Del Maguey VIDA Clásico

Actually first mezcal I ever tried and liked, so always gonna have a soft spot for it. Great for mixing, Vida is good enough to take a sip neat, but also not extremely special. So I don’t feel guilty/ as if I was wasting it when I’m in the mood for a cocktail.

Fruity smoke, harsher than usual burn. Good for what it is on every level! friend gifted a bottle and i’m a-ok with having it around

This was my entry to world of Mezcal. The smokey and complex aftertaste gave this full 5 stars like a rocket to the sky. When now later try another bottle it doesn’t realy leave the ground. Don’t know if thats because of manufacturing variations or me being more experienced? Still likeble and good entry to this spirit. Lot no: VID.197

Entry Mezcal, smokey and high acidity.

Pretty intense right out of the bottle. Big smoke, and some other flavors I couldn’t quite pin down. As a sipper I thought it was 3 stars, but after a few Tommy’s margaritas (just lime and agave syrup) I raise it to 4 stars.

Lot VID 215 2021/12/16
I sipped this neat a little bit and didn’t mind it, but mostly used it for cocktails. Not a lot of complexity, lots of smoke, short finish and alcohol burn at the end. I would probably buy again to keep around a bottle for cocktails, but there are probably other mezcals at the price point that could offer a little more flavor.

LOT No. VID-188
It is a really pleasant product to introduce a smoky type of mezcal to newbies or for a nice cocktail creations. A good mezcal to start the journey.

NOSE: typical aromas, bonfire smokiness, fresh, citrus, typical agave, some green notes
PALATE: smoky, fruity, slightly spicy
MOUTHFEEL: silky with a mild citrus-like astringency
FINISH: medium length with fruity and smoky notes

I found it to be really lacking in complexity. There’s an overly smokey taste on the palate. This may be better suited for cocktails. IMO there are far better options around this price range

Tasted like a latex glove and was absolutely disgusting. Poured the bottle down the drain. Don’t drink this.

Lacks character, Not for sipping. I do not mind this mezcal in cocktails. I’ll drink it if there’s nothing else.

a solid classic. this is not the best or most interesting mezcal, but it is one of the OGs. while it lacks complexity, it’s also largely unoffensive. not the best sipper but good in a cocktail.

Thought I’d left this review sooner but…
It was one of my first introductions into mezcal but it’s overly sweet, unbalanced. Made for cocktails at best.
I like certain del magueys as a unique sipper. Not this unfortunately…

Lot No. VID-194A
Really enjoyed this. Smoky, sweet and a little medicinal. Haven’t tried mixing it only sip.

VID-194 4/7/21
Light taste of smoke and minerality, short finish. Great for cocktails base and price. Nice intro to Mezcal

One of my first bottles, great for the price point and great entry to Mezcal. Very approachable and easy to sip and good for cocktails

¡I like it (but for reasons that make me sound like a psychopath)! Band aids and blood on the nose. Tastes like it was stored in a dryer. Besides the linty laundry taste there is some strong, ephemeral pharmaceutical thing going on. Any smoky taste has been fully fumigated by Febreze. It would be a 3.5 stars if I could do that. Still very worth it for the price point and don’t understand all the hate.

A bit harsh upfront with smoke and pepper. A little of citrus to back it up after. Not ideal lingering aftertaste. Ok entry to mezcal especially at $30. Can sip, but probably better for cocktails.

Good spicy fun. Smoke, wet clay, and overripe lime make this a winner for cocktails or shots. Perhaps lacking depth as a sipper.
Given the price, this is the standard in bars for a reason.

I think the flavor in here that I don’t like is called “petroleum funk” — reminiscent of rubber, hair product, and shoe polish. I can barely taste the smoke over that burnt rubber-y flavor–and if I can taste any smoke, it’s not part of the problem. To me, even a small amount of this brand of mezcal ruins drinks.

Nose is sweet, diesely. Really dry taste, little sweet, pretty Smokey rubber mellows quite a bit through the bottle. I really don’t sip this one, the only one I mix. Buy it often for cocktails, fresh citrus, honey syrup and chopped Serrano, this thing really shines.

LOT NO. VID-201
Nose: Fuel-rich smoke. Pine. Citrus sweetness carried by felt pen vapor.

Palate: Heavy smoke. Mouth feel is decent with a hint of sweetness in the midst. Aftertaste is metallic and not the good burn.

There are much, much better options at this price point.

Lot # VID-201
I’ll be the first to confess that I’m new to mezcal, but I know its sister tequila pretty well. I signed up just so I can warn people how awful this bottle is.
Reeks of Band-aids, tastes like a burnt Band-aid. I struggle to think of a worse tasting base spirit. Even 1/4 oz. will infuse your cocktail with this awful taste.
If you know of a decent mezcal to mix drinks with, please message me, because this is definitely not good in any way.

This mezcal may get a bad rap simply because it is the most widely available mezcal, but it put mezcal on the back bar. For the price, this is a solid product and great in cocktails. Maybe not for sipping, but has the backbone to come through in citrus cocktails.

The hate has gone a bit too far on the most commonly found mezcal in the world. For cocktails it carries its weight perfectly but I would never suggest sipping it neat. Mineral, menthol, and smoke dominate here and for the right cocktail it works perfectly. The cost is reasonable and although there are far superior budget options this one is so easily accessible it gets extra points. Not what Ron Cooper had in mind when he brought mezcal to the US but its still a standard….

not a fan. would like to try some of the others but the price point is a bone of contention. I go to MX a lot but elect to buy other mezcals to bring home

According to my star rating system, 1 star = couldn’t finish the bottle, and I poured mine out. It’s available seemingly everywhere and many cocktails recipes call for it specifically, but don’t let that popularity fool you. It’s far too metallic and sour for my taste, without any other redeeming qualities.

Only a matter of time before I got to this one. Overall pretty light, slightly smokey, and not a whole lot of complexities to speak of. Light ethanol. Not bad for a sipper, but a lot better for a good mix drink. The smell (slightly fruity) seems to be better than the actual taste. This one has done a lot for Del Maguey, but has to be the weakest link in their reputable chain of mezcals.

This has been my go to Mezcal. It is very available in Ohio. I enjoy sipping it. It has been part of my steps into the world of Mezcal

This was my first mezcal. Ordered a shot in NYC. I do enjoy Islay Scotch, so this was welcoming. I don’t know much else about it. But I liked it enough. 3/5

This is the go-to introductory bottle for many mezcal first timers (was for me as well), particularly because it works so well in cocktails. Great in cocktails, meh as a neat sipper.

This espadin is a great bottle for anyone who is trying to get into the beautiful world of mezcal. It’s great for cocktails and I enjoy sipping on it while cooking. Super approachable! Huele a miel and mamey ice cream. Tastes like copal smoke, té de canela, and bitter citrus oil when you first open an orange or mandarin. Leaves a smooth mouthfeel like you slowly and seductively licked a vanilla blossom. Yeah, I know. Sexy in a Negroni (sub the gin).

I am new to mezcal reviews, so my language will not be technical. Vida overshoots smokey and jumps straight into medicinal. It tastes like the Campho-Phenique my grandma would put on a scrape when I was a kid. When it is mixed in a cocktail, by the time enough is added to actually taste the mezcal, the drink is overrun with the medicinal taste and leaves zero room for other flavors. Lot No. VID-196

Earthy, herbal and slightly artificial on the nose – like an air freshener or hand sanitizer whose scent you just can’t quite nail down. Maybe a touch of new car upholstery in there. But upon tasting there’s some unidentified sweet fruits, vanilla, fresh bell pepper, and some peppery smoke in there. As for the rest of the not-so-flattering reviews here – clearly familiarity breeds contempt. This is downright pleasant, even if it isn’t outstanding.

Best for mixing in cocktails, great mixed with orange cognac. Not great for sipping, Lacks depth.

Lovely smoke and clay on the nose. Hot and bitter but some richness on the palate that gives way to a nice lingering richness. Not best sipper but not bad for the price.

Batch: VID-195

This mezcal fits perfectly into cocktails, but it is also easily the most bang for your buck as a sipper at around $38 a bottle; I think it holds its weight against any bottle under $50. Very nice smoke with a clean finish. Have one on hand for friends that are new to mezcal.

Basic flavour with a lot of smoke. Pretty widely available and the go to for a cocktail mixer with some extra smoke. Wouldn’t sip on it’s own though.

Okay for mixing, but no depth or complexity you would expect from Mezcal.

Can’t add much to what’s already been said. Nice way to add some smoke to a cocktail. Neat it’s pretty one dimensional but still enjoyable.

Okay, easily available. Nice mixed with seltzer

Vida is my go to Tuesday mez. An economical choice you can find at many bars. Add a cut of orange or grapefruit rind to add citrus.

Nice middle of the road mezcal. We’ve sipped it but it’s probably better with as a drink. It’s your everyday table red of the mezcal world. Smooth, but not overly complex.

Mezcal for new drinkers, has become a bit mainstream. Smoky in nose and taste, strong finish but vanishes fast. Works definitely better as a mixer than as a sipper.

Not too complex. Smoke, medicinal and slightly fruity. Introductory mezcal or mixer.

High roast on the nose, I hardly use the term but it is smokey. Also pick up light notes of citrus and honey. There’s some banana and cooked agave before finishing with pepper. Obviously intended as a mixer and that’s where it should live.

This mezcal hit me like a brick to the face. Introduction in a speak easy in a liquor forward selection. I remember smoke, fire, happiness. Almost overpowering smokiness, and a bit of tropical fruitiness. It’s affordable, it mixes well. I will forever be grateful to it for launching my mezcal obsession. May not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for the price is an excellent entry choice. Definitely a mixer, not really complex enough to stand alone.

Smokey and fruity. Has a bit of a grungy bite from deep smoke notes along with a touch of rubber and gasoline. I was actually able to enjoy sipping on this when I first started with mezcal, but my palate has since been spoiled.

Made for mixing and experimenting I believe it excels in it’s endeavor to introduce people to Mezcal. My first Mezcal cocktail included the Vida and it sparked an interest for me. Ron Cooper completed that journey when I read his book “Finding Mezcal”.

There is not a lot here and it is hard to be positive on this one.

Doesn’t work well for mixing or sipping. I am hesitant to try other Del Magueys after this one.

This is a well bottle for sure.

2 star sipper, 3 star mixer. Taste is mostly smokey and fits the mindset of what most new drinkers think mezcal is. Other than that, no wow factor. If you’re looking to make a cocktail, reach for Vida- it works great!

Smokiness in all aspects. Nose, mouth and length are all dedicated to it.
Which is fine, if that’s what you’re looking for. As a wine person to begin with, I’m always looking for different expressions depending on the terroir, you don’t get any of this in Vida.
It a decent mixing Mezcal, but I feel that lately the batches lack more and more in terms of pure sipping neat.

Easy to drink over ice, perfect for mixing with serrano, lime & simple for a mezRita.

The smokey flavor hits you before you even start drinking its so strong. It doesn’t bring much other flavors, but it works for mixing cocktails when you want to mix sime high smoke to an opposite flavor. Not a huge fan of this one from Del Maguey.

Nose: Very smokey muddy, and starchy, like eating a baked potato next to an autumn bonfire, Gherkins in brine, antiseptic cream and road tar.

Taste: Smoke, icing sugar, licorice, table salt, yellow pears.

Comments: Not the most complex, but a good starter mezcal, and very well priced. I like this stuff, this isn’t my first bottle of vida and it wont be my last.

Another Vida review is probably the last thing anyone needs, but here it is anyway. Not my first choice for sipping, as it’s somewhat brash and lacking in nuance and balance, or really anything very interesting. That said, it stands up surprisingly well in mixed drinks and brings the smoke. Gets along swimmingly with lime, grapefruit, and pineapple juices. As a sipper it’s barely a 2, but as a cocktail ingredient it’s a good 3+.

Basically an introductory mezcal, very common at your local backbar. The pricepoint is good for delving into the world of mezcals. As mentioned, goes well in cocktails if you like mezcal cocktails. Considering how much goes into the agave, I find mezcal cocktails to be kind of a waste? Just my opinion. I suppose if you have to mix something… mix an Espadin. Specifically, this Espadin.

People recommend this to start with. Don’t listen to them. It’s relatively cheap and probably fine in some cocktails. Possibly the quality has gone down as it’s popularity and demand have increased. Spend $5 more and you will find something almost twice as nice.

Smoky yet lacking any other qualities. Finish is almost immediate. It’s not unpleasant but also not memorable.