Recent reviews

the ramos have done it again!this is a fine espadin.a notch above most.the nose is deep and rich with minerals and soil.some lovely light spice that i cant quite describe.the palate is full and rich with mineral,spun sugar and some slight citrus.silky from start to finish.just right on the smoke and heat.cant find a weak link in this mezcal.i agree with jdb.way too many half-assed,overpriced, overhyped mezcals out there.usually i trust certain names and the ramos are up there on the list.if this bottle was twice the price it would still rate very high.this is a steal!

LOT JAB-221
2023/04/03

Nose: freshly lit fire crackers with a light green bell pepper note, leather comes on a little after with a little crushed red pepper and cheese finish. Very nice smelling and nice level changes.

Taste: light jalapeño spice, nice lemon zest with the leather coming on right after and hints of some burnt paper.

All in all really enjoyed this mezcal and would recommend it 100000%. Found it at my total wine marked down to $85 and it was a steal.

Lot: RAMB2023 Bottle: #4, Distillation Date: October 2022 ABV: 53.7%

First tried Rosario’s mezcal as part of a Maguey Melate release and really enjoyed it. I purchased this bottle at Old Town Tequila. This release reminds of how much I enjoy a well-made, clay-pot distilled mezcal. The flavor of that clay distillation in addition to the aroma come through strongly in this batch. Given that this batch is capón, there are a range of flavors that are more funky, earthy, slight meaty, and deeply sweet than a typical espadin. The high abv is definitely present and noticeable, which could also be impacting those flavors. Really a great expression and I highly recommend tracking down a bottle or a copita. Check out The Love of Mezcal’s review as well, they hit on many of the same tasting notes that I had: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5BS9g2LPN-/?igsh=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA==

50% abv, Lot 01-ESP

First became aware of Geü Beez when Paul Theroux wrote about visiting their palenque in his book “On the Plain of Snakes.” Finally has gotten released in the U.S. I picked up this bottle at Old Town Tequila in San Diego. I really appreciate these high proof espadins.

Nose: Vinyl, plastic wrap, and recently extinguished campfire

Palate: Anise, clove, bottom-end sweetness, roasted greens, heat is pretty strong and lingers all around the palate. There is a slight bitterness and flavor bordering on burnt spices. A different profile from many espadins that I have tried, and I definitely enjoyed this one.

In Mezcalistas review of this release, they mention dried apricot, which I don’t get, but the first taste of the bottle was much sweeter. If you are interested, Mezcalistas also linked to this YouTube video of production for the brand: https://youtu.be/qcDfpDinVOs?si=sdF7n15gB9fP5lgc

48% abv, Batch 0722ER

Picked up a bottle at Ramirez Liquor in LA. And what a great mezcal for a great price. $50! This espadin is both a high quality sipper and makes great cocktails. As mezcal’s popularity has risen, too many 40% abv mezcals have entered the market that are of inferior quality, and even some that range up to 42-43% are pretty mediocre. I have been getting a lot of bitterness in these espadins as well, which isn’t terrible, but then they have too much smoke and a watery mouthfeel. This batch from the Victor and Emanuel Ramos is such a delight.

Nose: Sweet bakery, pan dulce, limestone, musty cave

Palate: citrus, lime peel, saltwater taffy, coriander, perfect black pepper heat, fruit syrup, tart finish. Very well balanced, and well made. I gave an extra half star for the value, but it may be a 4 and a half star on its own. If you have been looking for a solid espadin for your bar or collection, grab one of these bottles while they are still around.

Batch 03/19; bottle 639/761
butter on the nose; vegetal at first then opens up and starts to taste like rubber/ alcohol

first time to sample this brand and this mezcaleros product.stellar! i have 4 or 5 puntas mezcals in my collection.this one is the highest abv.like the others,it is something to enjoy slowly and in small amounts.this is a learning curve for me but starting to appreciate puntas and the concentration of the flavors.it packs a serious punch(happy new year-lol)!the nose reminds me of the mayalen brand cupreatas and of sweet-tart candy.that quality carries over on the palate.mid way and on the finish i get ludens cherry cough drop and a beautiful agave profile.gentle smoke on a long finish.it has some real heat but in a pleasant way.not overbearing.a wonderful treat.i have purchased an espadin made by this mezcalero and will review when i get the chance. PS that fist on the label is no lie!!! LOL!

Lote M-20
Woody, fruity aromatic smell.
Candy fruitiness with lots of complexities. I need more than this 2 oz sampler! Rotten fruit on back end (similar to a raicilla). 4.25

2022 Don Santos. Cimarron agave. Rock fermented and distilled with a Filipino still. 45% abv. Some fine white particulates in the bottle. Soft roast agave on the nose. At first the flavors are kind of subtle but they ramp up towards the finish. Enjoyable and easy to sip.

My first mezcal review, so take with a grain of salt. Nose is intense – paint, with a touch of tire rubber and overripe tropical fruit. Subtle on the palate with sweet grassy notes, but opens up with cinnamon, clove, and petrol. The finish, my lord, the finish – it’s like getting gently whapped over the head with the softest feather pillow post-coitus by your naked lover: a blast of cinnamon and bubblegum with faint funk undertone. Wonderful and hits you every. single. time. Five stars for the finish…I’ve been thinking about it all week after the first taste.

Bottles VK1219, VK6070. Cuauhtémoc Lopez. 43.2%

Not quite “exquisito” as their label suggests but solid enough. I have two bottles from either end of lot VK. Both share the same notes of roasted agave, lemon, vanilla, acetone, cocoa, green stems and smoke. I generally have a positive view of Montelobos, but I find I spend more time contemplating their branding and positioning than what’s inside their bottle. Otherwise, a good value espadin.

persimmon, apple, cedar, lime, cantaloupe, spearmint, vanilla, pine, green chile, lemon peel
SAR001/23, 47.5%

Bottle 552/672. Lote 002. Smells and tastes like juicy agave and funky fruits. Theres spice, minerality, and a brightness to it as well. Pleasant finish that reminds you it was delicious.
Previously had a bottle both this from cdmx that was under a differnt label and it was a memorable too.

Nose: oh yeah this is definitely clay pot, tons of fig newton, fudge, tomato based sweet bbq sauce, ketchup

Palate: mmm nice earth, dried dates, soil, dark cocoa, orange marmalade, moving to the finish is mesquite spice. Minerality persist as a foundation through the finish as I get some nice Burnt ends. Finish is crispy burnt ends, carnitas, charred orange, more soil

A solid and enjoyable clay pot Arroqueno. I dig it more and more as I sip.

Lot SJR108/20
Decent mezcal, sipping was ok. Some rough edges but I liked the sweetness from the agave.

Nice subtle vegetal flavors. Ran out of my small samples before jotting more notes down. Overall I like Gilberto Roldan’s mezcal, including this one.

Delightfully surprised with this. I’m not a huge fan of their joven mezcal so I wasn’t sure what to expect with the reposado. It’s the only reposado mezcal I’ve ever had, so admittedly I’m giving some points for uniqueness. Aging in casks definitely mellowed out the harsh sombra flavors, giving it a richer texture and taste than the joven. Grape musk, caramel, light smoke, with a pleasant, mildly sweet finish. Good for sipping or in a oaxaca old fashioned. Would not recommend in much else. Not my first pick for mezcals but far from my last

Between this and montelobos, I’ll always choose the ladders. They occupy similar spaces in the market but the flavor here is lacking compared with competitors. It’s not bad for mixing, but there are better alternatives for the price. It has a harsh nose and a bitter finish with not a lot to appreciate in between

Vegetal, jalapeño pepper, chipotle burn. Not unpleasant, especially for the price point. But for 5-10 dollars more, there are better options out there. It’s 2/5 for sipping neat, 3/5 for mixes, and 4/5 for bang for your buck/accessibility. Milder than the Vida Clasico, but still catching some acetone burn on the finish that might leave some beginners reeling

Beating a very dead horse here, but the start, mid, and finish is all a bit harsh. Not a good entry sipper. Better suited for cocktails. It’s full throttle, wide open smoke the whole way through.