Lot #7, June 2014. A fine mezcal out of Michoacán. Manso (Spanish for tame) de Sahuayo is quite delightful. It starts out tame, ultra-light on the nose, barely picked up a little sweet whiff of Galletas Marias. Put it in your mouth and feel the roaring fire reminiscent of Aquilino’s mezcales. Once untamed you’ll taste a wonderfully complex mouthful of molasses, brown sugars and cheese cake. Long lasting burning finish.
Sweet BBQ sauce on my nose. In the palate, grape kool-aid and vanilla bean ice cream, with a well balanced specific gravity, not to oily and not too watery. Long finish. Great mouthwash substitute.
Interesting agave description, not an Ag. Americana but some type of Karawinski/Tobala hybrid. If I didn’t know it could pass for an ensemble.
R.I.P Aquilino. Sweet corn, caramel with a fiery long-lasting finish.
I’ll be scooping up every bottle left. And the best part? Under $60
Not as fruity or sweet as your typical tobalá. A lot of heat and pepper.
Chichicapa has to be the most reviewed mezcal on this site, and for a good reason. Del Maguey distributes it pretty much everywhere. Previous review from JJ was spot on. Indeed the Espadin benchmark.
This is quite a value, $75 for Tobalá that is well above average, what can go wrong? Light Smokey cantaloupe honeydew on the nose, followed rapidly by Piloncillo/Vanilla on the palate and a mild flavorful heat finish. Superb!
Lot SCM 141, a very special Arroqueño. 49% ABV, clay-distilled from Minas…simply marvelous. Someone correct me if I’m wrong but I believe this is the first batch from 2014.
Highly balanced, cinnamon, vanilla and sassafras in your nose, transforming into a Pechuga-like dark chocolate in the “paladar”. Strong hot burning finish.
Just what the doctor order for this holiday season.
Lot S-08-DV-T-14 fermented January 2014, 49.5% ABV.
Amazing array of caramel, butterscotch and pears. Mineral, earthy & fruity with a hint of very light smoke and chocolate. I’ve tried Tío Rey’s Espadin and several Ensambles and now this. So far everything has been outstanding. I wish he would come out with a Pechuga for the masses. Maybe next year.
Espadin sweetness on nose, delicious Chocolate Cake in the palate with a mild burn finish. Highly recommended. Good dollar value as well. Batch XPM3718.
What a delightful Pechuga. Delicious bubble gum on the nose. I second both Jonny and Tyler’s herb/botanical on the palate, think Aquavit with bananas and cherries. Long lasting burning finish. I plan on stocking up on this fine mezcal.
Don Celso stepped up to the plate with this one. Nose, palate and finish are very well balanced. Found this little gem at Mezcalito in SF (Thank you Jacob). Can’t wait to get home and try his La Jicarita Pechuga.
Lot 0118. Light smoke chick-fil-A, maple syrup on the nose and palate. Long lasting finish. Stupendous Pechuga and priced correctly.
Basilio Pacheco’s Espadin, San Martin and Mexicano. Buy it. This is a bargain. Smooth and sweet spirit.
Emigidio’s. Liquid pancakes, buttery plantains. Amazingly richful and the right amount of spice. Minimal cheese, leather barn flavor here.
The Cassius Clay of Mezcals. A one-two punch. Wholesome Mango identified, then quick as rain, sucker punched by the Habanero.
Nothing like clay-distilled Mezcal. Lemon sweet and peppery. Liquid Ricola. Hotness aftertaste. Yum!
