Recent reviews

Ensemble 57% espadin, 43% mexicano 51.3% abv Lot: S-07-EM-18 Batch: 377 Liters

Surprised no one else has reviewed this particular bottle and that this blend and its rough proportions only seems to appear in a review by Rakhal. This one might be the most mexicano heavy of Tio Rey’s ensembles. Taste a good deal of that espadin, but then the drying quality of the mexicano takes over and some of its nuance. This is one hot mezcal, and normally the high abv’s don’t hit me as hard. That reaction to the abv seems to be a common thread amongst the other reviews. Nose has a bit of stinky feet but the flavors are all over the place. A ton of black pepper heat throughout, a bitter taste like pith of citrus but then an anise/licorice flavor comes through. There is also a background charcoal note, maybe a combo natural gas/mesquite grill. Some tropical fruit as well, dried pineapple with chili. And after letting get some air for a spell, there is some candy corn flavor there (which normally would be a deal breaker for me but isn’t too bad here). Down to the last couple pours of this offering, but I would gladly pay for another ensemble from Tio Rey. Really can taste and experience both agaves which is not common in the other ensembles that I have sampled. 4.25 stars out of 5.

Animalistic! Smokiness from Texas bbq and roasted jalapeño.
Sourdough, barnyard funkiness and Cuban pastilles de guayabo
A vanilla, roasted Agave and Tropical Skittles sweetness. Some mint, basil and light smoke on the exhale.
I’ve drank this with people new to Mezcal, this and Rey Campero Jabali and Derrumbes Durango have been the favorites.

This one is “just ok” for me…with a great smoky taste but a long way from the smoothness of the Pechuga Bozal – however this one is ~$60/bottle in my area.

This is my third bottle of Mezcal and this one is a winner. This is from Batch AMA -04 Bottle 31/293. Mezcalero – Amando Alvarado Alvarez.

NOSE: Light, almost no smoke, clean, a light good vegetable agave aroma

PALATE: Citrus, Fruit, Honey, Peach, a hint of a light licorice after taste. Second glass a light taste freshly cut grass. A few days later I’m as I’m writing this I’m having a glass all of the previous plus a very pleasant earthy taste, really awesome.

MOUTHFEEL: Very smooth, well rounded, light, goes down super easy.

FINISH: light licorice after taste, earth taste (sweet agave?)

This was a hit for me, the best Mezcal I’ve had so far, totally enjoyable. Perfect to sit down with at the in the evening to sip and relax with. I’m going with 4.5, my wife gives this one 5 starts. I made a video of opening this bottle and a review at https://youtu.be/KEC7C6EYd1g If you watch it then say hello in the comments. cheers, Ronco

Great value for this ensamble & perfect for cocktails.

Lot 3. This is beautiful. The Palmilla’s I’ve had from Sonora have all been great, and this is no exception. Soft and delicate. Earthy and fruity and herbal. This reminds me of lying on granite rocks by a cool stream in an oasis in the Sonoran desert eating a mango. There’s also something like smoked meat that I really dig. For me this Palmilla is more of a feeling than any particular flavor notes. I’m a fan.

A-06-M-19.
Earthy, vegetal, spicy, and sweet. Garden soil, olive brine, pineapple soda, allspice, nutmeg, and cream cheese frosting.

Nose – Vanilla. Sugar crystals. Medium+ smoke but pleasant. Not rough or ethanol rich like many cheap espadin. A touch of rubber.

Palate – Grassy. Vanilla bean sweetness. Slight latex. Flavors and aromas both on the smokier side but good. Mostly clean. I didn’t see the bottle (or get batch info, maybe recent ones are better?) but if it was 40% it had the flavor of about a 43-44% espadin. I was very pleasantly suprised by this an ordered another sipper. A solid, budget mezcal. 👌

Union Viejo lot number L3019XX011 Bottle number 2499/9924
I’m still learning about Mezcal, but so far I’m really enjoying what I’ve tasted.
It’s been a some time I’ve had now some better Mezcals, so I’m dropping Union do to 3 stars
from 3.5.

NOSE: Light smoke, you can smell some of the alcohol.

PALATE: Citrus, Fruit, then smoke, heat going down. Second sip sweeter taste, agave.

MOUTHFEEL: Smooth, light.

FINISH: Dry clean finish

I’ve made a video a few months back for this review. https://youtu.be/DEBwzLlt798 If you watch it then say hello in the comments. cheers, Ronco

Love this smell – banana runt candy, and soft cream. I actually get some reminiscent notes of a tep (not your green fresh vegetables or jalapeños, but something reminds me about it’s “cousin” agave). There’s an ‘artificial taste’ like others have mentioned ‘new tennis balls, or new car, or new something…’. This one is really delicious though, and can be sipped on all day. 4.25 Stars.

Very round with more general sweeter notes. An all day sipper for sure! I also get the black licorice notes others have mentioned, along with some altoids mintiness. I don’t normally like the lower ABVs, but even at 46.5% this one feels more like a low 42% or so. Really good!

Lot MYM01-21. Definitely getting some of the citric aromas, with notes of orange peel and grapefruit. The nose is very clean and subtle. The palate has great minerality. Tasting notes of gun powder, Himalayan salt, pepper, wet granite, and fresh mountain river water. This tastes like a cold morning, hiking in the mountains, drinking water directly from a running stream. I’ve only tasted a few mezcals from San Carlos Yautepec, and they all have this unique minerality to them. It really shines in this mezcal. I’m really enjoying this Espadin.

Batch LBE-001. Notes of black pepper, menthol, grapefruit, spearmint, and tropical fruit punch. The palate has notes of chili-mango, black pepper, Ben & Jerry’s Mint Chocolate Cookie ice cream, P-funk cigarettes, and freshly squeezed lime. This is rich and incredibly full. Mezcal from Durango is often too lactic for my palate, but this is an exception. It’s crisp and clean.

Batch from May 2021. Aromas of brown sugar, cocoa, nutmeg, and orange peel. The palate is rich with notes that mostly match the nose. Tasting notes of lime, pomegranate, orange cream, cafe au lait, caramel, and mesquite. This has a bit of heat on this, but incredibly complex. Overall this is an everyday type of session mezcal. Highly enjoyable.

Sampled at Baja Betty’s agave club in San Diego. Strong aroma and taste but finish is the best part. Sweet berrry cream on the aroma. Taste is peppery and fun with more slight sweetness and yumminess . Finish is sensational!

Lot 00721
Nose- heavy, floral, fruits with slight smoke/char
Palate- alcohol loud, mineral, creamy, heavy… maybe with smoke and alcohol?
Finish- alcohol, slight acetone, tinge on the tongue
Overall- a brighter spicier experience. Upon exhale big alcohol gives way to more notes upon inhale. Drinks higher than its proof. This lacks complexity and balance but worth trying.
I may be a bit biased as I haven’t fallen for Bozal in general.

Batch TOB-181
Nose- soft, floral, fruits
Palate- light, mineral, hint of smoke
Finish- smooth slightly ethanol which quickly dissipates
Overall- easy sipper that allows you to hunt for flavors

Actually first mezcal I ever tried and liked, so always gonna have a soft spot for it. Great for mixing, Vida is good enough to take a sip neat, but also not extremely special. So I don’t feel guilty/ as if I was wasting it when I’m in the mood for a cocktail.

One of the more complex espadíns I’ve had. Full mouthfeel, good structure. A bit burn, but not unpleasant. Light honey, banana cream dessert, smoke, some anise, herbal and nutty notes like there was some Tobaziche in there. No batch, but a recent import so probably one of the later ones.

Pine needles, resin, like a sotol, but as cagliostro states, it gains a rich fruitiness after letting it sit in the glass for a bit. Probably more or less same batch. Unripe mango, lime peel, fresh coconut, macadamia nut. Full bodied, not quite integrated alcohol, but pleasant still. Very good.
BXCEL1906, 46,3