Del Maguey Tobala

Good not great

Lot TOB-141, 2015?

1/25/22: The nose is fairly light, fruity, with ripe peaches and some cinnamon. Mango, plums, apples, lots of fruit here. The palette is a touch hot, but the finish is smooth and leathery with some smokiness.

While this is not as much of a floral fruit bomb as some other tobalas, I am really drawn to the balance of the fruit with some of the more earthy, smoky qualities.

Nose – Papaya. Cinnamon.

Palate – Dried tropical fruit. Sharp flavor. A nice mezcal although some ethanol burn on the back end knocked it down a peg.

I took a break from Mezcal for a few months. And today I just had this amazing Tobala. I’m transported to a simpler life that tastes musky, sweet, cinnamonie, and seductive. Drinking in the traditional neat way. Lovely…

Love seeing how variable the reviews are — I should’ve taken note of the bottle and lot info. Found a pour of this at an unassuming taco shop in Brooklyn that had a surprising array of mezcal bottles that I saw from the street.

Wet stone, clay, rocks, banana, vanilla. I would absolutely by a bottle of this. One of the best offerings from Del Maguey that I’ve sampled.

Tob-181, first sip from the bottle.
Immediately exposing a stronger nose than expected, it smells of ephemeral fruit, varnish and antique bookshop. Quince, lime, light smoke, vanilla and cassia cinnamon.

Edit: I’ve tried several batches, consistently very, very nice all of them. Mezcals from the three Albarradas villages I’ve tried have all been viscous, fruity, and well balanced. Top notch.

There is something sweet on the nose but I mostly pick up that blue cheese funk, not overpowering but prominent, some leather hiding in there. Taste is really similar rich, sweet, funky, the ashy char comes in late and finishes a little plasticy. Very interesting, in no way similar to the lesser priced tobalas I’ve had. At the price it will be a while to bring another home. Lot looks like tob-181, 2018 copyright

Near the end of the bottle. Tried at Mayahuel. Light, mild flavor. Remarkably sweet, with an almost honey-like earthiness, maybe peach. Mild tanginess. Really tasty, easy drinking. Working on it a little more, the clay taste is more distinct, with a vaguely rubbery taste, but not in a gross way. Maybe more like the flavor of gum after the real flavor is chewed out.

Lot TOB-131, presumably distilled in 2013. Smells like pine. Flavour-wise it’s very balanced but, for my taste, it’s too soft and dull. There is a bit of agave sweetness, some fruity/sour notes and a whiff of wood and smoke, but nothing really stands out. A good mezcal, but I had hoped for something more interesting.

Sweet, earthy. Rubber, fresh baked dough, sweet and savory vinegar. Light earth, not too chemical forward. Bit of agave stank/funk. The complexity is astounding.

This is my favorite Mezcal to date. Wonderfully ripe and smooth. Tropical fruits and spice on the nose with decadent mango and grilled pineapple on the palate. Wet earth/clay on a lingering finish. I love this. Can’t wait to try the El Jolgorio Tobala and compare the two.

Nose: Red Berries, Mango, Earthy and minerals, vanilla, Brine, baking spice.

Palate: Medium mouthfeel, red berries, earth, minerals, mangos, slight smoke, baking spice.

Finish: Medium length, smoke, earth, berries, brine, vanilla.

This is a tasty, fruity, powerful mezcal, the nose on this is the best part, but the flavor and finish hold it up as well. This is one of the tastiest 90 proof spirits I have ever had.

I didn’t find to much flavor in this Tobala. It was good, but it had just a little bit of the Floral flavors that were hitting and a pretty earthy smokiness to it. Gave it 3 Stars due to the high price attached to it. Tobala is one of my favorite agaves so I hold a pretty high standard for any Tobala.

Delightful charred peached notes. Key lime pie. Have had a few batches and usually find it very enjoyable. This was batch 14-1 at Terlingua in Portland, Maine.

The tropical tastes aplenty with this tobala – pineapple, mango and even a hint of burnt papaya at first taste. Fresh green scent and a slightly green taste behind the fruits. Feels good in the mouth with a little burn (45%) but then it sits nicely on the tongue before the reward of the back palette – a rich liqueur sensation followed by an agave stickiness and maybe a touch of mint that has you looking for more. TOB- 161.

Lot: TOB-161

Dried pineapple and mango on the nose. On the palate, light smoked poblano with a subtle mineral finish. Definitely a good sip.

Lot Tob-171. Sweet, woody, and herbal. Sawdust, banana, big league chew bubblegum, spearmint candy.

TOB-161
3.5 stars. But closer to 4 than 3. It’s good. Very smooth, easy drinker which is not surprising considering the fairly low ABV of 45%. Very disappointed that the strong fruity notes from previous reviews were basically nonexistent. Very smoky on the nose with no real heat to it. Like a camp fire the morning after. Strong minerality with a hint of citrus and a super clean finish. Definitely enjoyed it but wouldn’t pay a premium for it

One of my favorite mezcals. The standard to which I judge all other Tobala’s. Also, my favorite from DM

Had this last night with the Jolgorio Tobala, which was the superior, albeit more expensive, juice. Less full-bodied and a bit more metallic. By itself or with some Espadins, maybe it stands out more and is four star, but not against the Jolgorio. I have the the Del Maguey Chicicapa and Santo Domingo Albarradas Espadins, so I’ll have to try the Del Maguey Tobala against them to see if it really shines and justifies double their price.

Rich! Blue cheese funk on the nose that translates to the palate along with mango and some pretty strong cinnamon bite. Its really good but the only drawback is a sometimes bitter soapy finish that can take away from the other flavors. Solid Tobala overall.