Each release of Vago Ensamble en Barro has drastic differences in the percentages of each type of agave that is used, making each release unique.
About this mezcal
Vago Ensamble de Barro is from Sola de Vega and has a soft bouquet of pine needles and fertile earth. Its full body has an essence of charred cinnamon and finishes with notes of pumpkin and chestnuts. Each release of this bottle has drastic differences in the percentages of each type of agave that is used. A Vago Ensamble de Barro from 2015 could be significantly different than one from 2016.
Learn more about this release at Mezcal Vago’s blog Mas Mezcal
Vago Mezcal
Mezcal Vago began when co-founder Judah Kuper visited a hospital in Oaxaca, Mexico. He fell in love with the nurse who treated him. Her father, Aquilino Garcia, was a sustenance farmer who also produced mezcal. Judah and Aquilino, along with Judah’s longtime friend Dylan Sloan, launched Mezcal Vago. In 2013, their first exported bottles arrived in Texas. Each of their mezcals is produced naturally in a traditional palenque with no additives. The brand aims to empower both the master craftsmen with a celebration of his art. Also the consumer by giving them the knowledge they need to find a great mezcal. The brand plants 3 agaves for each single agave they harvest. Their goal is to end the use wild agave by 2025 for most of their releases.
In 2017, Mezcal Vago began using different color labels for their different mezcaleros. Emigdio Jarquin (blue label) distills in copper with refrescador. Aquilino and Joel Barriga (tan and gold labels respectively) distill in copper. Tio Rey (red label) distills in clay pots. All their mezcaleros use different water sources and make different distillation cuts. In 2018, Mezcal Vago established an investment partnership with Samson and Surrey. With the new partnership, each Mezcal Vago mezcalero has a stake in Samson and Surrey.
In 2021, Mezcal Vago went through its first major brand redesign since their launch in 2013.
Learn more Mezcal Vago:
- The Mezcal Vago Tasting Room in Oaxaca on Mezcal Reviews
- A podcast interview with co-founder Judah Kuper on Show de Vie Podcast w/Mike G
- The Mezcal Vago blog Mas Mezcal
Review this bottle
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TrogdordeFuegoanator
40 reviewsLot S-01/08-ECBB-17, October 2017, 652 liters, 84% Espadin, 9% Coyote, 5% Blanco 2% Barril.
Normally a big fan of Tio Rey and his Ensambles but a bit let down here. Perhaps it’s another case of a bottle open for too long, but the ethanol glosses over the bouquet of things-once-nice. I don’t quite understand the idea of listing percentages so small, might as well leave the drinker to guess the remaining 16% with slices so thin. Any good descriptors have long burnt off here, only leaving sharp honeysuckle and melty crayon to savor.
Lot S-01/08-ECBB-17, October 2017, 652 liters, 84% Espadin, 9% Coyote, 5% Blanco 2% Barril.
Normally a big fan of Tio Rey and his Ensambles but a bit let down here. Perhaps it’s another case of a bottle open for too long, but the ethanol glosses over the bouquet of things-once-nice. I don’t quite understand the idea of listing percentages so small, might as well leave the drinker to guess the remaining 16% with slices so thin. Any good descriptors have long burnt off here, only leavi
t8ke
144 reviewsHoney, light confectioners sugar. Light brine. Some faint earth. That fun cashew note is back. Pepper.
Mansson
71 reviewsLot S-20-EMB-15, distilled March 2015. 53% Espadín/32% Barril/15% Mexicano. A lot of herbs and pine in the beginning, making it resemble an aquavit or a gin. Then other flavours come to the fore: marzipan, cinnamon, apples. And the round, earthy notes that I associate with the clay distillation. Quite hot, but not burning.
Gregg T&T
100 reviews80% Espadin, 20% Coyote distilled March 2019. Clay pot earthiness complimented by fresh rain, agave and citrus notes. Coyote meshes so well with the Espadin. Balanced and great finish, refined even at 48% with an enjoyable spiciness and heat through the finish.
GeorgePBurdell
49 reviewsLot S-16/05-EACM-18. 42% Espadin, 27% Arroqueno, 20% Coyote, 11% Mexicano. Earth and smoke on the nose, the palate adds cooked agave and spices which linger on the finish along with a pleasant alcoholic heat.
TheAuditor
39 reviewsMezcal Vago Ensamble en Barro
Tio Rey
December 2018 Distillation Date
This will be my first Mezcal review
ABV: 48.5%
Nose: A sweetness, similar to aloe vera without the chemicalness, campfire smoke like its been burning on a nice evening, savory, hints of fruits and maybe some meat flavor to it.
Palate: Campfire smoke, Aloe sweetness, with the fruity hint. Delicious with a good mouthfeel to it.
Finish: Medium length, Smokey, agave sweetness, with other flavors I will admit to having some issues identifying. But they are good.
This spirit style is so different from anything Ive tried thus far, and I look forward to exploring more of them. Of the few Mezcals Ive tried so far this one is savory, sweet with a good balance of the smokieness that goes along with. A great summer drink.
Mezcal Vago Ensamble en Barro
Tio Rey
December 2018 Distillation Date
This will be my first Mezcal review
ABV: 48.5%
Nose: A sweetness, similar to aloe vera without the chemicalness, campfire smoke like its been burning on a nice evening, savory, hints of fruits and maybe some meat flavor to it.
Palate: Campfire smoke, Aloe sweetness, with the fruity hint. Delicious with a good mouthfeel to it.
Finish: Medium length, Smokey, agave sweetness, with other flavors I will admit to having some issues
Nic Hnastchenko
108 reviewsTio Rey, 82% Espadin + 18% Mexicano from May 2019. Had this side by side next to another Vago Mexicano. I like the clay pot still but it definitely masks some of the agave.
Eric_M
7 reviewsI have had several of Tio’s ensambles and I enjoy all of them. The one I’m drinking at the moment is 42% Espadin, 27% Arroqueno, 20% Coyote, and 11% Mexicano. It definitely has that earthy clay taste to it but it’s not overpowering. It has some nice spice notes and a caramel finish that shines through. The price of these ensambles are extremely reasonable and always keep me coming back for more.
BartFargo
21 reviewsLot S-01/08-ECBB-17 (October 2017), 51.8%
84% Espadin, 9% Coyote, 5% Blanco, 2% Barril
Nose: Wet clay, potting soil, musty old books, tarry smoke, old tire swing. In other words, very earthy and dank, but as the glass sits there emerge a few brighter tones of Granny Smith apple, artichoke hearts, and wildflower.
Palate: Damp earth and rubbery smoke dominate again, but there’s also some sour apple, roasted Brussels sprouts, and mild soft cheese funk. Quite hot, with a medium body.
Finish: Cooked agave with green peppercorn, old rubber, graphite and a dusty astringency. Some roasted nuts late. Medium length.
A bit disappointed with this batch of the Ensamble, even several months after opening. The nose is dark and distinctive, but the overwhelming clay and rubber make for a muted development. Those who prefer their mezcal especially dank might love this one, but I’ll try again with a different lot.
Lot S-01/08-ECBB-17 (October 2017), 51.8%
84% Espadin, 9% Coyote, 5% Blanco, 2% Barril
Nose: Wet clay, potting soil, musty old books, tarry smoke, old tire swing. In other words, very earthy and dank, but as the glass sits there emerge a few brighter tones of Granny Smith apple, artichoke hearts, and wildflower.
Palate: Damp earth and rubbery smoke dominate again, but there’s also some sour apple, roasted Brussels sprouts, and mild soft cheese funk. Quite hot, with a medium body.
Finish: Coo
Rakhal
430 reviewsLot S-10-CEM-19 64% Coyote, 24% Espadin, 12% Mexicano. Pretty harsh. Wood varnish, pine resin, cedar, peppermint altoids, bitter cacao, black pepper, and pineapple. I don’t recommend this batch.
Lot S-06-EM-18. 55% Espadin+45% Mexicano. Ocean salt, kombu, and caraway seed. Smells like mediocre tequila. Short finish. 2 stars
Didn’t get the Lot number. 55% Espadin, 45% Mexicano. Ok this is weird, unless he made 2 identical batches something is going on. Anyways I love this batch! Frothy hot dark chocolate amargo!! Vanilla, sawdust after a rain. Delicious! 4.5 stars
Lot S-01/08-ECBB-17. 84% Espadin, 9% Coyote, 5% Blanco, 2% Barril. Another underwhelming batch. Interesting only because it’s very earthy and mineral forward. It’s creamy and a bit too hot with notes of graphite, crushed granite, and freshly turned soil. Some big anise notes on the finish. 3 stars
Lot S-17-MEAC-19. 47% Mexicano, 39% Espadin, 7% Arroqueño, 6% Coyote Verde.
Cinnamon, crushed bricks, vanilla, clove, allspice, brown sugar. My favorite Tio rey so far! 4.5 stars.
Lot S-10-CEM-19 64% Coyote, 24% Espadin, 12% Mexicano. Pretty harsh. Wood varnish, pine resin, cedar, peppermint altoids, bitter cacao, black pepper, and pineapple. I don’t recommend this batch.
Lot S-06-EM-18. 55% Espadin+45% Mexicano. Ocean salt, kombu, and caraway seed. Smells like mediocre tequila. Short finish. 2 stars
Didn’t get the Lot number. 55% Espadin, 45% Mexicano. Ok this is weird, unless he made 2 identical batches something is going on. Anyways I love this batch! Frothy hot d
Dave
12 reviewsLot s-16/05-EACM-18, 42% espadin, 27% arroqueno, 20% coyote, 11% mexicano, 50.5% abv.
I have learned there are many variations of ensambles, so I will now keep an eye out for proportions I haven’t tried. As with most mezcal they are small batch and usually offer something new between batches.
Nose – peppery. No depth.
Slightly bitter. Not too much alcohol bite like others have mentioned, but it almost feels as if its missing depth. I cant quite place the taste. It reminds me somewhat of a garage. Metallic, maybe oily? There is nothing wrong with this mezcal.
It had a great price point. It just doesn’t have the depth I have learned to love. I would buy this again to give it a fair shake on another proportion of maguey.
Lot s-16/05-EACM-18, 42% espadin, 27% arroqueno, 20% coyote, 11% mexicano, 50.5% abv.
I have learned there are many variations of ensambles, so I will now keep an eye out for proportions I haven’t tried. As with most mezcal they are small batch and usually offer something new between batches.
Nose – peppery. No depth.
Slightly bitter. Not too much alcohol bite like others have mentioned, but it almost feels as if its missing depth. I cant quite place the taste. It reminds me somewhat
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsArroqueno, Coyote, Texpetate. 51.5% abv
Whoah. Only knock is on the slight bite from the higher abv. Otherwise… stellar
Mymic87
13 reviewsThis Version was bottled at 50.5%
Nose: Smells like a peated sherry cask scotch, Peat and oak, raisins, plumbs, prunes, BBQ Pork belly excellent stuff!
Taste: Tastes like a peated sherry cask whisky! Sweet and earthy, dates, figs, toffee, chocolate.
Comments: never had a mezcal so… un mezcal like. Awesome stuff!
TheAgaveFairy
169 reviews66% Arroqueno 26% Coyote 8% Mexicano, 244L batch, LOT S-03-ACM-17
Earthen / clay meets dark agave, dark fruits, dark smoke. Appropriately integrated heat, could be lower but it’s not particularly offensive. A few drops of water excites the ash and berries, and a light burnt sage note, nice. Hits with a dense dark profile, clay spreads across the mouth with the fruit sweetness, peppers tingling on the edges and the few bright notes too. Finish is even and long with smoke lingering throughout the mouth. Water softens the event in a nice way, a more open and sweet entry whilst maintaining good richness. Will add review for another batch.
66% Arroqueno 26% Coyote 8% Mexicano, 244L batch, LOT S-03-ACM-17
Earthen / clay meets dark agave, dark fruits, dark smoke. Appropriately integrated heat, could be lower but it’s not particularly offensive. A few drops of water excites the ash and berries, and a light burnt sage note, nice. Hits with a dense dark profile, clay spreads across the mouth with the fruit sweetness, peppers tingling on the edges and the few bright notes too. Finish is even and long with smoke lingering throughout th
razorbackmike
161 reviewsthis review is for arroqueno-66%/coyote-26%/mexicano-8%.WOW.this is a wonderful treat.like all vago,this has some heat.the entry has incredible sweetness but is balanced with delicate jalapeno and green bell pepper.mid way has hints spring flowers and strong agave.the finish has heat and smoke that lingers a little.tio rey makes mezcals that are a treasure.fantastic!
Tyler
665 reviewsThere are numerous variations of Tio Rey’s Ensamble en Barro. For me, some are very clay-heavy.. with wet/earth flavors that overpower the agave notes. However, many editions are spectacular. One of my favorites is Lot S-20–EMB-15 which is 53% Espadin, 32% Barril, and 15% Mexicano, distilled in March 2015 at 52.6% ABV.
The clay notes are present but exist softly in the background. Upfront flavors are of mint, lavender, and guava with a finish of cinnamon and wood spice. Recent batches have a burgundy label which denotes it is produced by Tio Rey.
There are numerous variations of Tio Rey’s Ensamble en Barro. For me, some are very clay-heavy.. with wet/earth flavors that overpower the agave notes. However, many editions are spectacular. One of my favorites is Lot S-20–EMB-15 which is 53% Espadin, 32% Barril, and 15% Mexicano, distilled in March 2015 at 52.6% ABV.
The clay notes are present but exist softly in the background. Upfront flavors are of mint, lavender, and guava with a finish of cinnamon and wood spice. Recent batche
Keith
35 reviewsLot S-20-EMB-15, 53% Espadin/32% Barril/15% Mexicano; 52.6% ABV. Subdued aromas of clay distillation and ripe berries, sweet taste to start, heat & spice ignite in the middle then fizzle out quickly, sweetness continues through the finish and lingers long afterward. Baked agave essence prevails at the end with high-notes of cinnamon & dry spruce needles. The aftertaste is very pleasant and long-lived.
Jonny
729 reviewsLot S-01-CME-16. 78% Coyote, 18% Espadin, 4% Mexicano. Great Mezcal! This is high proof and the heat of the ABV stays with this one through the entire taste. It’s very hot with notes of wet oak, vanilla, and orange cream.
Keith
35 reviewsFive stars for Lot S-01-CME-16, 78% Coyote/18% Espadin/4% Mexicano; 52% ABV. Warm, bright, dry spices, hint of sandalwood, delightfully sizzles on the tongue, sweet on the lips.
Sandy
11 reviewsThe high alcohol caught me off guard (read: I coughed like a wuss), but I enjoyed the earthy taste from the clay.