Rey Campero Jabali is a high risk, high reward Mezcal. Some credit Maestro Romulo as the first in Oaxaca to truly harness the maguey Jabali.
About this mezcal
Rey Campero Jabali is made with maguey Jabali. The flavor of this mezcal has lots of tropical fruit and citrus. It is earthy with a hint of pepper. Its richly textured and the smoke frames the wild flavors of this special agave. Part of what makes the Jabali so seldom used in Mezcal is its history of expanding and foaming during the fermentation and distillation process, which makes this a very high risk, high reward Mezcal.
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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El-Dawg
213 reviewsThere is some good heat in here at a 49.2% ABV. It’s mixed well though with herbaceous notes and the right amount of smoke. This harmony of a ‘smack and a kiss’ creates a very balanced body and finish. First intro to Jabali, so definitely open to trying more of these rarely used agaves. Lote: DS009A-J.
CasaDeGuero
21 reviewsVery strong and vibrant sweetness and floral smell that bleeds a bit into an expo marker-ish smell. Very unique and EXTREMELY strong and wild flavors on the palate. Maybe even biscuits/yeasty, a bit funky. Overall is very smooth for 48.9%. This is the Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride of Mezcal. Definitely would drink again. Very good.
Batch: DSOOXB-J Nov. 2017
Mansson
71 reviewsLot DS002-J, distilled May 2013. There is a lot going on in this one: green bell peppers, mint, leather, vanilla, liquorice and more. Strong vegetal notes. Very complex and bold. It has a bit of a burn, but a pleasant, warming one. Close to five stars.
justsomedude
28 reviewsTropical fruit, cooked agave and nail polish on the nose. I often get a ‘nail polish’ note from A. Convallis but it is particularly strong with the Campero. That note is much more subdued on the palate which is dominated by tropical fruit, citrus and cooked pinapple, backed by strong vegetable notes. Mouthfeel is very viscous and heavy. Finish is more vegetal than fruit but fruit notes remain. Overall a heady and complex spirit but brash. 85/100
darrenaustin
13 reviewsAromas of model airplane glue – like the stuff Jeff Spicoli from Fast Times would have rolling around in his van. Slightly bitter flavor; less pleasing than the smell. Add a drop of water and INSTANTLY it smells like fresh baked bread and bitterness mostly gone. Very interesting expression!!
Cortez
12 reviewsThis one basically started my love for jabali, and is still one of my go-to favorites. Slight oily texture, vanilla on the nose. Big burst of ripe tropical fruit and citrus. Love the floral qualities that follow- cherry blossom, jasmine, maybe even some oolong tea bitterness. Ends with a little kick of white pepper.
Rorschach
43 reviewsTastes like Jabali, I love this maguey. Just a rougher bite. There are some flavors that are not on the delicious side like other Jabali I’ve had at a better price.
Lot D5008BJ -can’t make out the handwriting, very cool
Bottle 907/1099
Production date Nov 2017
hungarianhurricane
6 reviewsLot 85008A-J. Rey Campero Jabali. Acetone, Asian pear, and sweet perfume dominate this heavy hitting Jabali. I’d drink this all the time if I could afford it. Definitely not an evening-starter or a mezcal for first time drinkers, but if you work your way up to this…you’re in for a treat.
Rakhal
421 reviewsD5008B-J. Strong nail polish smell. Flavor more sweet and floral. Jasmine, orange blossom, bubble gum. Nowhere near as good as El Jolgorio or Del Maguey’s Jabali.
jgerdes
7 reviewsNotes of bubble gum ,taffy, marshmallows, juicy fruit, Cherry Cola. A coupe of fruit notes I can’t quite put my finger on.
My only complaint is it is very light on the smoke (I prefer more).
4.5 Stars.
COak
229 reviewsThis is the best bottle RC makes. It has that wow factor. Reminds me of “special” cookies. One of the best Jabali bottles out, worth a taste.
Mezcalito
6 reviewsRey Campero is a terrific brand, but their Jabali is the best there is! It’s complex and deep with notes of pepper and mandarins on the front of the mouth and a floral, leathery after taste! Do try!
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsMay be the best ive had from RC. Worth the price tag/hunting down. Delicate, soft, with wisps of smoke and a few floral notes. Could drink a bottle of this in a few hours
thamthong
47 reviewslot D5008A-J, Oct ’17, bottle 722/1418. one of my favorites. smells of compost, caramel, permanent marker. add overripe tropical fruit and buzzy pepperiness to the party on the palate, with a round, deep, almost perfumed sweet undertone (reminiscent of poutpourri) that carries it all out and lingers into the finish. so interesting that it’s actively fun to imbibe, but goddamn delicious first.
DEEF
5 reviewsSoft nose. Sweet throughout. Light acidity. Dynamic flavors.
I forgot to bring home my tasting notes, but this was tied for first with The Kings of The Mountain’s Tepextate. Out of the full line up, my wife tolerated this one the best. Very smooth and sweet stand out. Romulo & Vicente are dialed in.
Chris
40 reviewsD5007-3 Aug 2016 1196 / 1256 49.2% ABV by Sanchez Parada. Why I haven’t reviewed this before escapes me. Big fan of Rey Campero in general. Consistently well made. It isn’t all about the agave species and its relative rarity, it’s about the people who make it. There are some bottles you open and then make sure to buy (at least) another one the next day before it disappears. This is one of those. No smoke here, but incredibly balanced flavors, great nose, great finish. Really close to clicking on the fifth star here.
D5007-3 Aug 2016 1196 / 1256 49.2% ABV by Sanchez Parada. Why I haven’t reviewed this before escapes me. Big fan of Rey Campero in general. Consistently well made. It isn’t all about the agave species and its relative rarity, it’s about the people who make it. There are some bottles you open and then make sure to buy (at least) another one the next day before it disappears. This is one of those. No smoke here, but incredibly balanced flavors, great nose, great finish. Really
razorbackmike
157 reviewsthis mezcal is rude and abrupt and i loved it!its a paradox and makes no apology.its like being slapped by a beautiful woman before she makes love to you (LOL)!the taste is strong and up front.very spicy with chilies and strong vegetal notes.this carries through mid way and finishes with agave sweetness.i agree with tyler.dont start the night with this one.it can wreck your sense of taste.very good!
Tyler
643 reviewsMezcal from agave jabali is an immensely enjoyable type of mezcal; I’ve only tried this and the El Jolgorio Jabali. It’s flavor is very bold and it should not be the first drink of the night. There are delicious notes of jalapeno, tanned leather, vanilla, peat, and ash. It’s almost like an agave Americana meets a Karwinskii. Definitely give this a try if you see it.
Jonny
708 reviewsLot DS005-J from September 2015. This mezcal is hyper-dynamic and one of the most complex spirits I’ve ever tried. There is a lot on the nose, with notes of freshly ground black pepper, sliced green pepper, papaya, lime, and sweet potato. The taste has a slight bite up front that gives way to more notes of fresh pepper, plantains, pineapple, lilac blossoms, and muddled mint leaves. The mouthfeel is very clean and less oily than some other Rey Campero mezcals I’ve tried. This hits every receptor in the mouth and yet remains incredibly balanced.
Lot DS005-J from September 2015. This mezcal is hyper-dynamic and one of the most complex spirits I’ve ever tried. There is a lot on the nose, with notes of freshly ground black pepper, sliced green pepper, papaya, lime, and sweet potato. The taste has a slight bite up front that gives way to more notes of fresh pepper, plantains, pineapple, lilac blossoms, and muddled mint leaves. The mouthfeel is very clean and less oily than some other Rey Campero mezcals I’ve tried. This hits eve
marco
14 reviewsInitial subtle, soft aromas of pear and a hint of fresh spicy mint leaf. There is an obvious lack of smokiness, but rather the sweet aroma of a well-worn leather jacket. With time, the aroma shifts to the pungency of geranium leaf and Chinese 5 Spice. Lovely floral notes persist as mineral shrouded spices emerge. I am reminded of an invigorating hot cup of atole in a chilly mountain top town in Chiapas, many years ago. There is a rich, comforting viscosity, fat and oily, but not revealing its 96.6 proof for an instant. The influence of terroir is apparent, dirt driven and deeply organic. Dried chile pods and rusty baked clay. The aroma of the back streets of Oaxaca. A spiraling mouth carnival where blinking dark shadows of over ripe guava and the decomposing corpse of banana skin swirl the tongue like a dirty turnip Tilt-o-Whirl on a Mexican midway. I’m going on this ride again. Right now.
Initial subtle, soft aromas of pear and a hint of fresh spicy mint leaf. There is an obvious lack of smokiness, but rather the sweet aroma of a well-worn leather jacket. With time, the aroma shifts to the pungency of geranium leaf and Chinese 5 Spice. Lovely floral notes persist as mineral shrouded spices emerge. I am reminded of an invigorating hot cup of atole in a chilly mountain top town in Chiapas, many years ago. There is a rich, comforting viscosity, fat and oily, but not revealing its 96