Others have described this one well, so I won’t get too creative, but co-sign the notes of roasted pineapple, honey, mild smoke, and brioche. Fairly full bodied. Pleasant.

I bought this because I thought at $68, it might be worth sipping but not wasted in a cocktail, and I basically still agree with that notion, but for the price think there are some better offerings to be had with Derrumbes or Mezcal Vago.

The concept was obviously exciting, and pretty badass (I thought) until I realized the other batch had VENOM rather than rattlesnake meat. Oh well.
I would challenge anyone to successfully ID this as sotol from the smell — it’s carmelized, smells like bourbon. While the smell was a surprising twist, the flavor wasn’t too bold — hot alcohol, a bit of anise, little to no aftertaste, and almost none of the rich earthiness that I’d come to love from the Sotols I’ve had previously.
Very cool bottle and points for novelty, but also points away for the price. Paid $90 at Astor Wine and Spirits in NYC.
Batch AA013.

Look, I get that the hate for this is a bit of elitism for this being seemingly the single most well-distributed mezcal in the states, and often one’s only choice at a typical bar. That said, how many folks here were introduced to mezcal through this hardy little veteran?
Anyway, I think it deserves some credit. Not really for sipping, unless you want to take it with a lime, tequila style, but for bartenders it really imbues that characteristic scotch-like smokiness in cocktails that patrons are sometimes looking for.

Bell peppers, clean wet rocks, but a bit of a strange vinegar/microbial funk in later bottles I’ve had. It’s a fine sipping spirit, but the $40 cost I’ve been paying in NYC means it’s not wasted in a cocktail, either. Plus a half star for the value and that pretty label. 😉

Brown sugar bbq sauce, sweet potato fries, apples. Smoky, earthy, a little hotter than expected in the mouth, but settles out with the sweetness returning at the finish. Delicious, but not in my absolute top tier, as it’s not a truly singular flavor among mezcals in my mind. Paid $96 for a bottle at Astor Wine and Spirits in NYC — for that price, probably wouldn’t be something I jump on trying again right away, though.

Incredibly unique flavor, almost gamey like a thanksgiving turkey. Surprisingly viscous in the mouth, with a rich, full steak and potatoes dinner type of aftertaste.
Unique and lovely, and glad this was the El Jolgorio I took a shot with among the many expensive options. Paid $130 at Astor Wine and Spirits in NYC.

I’ve had mixed experiences with this, and if I were keen enough to pay attention to batches I might be able to discern why.
I had two delicious bottles matching the flavor profile that most have mentioned: rain on cement is especially apt, with a long finish of smooth river rocks and earth, with a hint of sweetness. Those first bottles made for delicious cocktail mixers where the spirit would really shine on the aftertaste, and were good enough to sip neat.
The latest bottle though, had the funky, biotic, almost vomit-like flavor, like a bit of stomach bile. I certainly couldn’t drink it straight, although in cocktails it ended up settling out just fine. Given those early batches, and the very modest $40 – $50 going rate in NYC, this is worth another shot though.

Found a bottle at Sherry’s Wine and Spirits in Washington, DC ($108). I had ordered the incredible yellow label but was mistakenly fulfilled with the green label. While very different, I was able to temper my disappointment because this is still an insanely unique spirit worth a spot on any mezcal fanatic’s shelf.

Intense freshly cut grass, spearmint, peppery nasturtium, and a long aftertaste that is delightfully tingly and refreshing in the mouth. A millionaire’s mouthwash.

Lot 2, Jun 18, 52% wheeleri/49% agave churique.

Absolutely delicious and unlike any other spirit I’ve tried.
I’m reading the other reviews trying to pick up on any flavor notes that don’t feel like utter projection. . . maybe wheatgrass and cream? Hard to say.

Tasted first at Mezcalogia in Oaxaca, then snagged a bottle at Old Town Tequila in San Diego for $96. Never again to be found!!! One day I will taste this magic again.

I had purchased this in June 2020 at Old Town Tequila in San Diego for $96, having recently tried the absolutely stunning yellow label (first at Mezcalogia in Oaxaca, then by the bottle from Old Town Tequila)… unfortunately this was super hot, like licorice and anise and red hot candies, without any counterpoint, and I wasn’t able to enjoy it.

Grassy, sweet, bright in the mouth, with an effervescent mouth feel almost like sour pop rocks candy. Or maybe I was just drunk after 15 chupitos. Either way, this was my favorite from the many Lalocura varieties I tried at his tasting room in Oaxaca, and if I had any idea that bottles in NYC cost $150+ I would have brought more home!

Perhaps as pechuga as pechuga gets? The oilslick mouthfeel, carmelized flavors, with a hint of orange and cinnamon. Best pechuga in the world may not be higher than 4 stars for my palette, though. Had this at the Lalocura tasting room with the man himself.

Sweet vanilla frosting on the nose.
Hot sunlight on clean dry pavement (quite a foil to the common wet earth profiles) in the mouth.
Body is thin, almost light and airy even with a not insignificant alcohol heat.
Warm vanilla sugar on the tail, and that hot alcohol quickly dissipates.
Gorgeous and unique. My first Mezcalero, and probably 1 of only 2 or 3 “five star” bottles for me.
Paid $100 for the bottle in NYC.