Del Maguey VIDA is one of the most commonly used mezcals for cocktails. It can be sipped neat, but it's typically a cocktail mixer.
About this mezcal
Del Maguey VIDA San Luis Del Rio is an artisanal, organic Mezcal. This Mezcal is sold at an entry-level price point and has broader availability. It launched in 2010, is highly mixable, and has gained much anticipated industry acceptance and high bartender demand. Hand crafted, it is twice distilled, very slowly in small wood-fired, copper stills to flavor specifications that underscore its versatility in cocktails.
This mezcal had a minor label change in 2023 as VIDA “Clásico” to differentiate it from VIDA Puebla.
Del Maguey Mezcal
Del Maguey (pronounced ma–gay), Single Village Mezcal was founded in 1995 by internationally renowned artist and Mezcal visionary, Ron Cooper. Ron introduced the world to previously unavailable 100% certified organic, artisanal Mezcal produced the original handcrafted way. Through deep cultural relationships with Zapotec Mexican Indian producers in the remote villages of Oaxaca, Mexico, Del Maguey harnesses ancient, original organic processes. Combining these methods with varying micro-climates and terroir gives each creation its own unique, rich, sweet and smoky character. Every product in their collection is made by individual family palenqueros (producers) in old-style villages. They are the first producer to credit each product after the village where our liquid is made. When you see their beautiful green bottles you know it’s Del Maguey. Most of Del Maguey’s mezcals are distilled to proof, so the ABV will vary slightly between batches.
In June of 2017, international spirits company, Pernod Ricard, purchased majority stake in the company. Del Maguey is now part of their portfolio that includes Jameson Whiskey, Absolute Vodka, and Havana Club Rum.
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Akduhig
2 reviewsOkay, easily available. Nice mixed with seltzer
Will
1 reviewVida 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.
chonchoparadise
4 reviewsNice 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.
alpg
2 reviewsMezcal 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.
Ambros
8 reviewsNot too complex. Smoke, medicinal and slightly fruity. Introductory mezcal or mixer.
Gregg T&T
100 reviewsHigh 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.
Lurch98
2 reviewsThis 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.
rsidrys
50 reviewsSmokey 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.
Thankin_Hank
11 reviewsMade 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”.
mark3914
1 reviewI am not a big Mezcal drinker and am much more into good tequilas. That said, I have tried some very decent mezcals that I have enjoyed. This is certainly not one of them. The smell alone was enough to turn your stomach. And the taste was something that was so terrible that it has seared itself into my memory. I thought that maybe I could salvage some of the cost that I paid for this swill by mixing it with Margarita mix but the horrific smell and taste were still too overpowering to even remotely imagine enjoying my drink. A definite throw-away that was so bad that it inspired me to join this site so that I could slam it. What a waste that no one should waste their hard earned money on.
I am not a big Mezcal drinker and am much more into good tequilas. That said, I have tried some very decent mezcals that I have enjoyed. This is certainly not one of them. The smell alone was enough to turn your stomach. And the taste was something that was so terrible that it has seared itself into my memory. I thought that maybe I could salvage some of the cost that I paid for this swill by mixing it with Margarita mix but the horrific smell and taste were still too overpowering to even remote
Yggy45
7 reviewsThe first mezcal bottle that I bought. For me, Vida is two things: smoke, and guava, on the nose and on the tongue. It was a nice intro to something with that agave alcohol taste, different than my Don Julio and intriguing, but ultimately my bottle has fallen to the wayside as I’ve explored better Mezcals. I still use this to mix margaritas with occasionally, it adds a nice smokey fruity twist to the drink.
Big downside though: Vida gives me hangovers. Good tequila doesn’t and most of the other mezcals I have don’t either.
The first mezcal bottle that I bought. For me, Vida is two things: smoke, and guava, on the nose and on the tongue. It was a nice intro to something with that agave alcohol taste, different than my Don Julio and intriguing, but ultimately my bottle has fallen to the wayside as I’ve explored better Mezcals. I still use this to mix margaritas with occasionally, it adds a nice smokey fruity twist to the drink.
Big downside though: Vida gives me hangovers. Good tequila doesn’t and
Dave
12 reviewsThere 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.
Cortez
12 reviews2 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!
berryt798
1 reviewThis is the first Mezcal that had what I was looking for in terms of smoke and complexity. Admittedly, I wanted a very smokey Mezcal to mix with, and after trying a few that were let downs in the smoke department, this did not disappoint. I could easily see how this wouldn’t please a palate on its own. I mix this with equal parts smokey-sweet bourbon & amaro, orange bitters, black walnut bitters, a jalapeno bitter, and occasionally a chocolate bitters as well. It smells like an ash tray and tastes like nothing you’ve ever had <3 <3 if you use it, please name it Bitter Middle Aged White Lady and attribute.
This is the first Mezcal that had what I was looking for in terms of smoke and complexity. Admittedly, I wanted a very smokey Mezcal to mix with, and after trying a few that were let downs in the smoke department, this did not disappoint. I could easily see how this wouldn’t please a palate on its own. I mix this with equal parts smokey-sweet bourbon & amaro, orange bitters, black walnut bitters, a jalapeno bitter, and occasionally a chocolate bitters as well. It smells like an ash tra
Nick
25 reviewsI find myself agreeing with the mixer sentiments of other reviewers, but as my daughter bought it for me… another half star. Del Maguey mezcals probably the earliest available in general liquor retailers in Australia so it’s an easy buy. Vida is a touch harsher than some of the others – making it interesting as a sipper, ice helps develop the flavour some. If it’s on the shelf and you need mezcal, buy it, then grab something else next time and keep this a backup or mixer.
I find myself agreeing with the mixer sentiments of other reviewers, but as my daughter bought it for me… another half star. Del Maguey mezcals probably the earliest available in general liquor retailers in Australia so it’s an easy buy. Vida is a touch harsher than some of the others – making it interesting as a sipper, ice helps develop the flavour some. If it’s on the shelf and you need mezcal, buy it, then grab something else next time and keep this a backup or mixer.
Ben_MezcalBrothersFR
8 reviewsSmokiness 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.
MezcalOneRock
3 reviewsEasy to drink over ice, perfect for mixing with serrano, lime & simple for a mezRita.
NickSanford
23 reviewsThe 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.
Mymic87
13 reviewsNose: 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.
Hörky Båmf
20 reviewsAnother 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+.