Recent reviews

Lot 0520RC. Aromas of orange soda, grapefruit, Sprite, and spearmint gum. The palate has notes of spearmint gum, menthol, peppermint, anise, coffee, and cinnamon. There’s some light smoke and a stickiness on the palate. This lingers with a long finish.

Lote BC001. Aromas of brown sugar and honey, almost to the point of smelling like an unaged rum. The palate is astringent with some lighter notes of sour overripe peaches, figs, and plums. A little thin and short on the finish, but fine overall. There’s nothing overly off-putting about this, but also nothing that really excites me.

MIA-T1903US/2019. Like night and day between this and the Pluma Negra Tep that I just tasted/reviewed back to back. This smells light and fruity, with aromas of green apples, pears, and green grapes. It actually smells really intriguing for a Tep. The palate however is underwhelming. It tastes overly charred, almost burnt with high ash content.

Lot 002-TPZ at 52%!! Really nice aromas of cinnamon, allspice, and black pepper. The palate follows with heavy pepper notes upfront and fruity mid-palate notes of grilled pineapple and watermelon. There’s a grilled vegetable element mid-palate as well, perhaps grilled green peppers. This is balanced and dry. Really enjoying this Tep!

Distilled 2012, released 2021, 660 liters produced.

I cannot get enough of this stuff, it has an amazing nose and incredible taste. Sweet tarts and Smarties – I get both on the nose and palate. Buy as much as you can and if you disagree, I’ll buy it from you!

Ed 2021, harvest 2019, bottle 245/672, 54% ABV. Initial thoughts were that the price was not justified, but mezcals can be tricky, so I had at it again last night and it took another path. On the nose, it went from offensive to far more tolerable. Similar experience on the palate. It is complex and take on a number of tasting notes and I liken it to a chameleon, constantly changing. Fruity once things get going. EJ just never really lets you down, such quality products – fortunate to have a 2nd bottle of this for “down the road” (same as the arroqueno)

Tried at Sabina Sabe in Oaxaca, December 2021
Slightly sweet finish. Starting to really love this brand.

Bought one on the spot. Excellent smooth finish, somehow vegetal and floral at the same time. I’ll be enjoying this one for a while.

Got a bottle from OldTownTequila, (their recommendation) fermented in Summer 2017, and drank throughout 2021. Mild with a bit of spicy and perfectly balanced flavor. Ordered another bottle for 2022. This is my current gold standard for Tepeztate

so amazingly soft and silky!full body sweet.you would not believe this was a 48 % abv mezcal.this is what an espadin should be at its best and even a step better.this mezcalero knows his craft well.sweet agave fruit.nice subtle smoke and no bite.medium finish.a treat that would be very easy to sip on all evening.mabey too easy!

Some of those classic Cortes notes (see: minerality). Big time sugar and minerals. More sugar on this one.. like rock candy. The Bicuixe comes in on the finish.. dry and a bit pungent but a great balance to the sweet Espadin. As others have noted, there is a faint lactic note in the background. The finish lingers on the tongue. Agave Mixtape volume 8 batch.

Edit: After sipping again I’m going to bump up my rating a bit. It is really nice and fresh compared to some of the other mezcals I have sipped this evening.

Big change from the Rey Zapoteco Espadin. Big notes of herbal mint-like eucalyptus or yerba mate. For a karwinskii, I’m not getting many of the dry woody note.. it is full of fresh flavors. Overall it is interesting but there is a sour note which distracts me a bit. At 45%, the alcohol seems a bit stronger than it should be. Batch E-0124, 2019.

A somewhat standard yet classic tasting Espadin. It transports me to Oaxaca and memories of sipping mezcal in bars in Oaxaca City. There is a bit of dark fruit tartness along with smoked wood. Batch E-0124, 2019.

One of my favorites from the club so far! Really good from aroma to finish. Different than espadín or other varieties. While I’m not a jabalí expert this mezcal is great! Great flavors and unique taste. Aroma is floral with mild sweetness. Taste is super fun and complex. Finish makes you want more.
The Maguey Melate club has done a great job with this box. I love that they find some rare stuff and I get to try it.
Batch Ger-Jab-001. Bottle 163.

Lote: 1-06 Bottela: 78/450
Nose – Candy apple. A hint of ethanol.

Palate – Medium viscosity. Vanilla cream. Big time tobacco leaf. Charred oak finish. A quality mezcal.

Tried three different tobala at the RM palenque. Their normal offering but then two more special batches where they brought the Tobala in from Sola de Vega in one expression and Miahuatlan in the other. But all made the same way in their palenque. This 3x side by side was exceptional – an incredible way to try and hone in on the respective terrior. The Miahuatlan Tobala was the winner, possibly tasting more like Fruit Loops then actual Fruit Loops. My appreciate for Real Minero after this visit went through the roof!!

Tried at the RM palenque tasting room. This was 51% and rock solid. Roasted, sugary agave. Dried fruit. Orange slices. A hint of milk chocolate to complement the velvety clay in the finish. Edgar works espadin magic here.

Tried at the RM palenque tasting room. A mind bending mash of intense flavors (savory, sweet, clay, mesquite smoke). I like to be able to identify the different maguey in an ensamble but they were all muddled together flavorwise. But still awesome.

Tried at the RM palenque tasting room. Very pronounced tepeztate (becuela) in the nose and initial flavors on the palate – green and vegetal. But then a lovely floral, clay and candy finish. An incredible ensamble!

Tried this at their palenque. Earth and stone notes. Thyme. Granny Smith apple. Sea salt in the finish. This expression was the first of many. I love Real Minero!!! 🤩