I love the Tosba story and their Espadin is out of this world for the price so my expectations were sky high. Although I wasn’t blown away this has all the trappings that we love with Tobala: rich, vegetal, light smoke, fruity, and medicinal. I usually don’t get much heat from alcohol on Tobala as they are so soft but I felt the 49% abv right away and I enjoyed that sweet menthol heat. Rock solid all around option.
I made the mistake of trying this alongside the madrecuish so it was a bit of a shock after such an easy to drink spirit. I may revisit this review after another tasting. Nevertheless, I found the earthy/chalk/lavender flavor upfront just a little difficult to overcome. Reminded me of limestone rich soil and Sacatoro agave from Guerrero. Certainly unique – just didn’t enrapture me like the Madrecuishe but this brand has delicious mezcal so certainly worth digging into if given the chance!
Had to try this after all the great reviews and its a beautiful expression all around. Tasted along with the Sierrudo and this floral, herbal, perfectly balanced expression just had you wanting to go back for more. It’s worthy of the stellar reviews and I look forward to trying it again. Thanks to Cantina Mayahuel in San Diego for having such an awesome agave spirits collection!
Cool bottle, low cost, and common at liquor stores/bars. Never been a fan of this for sipping but their aim is cocktails so its perfectly suited to that space and works great for palomas/margaritas/etc. In cocktails I’d have no problem getting a bottle of this and the black bottle looks cool so you can impress your friends.
Lower ABV than I usually go for but as a nice entry into a different mezcal category so give it a shot. Low price point and a nice sweet green pepper, floral, clean, and smooth offering. Nice option for newly minted mezcal drinkers or anyone you want to ease into the mezcal category.
Easy to find, priced reasonably, and a great product all around. Subtle and balanced – plenty of more in depth reviews but just an approachable standard that every mezcal lover should try along the way.
Sweet and savory – great Espadin expression at 50% abv priced under $50 you can’t go wrong. Lingered just long enough – didn’t get any harsh alcohol burn at the higher abv and the flavors are not watered down in any way.
Had this at Mezcaloteca (branded differently but October 2019 batch). I love his regular Alto/Inaequidens under the Mezonte brand so this was a nice treat with an added layer of complexity with the lemongrass. Sweet, woody, citrusy, grapes, and a nice drying impact on the finish. Made me want to go back for more – although the group I was with wasn’t as enthusiastic so this may be for the more adventurous agave enthusiasts.
2019 batch. Sought this out after all the great reviews and it did not disappoint. I got some delicious sweet corn whiskey vibes and then it settled nicely with some round agave on the finish. Reminded me of a clay pot type profile and certainly worthy of all the hype.
Lot A84: The bottles are very interesting and would be a fun gift. This Tepezatate is along the lines of Banhez, Bozal, for me but I found it at a Costco for about $70 so considering the price this gets a bump. Vegetal notes are there albeit not with the punch I get out of other more exciting expressions (Reina Sanchez/Victor Ramos). On the back end some pickled veggies and little tart/dry/sour. For the price – its a great find. However, if you’re in the $100+ price point you may want to consider another option.
2020 Fruity, rich, round, silky, and a little wild. The the cost of bottle out of the equation (unlikely I know) and you have a beautiful clay pot expression that is really impressive and would be a crowd pleaser for any agave spirits enthusiasts.
2020 – 200 L. My favorite of the Mezonte offerings – just a really rich and complex spirit that stood out to me amongst the current lineup. Bright, floral, fruity, dry white wine and just an all around banger if you’re a fan of Raicilla.
This is the 2020 edition – 5 magueys – 600 L. Expensive in the states but worth a try if you get the chance and want to try something different. I just got the taste of really sweet hay/grass. Barnyard vibes on this one. Seems like they have a lot of flavor/quality diversity with this expression but unique nonetheless.
Needless to say at such a high price point you have hefty expectations and this ensamble is my favorite. Really cool mouth feel, some balanced baking spice, and just enough cacao sweetness. Expensive – absolutely – delicious – absolutely.
A friend shared this with me I wanted to fall in love but I’ve had a few other Tepeztates recently that really stood out (at a lower price point) and this came across a bit more toned down. Vegetal, creamy, lightly sweet, muted, and still a great mezcal at its core – I suppose my expectations just out paced my experience.
06/2019 430 L: tasted side by side with the ensamble and this was secondary although a very nice entry and if you’re a single agave lover of Karwinskii then you’ll be thrilled. Just had more heat and harshness when tasted alongside the ensamble although the peppery and mineral and delivered the goods and the flavor lingered longer.
5/2020 62% Mexicano/38% Madrecuishe – full disclosure I am a sucker for Mezcal from Miahuatlan and this one certainly delivers. Just a crisp, clean, and bright flavor that sips like its 40% abv not 51%. Mellowed sweetness, some ripe fruit, just a rock solid option all around that won’t blow you away but will keep you coming back for more.
A favorite of a few bartenders in Guadalajara and one of my favorite Raicillas I’ve had so far (I’ve only had a handful). I get a nice hit of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum, sweet cream cheese funk, and a wild flavor that I wish more tequila had. Didn’t get batch info (bottle says espadin/mexicano agaves). Great ensamble if so – perfect gateway into Raicilla.
If you insist on getting a Tepeztate and you want to save $35 then this is a great option to get you started. Hardly any options for for this agave at this price point so they get a little bump in scoring and the juice is equal to some more expensive options also. Great tasting notes from other reviewers here already but just manage your expectations and enjoy the fresh green/medicinal/smooth vibes.
Not sure how Bozal makes anything on these expressions but for $40 its a winner. Good heat, cooked agave, slight spicy complexity, but overall very agreeable. Seems like this bottle is everywhere recently: Trader Joes, Whole Foods, and cocktail bars.
