JB02. Tasted at El Destilado in Oaxaca. Effortlessly good. Fruit forward and creamy. I didn’t find it as intense in flavor as some of my favorite jabalis, which was a little disappointing. Very balanced though. Little short on the finish, but still really so good. Lacking a wow factor for me. For the price in Oaxaca (about $50 usd), it would be an amazing everyday sipper though. If you try it, you won’t regret it.

This one basically started my love for jabali, and is still one of my go-to favorites. Slight oily texture, vanilla on the nose. Big burst of ripe tropical fruit and citrus. Love the floral qualities that follow- cherry blossom, jasmine, maybe even some oolong tea bitterness. Ends with a little kick of white pepper.

Earthy, with some spice, followed by raw veggies. Overall, very clean flavor. Reminds me more of a straight espadin though- didn’t have a chance to see the bottle so wondering what the split of espadin-tobala is. Easy to drink, but leaves you wanting more.

Citrus note really shine through in this one, which makes it refreshing. My first experience with Cirial. Overall, nothing really standout. Solid for sure, but no big wow factor. Light smoke and no bite- likely due to the 42% ABV.

Surprisingly good! Notes of vanilla and honey sweetness. Earthy but very light. Not the most complex, but honestly for the price point, I think it’s a good entry level mezcal and a good everyday sipper. Tried next to the Nacional 1938 and Union Viejo, and this was my favorite of the three.

RML-05, 2016 by Don Lorenzo. Salted peanuts on the nose. First sip is very savory and then it really opens up. Pine and maple syrup, and then toasted coconut. The creaminess and finish lasts for days!

Yum! I’m a fan of madres and this is up there with the best of them. Very easy to drink. I get a lot of earthiness and tree fruits. Finish reminds me a fresh sourdough.

2 star sipper, 3 star mixer. Taste is mostly smokey and fits the mindset of what most new drinkers think mezcal is. Other than that, no wow factor. If you’re looking to make a cocktail, reach for Vida- it works great!

Broccolini, jalapeños, green bell peppers and unripe avocados. The light smokyness makes it feel like you’re eating grilled veggies. If you like vegetal and herbal mezcals then this is the one for you. This 25 year old agave truly makes it taste like a 25 year old garden, terroir and all. Believe the hype! Edition 16, 2017.

Another great mezcalosfera release. Nose was very earthy and vegetal. Pepper and grass on the first taste with a light rosey floralness. Finish doesn’t last long but definitely lots of minerality followed by grapefruit! Very clean flavor. I tasted it alongside Rey Campero’s jabali, and it’s tamer, more balanced which I credit the espadin.

Edit 3/2018 – did a tasting with a couple of friends who are new to mezcal. This bottle won the night against a few other mezcalosfera bottles, RC and Jolgorio.

Wow, lots of clay on this one, very apparent on the nose, along with some vegetal notes. Followed by a good blast of cayenne pepper heat, and then some cardamom spice. Texture is a little oily, but ends on the sweet side before circling back to lingering clay for a long finish. Really rounded in that sense. Definitely worth a few minutes opening up on the counter before sipping, which I find surprising at 48%. (lot AESM-006)

Incredible. Amazingly complex flavors. Sings in your mouth and leaves your palate wanting another sip. Floral with delicate sweetness. Slight nuttiness in the finish. But like others mentioned, there’re so many flavors, it’s hard to nail down. Can drink this all day, but best savor for special occasions. Worth the price, you won’t be sorry!