite agaves here, not a lot of bite but leans a bit sweeter.
Hörky Båmf
20 reviewsLot No. 01319. Found this a little harsh and uninteresting at first. Came back to it after the bottle had been open a few weeks to discover it much improved. A little sweet, a little salty, mostly clean and cool type flavors, green bell pepper and jalapeño, mild mint, bitter herbs. Really not bad at all, especially when price is factored in. Guess it just needed some air.
rsidrys
50 reviewsBetter than I expected. Salty sea breeze on the nose. Very savory palate of bbq chips, mesquite, pine bark. Finish comes with a blast of paprika, spice, and smoke. I found it interesting how the smoke mostly came on the back end…like a last second ambush.
Rakhal
398 reviewsLot 718. Yummy! I really liked this Mezcal with flavors of caramel, thyme, and ancho chile.
EJMoosa
1 reviewThis is our first purchase of a mezcal. The smoky flavor is exhilarating and the flavors do linger on the palette as others have described. The price point was a great starting point to explore this world of artisan craftsmanship.
TheAgaveFairy
168 reviewsGrassy, sugarcane, kiwi, starfruit, nice smoke, kinda clay. Lemon oils, lemon leaf, lime peel, gardenia or lily of the valley, ceylon, whiffs of pink peppercorn. Decent complexity. This has oxidized a touch, and rather well. Mild salt, some herbal heat that would remind me of a gin botanical, maybe coriander and cilantro.
On the palette: more minerality than expected, plays up the sweet with a touch of sour – nice. Refreshing. Grassiness and bright light tropical fruit dances over the minerality.
For value, this deserves another star.
Grassy, sugarcane, kiwi, starfruit, nice smoke, kinda clay. Lemon oils, lemon leaf, lime peel, gardenia or lily of the valley, ceylon, whiffs of pink peppercorn. Decent complexity. This has oxidized a touch, and rather well. Mild salt, some herbal heat that would remind me of a gin botanical, maybe coriander and cilantro.
On the palette: more minerality than expected, plays up the sweet with a touch of sour – nice. Refreshing. Grassiness and bright light tropical fruit dances over the minerali
Dave
12 reviewsBozal is a good mezcal. Good price to value ratio.
Little depth, flavors do not stand out. This would be a good mezcal to introduce friends to. Very neutral and has a great looking bottle.
Mezcal is hard to find in Kansas, yet this is in most liquor stores.
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsAbove average, grassy. Clean. Dont remember too much because this was the 37th mezcal/tequila during the tasting
Patrick
54 reviewsLot: 000417
Distilled: Nov 2016
Nose: light, with sweet vanilla opening up. Notes of green and herbs.
Mouth: a little hot with a medium body. Sweet and very herbal.
Finish: Dry and with a Gin aftertaste.
Tyler
612 reviewsFloral on the nose. Barril flavors are prominent with a kick from the Mexicano. Little cinnamon, smoke, and citrus. Acidic finish. Lot 000216.
Jonny
634 reviewsLot 000216 from November 2016. Overall, this mezcal is tasty. It’s very sweet on the nose with notes of Mexican vanilla, sweet potatoes, and gala apples. The mouthfeel is light and slippery. Tasting notes of burnt orange, cinnamon, and vanilla beans.
Logan
This is my 6th or 7th mezcal to try and it was one of the more herbal/lighter mezcals. There was little smoky/rust taste and more herbal fruit, great nose. Neat bottle that is heavier than expected.