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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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
45 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
26 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
509 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
tallchad
80 reviewsSolid mezcal with medium smoke. From aroma to taste to finish–just good. Great all-around mezcal.
Wild Common
10 reviewsWow. BANG right off the bat on the palate, full-bodied maguey goodness. Warm clean mid-palate with a long mellow finish. Hints of lactic on nose. This one is special Lote D5030-E __90
t8ke
144 reviewsRich and earthy. Lots of clay, pepper, minerality. Woody, lots of ash and smoked meats.
Nice stuff, but a little rough. The abundance of ash on the finish kind of detracts from the nose and palate for me. That said, I’d happily drink more of this.
El-Dawg
177 reviewsIn a blind taste test of 5 different R.C. mezcals, I had no idea this was the espadin (an agave I was sure I could figure out). Complex, and actually quite unlike anything I’ve tasted. Ton of ‘movie butter’ on the nose. I got a bit of oaky/woodiness as well on the front taste, and the smoke at the end is welcomed. However this uniqueness wasn’t a great thing for for me. Still came in towards the bottom of my R.C. blind taste (ahead of the Mexicano), but on 2nd tasting I still find this to be a solid espadin at 3.5 stars. I would say if I want to sip a daily espadin and not break the bank, it would be hard to go wrong here. If I had a bit more money to spend however, I’d go for something else.
Lote: D5030-E.
In a blind taste test of 5 different R.C. mezcals, I had no idea this was the espadin (an agave I was sure I could figure out). Complex, and actually quite unlike anything I’ve tasted. Ton of ‘movie butter’ on the nose. I got a bit of oaky/woodiness as well on the front taste, and the smoke at the end is welcomed. However this uniqueness wasn’t a great thing for for me. Still came in towards the bottom of my R.C. blind taste (ahead of the Mexicano), but on 2nd tastin
JDB
101 reviewsRómulo Sánchez Parada, July 2019, Lot DSO28-E, a sweet nose that turns into a strong charred smell, a lot of herbal notes, bits of pepper and spice, a touch of earth. A good mezcal for the price.
Nic Hnastchenko
108 reviewsNice bite, and a little hot.
Eric_M
7 reviewsThis is one of the better espadins I’ve tried and a it’s a great mezcal for the price. Full of flavor but not much alcohol bite. It has some peppery and citrus flavors with a little bit of sweetness. I’ll definitely buy this one again.
Gregg T&T
100 reviewsLot DS012-E Nov 2016. Bright floral and citrus nose. Big agave and warm pepper mouthfeels. Easy heat despite the 49.4% with a complex finish that lingers on the tongue.
Rorschach
40 reviewsMy best espadin so far. Interesting because I have 3 open bottles and I can blind taste all three-
DS019-D 200ml
DS022-E
DS024-E
The lot is hand written so not 100% on the spelling.
The DS019 is by far the best, then the DS022, and the DS024 is more like firewater.
This was a good lesson on lot numbers and a new awareness of buying the same thing you sample.
My now go to on lot DS039-E, produced May 2021.
DS037-E nice as the last lot 02252022
My best espadin so far. Interesting because I have 3 open bottles and I can blind taste all three-
DS019-D 200ml
DS022-E
DS024-E
The lot is hand written so not 100% on the spelling.
The DS019 is by far the best, then the DS022, and the DS024 is more like firewater.
This was a good lesson on lot numbers and a new awareness of buying the same thing you sample.
My now go to on lot DS039-E, produced May 2021.
DS037-E nice as the last lot 02252022
rsidrys
50 reviewsA quintessential Espadin. Green and cooked agave, a good play between sweetness, smoke, minerals, earth, citrus, mint. Reminded me of a really good tequila. I docked it half a star because of alcohol that trailed all these notes – even after letting it sit for a while.
TheAgaveFairy
168 reviewsTempted to go the 4.5*.
This is a benchmark espadin for me. Great typicity and balance of smoke, minerality, agave, and flavors. At 49% it’s surprsingly gentle (and gets similarly somehow lost in cocktails). Reminding me of a highlands tequila, there’s just great agave flavor with accents of citrus and pepper. Good complexity, good finish, touches of flowers on the backend. A great “daily drinker”.
Rakhal
392 reviewsLot DS01S-E. May 2017. 53.9%. Ramiro Sánchez Altamirano. This was a special batch of Espadin made by the normal Mezcaleros father or grandfather, I forget the exact story. They have a bottle at Cultura Mezcaleria in Carmel California. This is something special. Rich, creamy, and smooth. Not at all hot, despite the high abv. Chocolate, cedar, sandalwood, and hazelnut. This is one of the best Espadins I’ve ever had.
COak
208 reviewsD5015-E, May 2015, 53.9%, Ramiro Sanchez, Romulo’s father. This was a special release to Alamo Liquors in San Antonio. Very flavorful espadin. When I first opened it, it was a bit hot but has since simmered down really nicely. I prefer this to Romulo’s version.
DEEF
5 reviewsA very good Espadin. Super banana nose! Very sweet banana smelling. Balanced graduation of flavors with light dryness and slightly sweet finish. Some smoke and acidity. Very well made for a large yielding agave. I preferred this over the Mexicano and Madre Cuishe.
Jonny
633 reviewsLot DS010-E from December 2015. This is a little hot up front and a little hot on the finish, but it’s strong in flavor and aroma as well. Notes of leather, licorice, and minerals. It’s dry and finite on the finish with a bit of metallic and citric notes. This is a solid mezcal at a solid price.
Chris
40 reviewsLot D6012-E November 2016. Fruity green fresh nose. Sweet pungent agave in the mouth, not overly hot. Flavorful and drinkable. I bought this bottle on the same day as the Siembra Metl Cupreata, which I gave three stars, for basically the same price. About half of the Rey Campero Espadin remains, whereas I’m still in the curve at the top of the the Siembra Metl bottle. I plan to do a fuller espadin comparison and plan to do some comparisons with the other Rey Campero mezcals. I have very positive thoughts about their Jabali and the rarer Romulo Sanchez Parada Coyote that is put out under a Secretos de Yegole label is truly outstanding.
Lot D6012-E November 2016. Fruity green fresh nose. Sweet pungent agave in the mouth, not overly hot. Flavorful and drinkable. I bought this bottle on the same day as the Siembra Metl Cupreata, which I gave three stars, for basically the same price. About half of the Rey Campero Espadin remains, whereas I’m still in the curve at the top of the the Siembra Metl bottle. I plan to do a fuller espadin comparison and plan to do some comparisons with the other Rey Campero mezcals. I have very po
razorbackmike
137 reviewsfirst time to try this brand.it was good/ok.the initi8al taste is strong agave and pepper.the finish is semi bitter with some mineral.not one of the better espadins.might have given a higher rating if the price was around 40.00 but it was closer to 60.00.slight let down but is very drinkable.
Tyler
604 reviewsA robust, full-flavored espadin. Not surprised at all that this is wild agave and aged-in-glass as the agave taste is in full force. On the nose there is leather and earth. Very vegetal flavors, notes of sweet minerals, metallic, and citrus. Lot D5006-E from March 2014