Rey Campero Espadin is a good option for both sipping neat or for using in cocktails that need a robust and strong profile.
About this mezcal
Rey Campero Espadin uses agave Espadin that is fermented in open air with wild yeasts. In true Rey Campero fashion, only the highest quality agave are used in production. Many batches of Rey Campero Espadin are also aged in glass before bottling, which gives them a much softer feel. Make sure to check the release and bottling information on each bottle as different batches have different flavor notes. Regardless of which release you’re tasting, many consider this to be one of the better Espadin Mezcals on the market.
Rey Campero Mezcal
Rey Campero represents the culture, tradition and art of Candelaria Yegolé, a small town in the Southern Highlands of Oaxaca, with a fertile ground on its slopes and canyons. It represents a people dedicated to the production of artisanal Mezcal, so one of its principles is to help producers of maguey, by creating job opportunities, but especially in finding markets for the best Mezcal. Rey Campero, means “King of the Countryside” and it was founded by the maestro mezcalero Romulo Sanchez Parada. Romulo learned how to make mezcal from his father, and he worked in the palenque until age 20. He lived and worked for several years in North Carolina while in his 20s before returning to Oaxaca in 2003. Each lot may vary slightly, so check your bottle for specific details about ABV.
Review this bottle
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Goldyieglockz
3 reviewsNose:Slightly Cheesy. Greek Yogurt. Lactic. Slight Ethanol.
Taste: Sweet Vanilla. Agave. Banana. Bright. Sufficiently oily mouth feel. Lingering after burn in the mouth and a slight numbness. Light Minerality. Accent of Smoke.
Synopsis: I’ve just recently gotten into mezcal. Maybe 4-5 months. In that time I’d say I have tried 6-7 different Espadins. This is a league above all of them with only Real Minero’s Espadin somewhere up there with it. At the price point it’s seriously hard to beat. A whole lot of complexity and an easy sipper. Has that lovely funky cheese smell I get in some Espadins and a lovely fruit/agave forward palate wrapped in just enough smoke. If someone told me they just got into Mezcal or have been wanting to try it, this would be among the bottles I would consider.
¡Salud!
Nose:Slightly Cheesy. Greek Yogurt. Lactic. Slight Ethanol.
Taste: Sweet Vanilla. Agave. Banana. Bright. Sufficiently oily mouth feel. Lingering after burn in the mouth and a slight numbness. Light Minerality. Accent of Smoke.
Synopsis: I’ve just recently gotten into mezcal. Maybe 4-5 months. In that time I’d say I have tried 6-7 different Espadins. This is a league above all of them with only Real Minero’s Espadin somewhere up there with it. At the price point it’s seriously hard to bea
GMAD
74 reviewsD5061-E, 48.6%, 200ml
Nose – Sweet and nutty; coconut, glue, dry-erase marker.
Palate – Tangy, citrusy and bright; Cuties (mandarins), ginger, sweet and sour sauce.
Finish – Tanginess continues and fades away; peaches with green bell peppers.
Really great Espadin. It’s very accessible and serves as a great intro to high-end Mezcales as well as being a perfect daily sipper.
Jam
149 reviewsLote DS063-E, 48% abv, august 2022 production date, glass rested 3 months
Review #62: Sweet lemon, cream, saltwater taffy, light florals, and vanilla on nose, palate has more citrus oils, vanilla, bouquet of flowers, sweetened condensed milk, buttered asparagus, and then a touch of sweet grass and smoke on the finish
This is a really well done espadin. Lots of delicate notes but also dialed up. It has a very pretty sweetness to it that is balanced with a touch of vegetals. The florals and light creaminess to it make this stand out from other espadins I’ve had. Definitely worth the price too as a solid bottle for anyone new or old to mezcal.
Lote DS063-E, 48% abv, august 2022 production date, glass rested 3 months
Review #62: Sweet lemon, cream, saltwater taffy, light florals, and vanilla on nose, palate has more citrus oils, vanilla, bouquet of flowers, sweetened condensed milk, buttered asparagus, and then a touch of sweet grass and smoke on the finish
This is a really well done espadin. Lots of delicate notes but also dialed up. It has a very pretty sweetness to it that is balanced with a touch of vegetals. The florals and light
Suicide Squid
10 reviewsIn PV at De Cantaro Mezcal Bar. Some nice sharp agave on the nose with a little heat. Nicely sweet, and sharp, agave upfront. Getting hotter through out and leaving with a pleasing hot agave finish that lingers.
MaryKitty
10 reviewsMildly smoky, warming. Vanilla, a bit harsh in the taste. Had at mezcal bar during a rain storm in PV.
Average José
54 reviewsBottle: 39/3969
Date: September 2022
Lot: D5069-E
Glass Rested: 3 Months
ABV: 48.4%
I’ve had multiple bottles of this Rey Es. and all of them have been good but not particularly noteworthy except for this one lot/bottle. Not sure if it’s because it’s such an early bottle from run or if it’s just this one particular run but it turned out spectacular.
Nose is sweeter than the normal Rey Es., very sweet with little-no alcohol vapors present. Crisp, fresh, barely smoked/cooked agave and hazelnut which I found to be really nice.
Flavors present are sweet gum, orange bell pepper and light agave syrup. Creamy and not harsh at all. White cherry and a hint of lactic notes really give it a (although too brief) premium vibe.
Finish is herbal, light smoke and a light bite that lingers for 2-3 seconds. Not at all offensive and for the price ($48) it can’t be beat as a daily. I will be looking for any more bottles of D5069 I can find to see if I got a “one off” or if all of this run turned out the same way. Will update this review if I find any more.
Bottle: 39/3969
Date: September 2022
Lot: D5069-E
Glass Rested: 3 Months
ABV: 48.4%
I’ve had multiple bottles of this Rey Es. and all of them have been good but not particularly noteworthy except for this one lot/bottle. Not sure if it’s because it’s such an early bottle from run or if it’s just this one particular run but it turned out spectacular.
Nose is sweeter than the normal Rey Es., very sweet with little-no alcohol vapors present. Crisp, fresh, barely smoked/cooked agave and haz
Forpowder
79 reviewsD5061-E 48.6% Aromas out of the bottle are very soft sweet light smoke almost no alcohol surprisingly. Flavors follow with spices of cinnamon cardamom well integrated alcohol into the smoke. This is a nice drinking espadine with lots of complexity mostly with Integrations of alcohol and smoke very little fruit on this one
Ringstone
6 reviewsI had a sample in 2022 from the online shop Weisshaus.
Unfortunately a bit too bitter on the finish.
Nose: grassy citrus freshness, agave, sweetness, some coal smoke, alcohol, herbs. Palate: Agave, spices, alcohol, herbs, charcoal smoke, somewhat bitter. Finish: herbs, bitterness (bitter almond, grapefruit), agave.
Jori
52 reviews3.75… i overrated because of availability…
Roasted Piña aromas on the nose like I’m back in Oaxacas palenques. Fuego! Charred pineapples.
Little alcohol, fruity, perfectly paired w/ Hawaian Pizza here in Canada.
Barbacoa, guava, mint. Cherry?
Probably the best Espadín I’ve had in Canada…
I’ll have to taste more Espadín next time I’m in Oaxaca to be sure!
Dom
29 reviewsD5032-E
Vegetal green minty taste on the palate with a thin mineral taste & slight jalapeño at the end.
MezcAleman
28 reviewsLot: D50190-E – Bottle: 613/1102
My second Rey Campero and I bought it because I really liked their Jabalí. Smells a little bit boozy with typical mezcal notes: smoke and earth notes.
Taste is a nice good Espadín. For the price it has potential to become my standard Espadín choice. Not to hot, gentle smoke, cooked agave and a little bit of minerals and citrus.
thomaselliott
14 reviewsLot DS033-E, May 2020, Bottle: 4239/6465
On the nose: Anise and dried desert vegetation and maybe a little bit of old leather.
In a tumbler glass served at 23C, I’m getting an interesting lightly oily viscosity that coats the mouth in a very pleasant way, while the 48% ABV is making that coating a little bit bitey on the tongue when you inhale.
Mineral start with light smoke and pepper leads to vegetal and souring flavors with a long tail of anise flavours.
I think it’s an excellent value and a very good example of Espadin.
Lot DS033-E, May 2020, Bottle: 4239/6465
On the nose: Anise and dried desert vegetation and maybe a little bit of old leather.
In a tumbler glass served at 23C, I’m getting an interesting lightly oily viscosity that coats the mouth in a very pleasant way, while the 48% ABV is making that coating a little bit bitey on the tongue when you inhale.
Mineral start with light smoke and pepper leads to vegetal and souring flavors with a long tail of anise flavours.
I think it’s an excelle
Nickwrobison
12 reviewsLot: D5028-E, July 2019
Just stellar. An incredible value at the $50-$60 range.
TzotollineRaramuri
75 reviewsLote D5030-E; 200ml.
?- clear
?- soft drying impact.
Aromas of VA/Acetone – faint rubber, rosemary, lime, peppercorn, sour pineapple, kiwi, fresh basil, fennel, licorice.
Adequate &simple to complex production.
Average length and ordinary character.
?- astringent and warming effect with some coating; generous smooth alcohol; medium body.
Primarily sour taste, with bitter & piquant highlights; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of lime, lime zest, pine, rosemary, quince, tamarind, peppercorn, ginger, and acetone and plastics.
Medium concentrated flavor intensity, slightly complex, correct balance.
Straightforward and very long finish.
Good overall impression.
*Although the ethyl acetate is not offensive, it detracts from the overall profile and character of the complexity. Not poorly made or out of balance, just a prominent sour profile, with a lot of air needed to pull out other aromatic compounds. My least favorite Rey Campero so far.
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.
Lote D5030-E; 200ml.
?- clear
?- soft drying impact.
Aromas of VA/Acetone – faint rubber, rosemary, lime, peppercorn, sour pineapple, kiwi, fresh basil, fennel, licorice.
Adequate &simple to complex production.
Average length and ordinary character.
?- astringent and warming effect with some coating; generous smooth alcohol; medium body.
Primarily sour taste, with bitter & piquant highlights; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of lime, lime zest, pine, rosemary, quince, tamarind, pepperco
TravelDiningDrinks
3 reviewsI was really impressed with Rey Compero Joven.Nice bite and smoke,yet smooth. Something good to start someone ‘a interest in mezcal. A little pricey but worth it
spasta
22 reviewsSolid but Lacking in complexity, even for an espadin.
TrogdordeFuegoanator
40 reviewsI received a small vessel with-out a label and was really pleasantly surprised to pour out and sip what was inside. Then I learned it was Rey Campero Espadin! I’ve had this mezcal a great many times and yet would never have figured it was the same. Turns out its this certain batch, “029-E” is quite special and I’ve since collected several bottles. Generally wouldn’t weight a price point into a rating but find this impossible to resist.
It first tasted like a very, very good potatorum…not to knock the nobile angustifolia. Winter warmer.
I received a small vessel with-out a label and was really pleasantly surprised to pour out and sip what was inside. Then I learned it was Rey Campero Espadin! I’ve had this mezcal a great many times and yet would never have figured it was the same. Turns out its this certain batch, “029-E” is quite special and I’ve since collected several bottles. Generally wouldn’t weight a price point into a rating but find this impossible to resist.
It first tasted like a very,
Zack Klamn
542 reviewsLote: DSO30-E
Nose: Smoke, citrus.
Palate: Smoky, grassy, banana sweet. Vapory and aggressive in the midsection. Peppery, solvent aftertaste.
Kind of a blah espadin for the price point.
Joe
27 reviewsWow! Almost creamy, sweet, smooth, and delicious. Maybe something like an almond flavor here. The flavors seem well balanced and even, nothing jumps out, no harshness, but quite rich. Among my favorites, especially at the price.
GreenspointTexas
385 reviews3.75/5
Balanced, some nuance. Cream cheese and peaches. Solid. A go-to of the price was lower