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New to finer Mezcals and actively working to develop and expand my palate.
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Del Maguey VIDA Clásico

Feb 24, 2024

Lot: VID-221
ABV: 42%

This is standard well Espadin and it works nicely as a bulk mixer. Smokey with a small undertone of grilled pineapple but still not a sipper.

On par with or maybe even slightly better than the rest of the other current mass-market options but that’s as far as this dog walks.

Pal’alma Al Pastor

Feb 13, 2024

Maestro: Asunción Matilda Vargas
Lote: 20
Botella: 19/60 & 50/60
ABV: 59%

IMHO this is absolutely magic. There’s no way I’m going to be able to adequately review it, there are so many flavors and twists that every time I pour it I find something new.

The nose is the Sierra del Tigre of Pechugas. It’s loud and intriguing and interesting and totally different from anything else I’ve ever tried. Bacon grease, fennel, candied oranges, sweet yellow corn, wet terracotta, cane sugar, chipotle beef jerky, green beans… it just keeps giving.

A blast of flavors! Smokey bbq sauce slathered pork up front then cedar, pineapple, adobo, guajillo chilis, molasses, clay pot, honeysuckle, sweet agave, achiote, white vinegar, slate…

The finish is long lasting, not overly hot (and not at all hot for 59%) and tastes of unseasoned dried mushrooms, grilled veggies, clove, corn tortillas, charred asparagus, sweet onion, and 1-2 more (unknown to me) spices. It has a solid viscosity that makes it hang out with you well after you sip it, I absolutely love that too.

I prefer and mostly chase all types of Pechugas and Raicillas and this one is now at the very top of my list. It’s bold and addictively tasty and totally unique; I’d recommend trying a pour first if possible before buying it if you’re not into “wild and different” expressions but for me it’s heaven in a bottle and I’ll be stocking up regardless of its (100% totally justified) price point. 5/5!

Edit: Several months later and F me this is the most amazing bottle of Mezcal I’ve ever had. If I owned something and you wanted it for just one more bottle I would give it to you. Air and time has made this even tastier – I will forever be on the hunt for more.

Alipus XX San Andres Aniversario Espadin y Bicuishe – Don Valente Angel

Jan 31, 2024

Lote: AE-XXSA2
Bottle: 013 or 073/3076
ABV: 47.5%

A really lovely Artesanal that opened up quite nicely after 6-8 weeks or so.

Super sweet on the nose with a back hint of leather and an overall arboretum-in-the-springtime blast of all things floral; truly delightful.

I definitely agree with Jori on the strawberry, that is very prevalent amongst the flavors but still not too overpowering. Cooked agave, orange bell pepper and toasted oak and cedar chars stick out to me the most. This also has a light briny salt undertone on the finish that always stays pleasant which was maybe the most surprising aspect to me; I kept waiting for it to turn foul but it never did.

Hard to stop inhaling the nose due to its sweetness… This spirit is a real pleasure to enjoy with all of the flavors and notes being blended and balanced together so well, excellent.

Del Maguey Chichicapa

Jan 31, 2024

Lote: CHI-208
ABV: 48%

The most reviewed Mezcal on the market for a reason. Nose is a mix of mandarin orange, peppercorn, sweet berries and vanilla. Pleasant and enjoyable.

Medium oil mouthful with an immediate forward of smoky barbecue followed by black cherry and that light hint of rubber ball at the end, overall quite nice considering its price point.

The finish is not that deep though and turns just a tiny bit sour before disappearing completely… Absolutely perfect for quality mixings, first time introductions and scratching the itch when you’re in a location with no other availability to the highest-quality expressions. A solid 3.75/5.

Yuu Baal Jabali

Dec 29, 2023

Lot: YJ07-21
Bottle: 143/2000 (375 ml)
ABV: 45%

I’m quite impressed with this spirit given its price point. Also noteworthy is that my particular bottle is listed as being double distilled using well water in copper, not clay. Crushing was done by hand by wooden mallet and cooking was done in a stone oven.

Nose is brine-y sea salt, oak, orange bell pepper and sugary bbq smoke. Sweet and inviting overall.

Initial flavors are salty chocolate, toasted agave, virgin olive oil and spicy Jabali. The Jabali note doesn’t last as long and really isn’t as intense as I want prefer but it is still there and not bad at all.

Finishing flavors are a mix of fruit, walnuts and smoke but then it turns sour/bitter for a moment. Thankfully it ends with not much of any lingering flavor at all (which is not preferred but better than the sour).

Overall I enjoyed this one and am glad I purchased it, a nice spirit at a great price.

Balam Comiteco Salmiana

Dec 21, 2023

Lote: EL-II-20
Bottle: 037 (of 300L)
ABV: 43%

Nose is wild mushrooms, powdery mildew, Silver Cloud sourmash and cherries – loud and funky.

Enjoyable mix of flavors – toasted pine, orange peel, light juniper, wet soil and ashy clay but unfortunately all of them are too muted by the mash bomb. Hard to drink more than a little and the lower ABV is a bit noticeable.

The finish is more pleasant but still overwhelmed by sours. Last is a nice addition of heat and it’s rare for a reason I suppose but 1 bottle will keep me stocked up for a while.

Ilegal Joven

Dec 3, 2023

This was worse than I thought it would be. I was recently on a cruise and this was the only “Mezcal” they had so I thought what the hell let’s try it, how bad could it be?

The only notes/profile was the strong sting of medicinal rubbing alcohol. It smelled like the worst/cheapest potato vodka Eastern Europe has ever put into a plastic bottle.

Despite the foul offensive odor the taste was very weak and mostly flavorless with just an aftertaste of white granulated sugar and peroxide.

Somehow it still managed to leave a weird ginger like flavor lingering in my mouth… Lol this stuff is terrible, I don’t know how it survives on the shelf.

Burrito Fiestero Ensamble – Salmiana & Cenizo

Dec 3, 2023

Lote: 002-E
ABV: 46%

I agree with the other reviewer; this bottle is amazing and absolutely a steal at its’ price point. I wasn’t crazy about it at first but after drinking the neck and allowing several weeks of opening up it has become a fan favorite at our household.

Full grape candy nose blast, no other way to put it. Delicious and sugary grape goodness are the full aroma notes; really impressive and inviting.

Mild and sweet agave flavors, very little smoke to it and definitely nothing offensive at all. Just enough spicy-burn to assert the mid-ABV presence on the tongue/cheeks but the main flavor notes again are simply sweet candies (smarties, the candy shell of a jawbreaker/etc). So tasty it’s dangerous!

This has become one of my very favorite daily sippers and is something I use to introduce staunch “tequila only” drinkers to Mezcal with.

Buy a bottle today, drink off the first 4–6 ounces and then come back in a month to your new budget favorite.

Grulani Tepeztate

Dec 3, 2023

Maestro: Leo Hernandez
Batch #00
Bottle #50/450
Harvest: February, 2020
Origin: San Baltazar Guelavila, Oaxaca
Age of Maguey: 25 years
Oven: Cooked in an earthan oven
Crush: Stonemill pulled by horse
Yeast: Wild
Still: Copper
Distillation: 2x
Liters produced: 350
ABV: 46%

An absolutely amazing Tepeztate. The nose is very floral and lightly sweet and there are very few alcohol vapors present. It is very pleasant and enjoyable just to hang out with.

The Maguey comes through beautifully and is not muddled at all. This Tep is sweet and very pleasant and it has so many different flavors going on that my palate can not keep up. It’s almost like sipping the perfect end to a perfect day.

The viscosity is mild and the final flavors give off slight hints of wheat, citrus, palm hearts, blue corn and wet stone. Lovely.

I’ve only had this bottle open for about a month now but I can’t wait for it to fully open to see just how deep it can go. Even still this is already a solid pick up and highly recommended.

Edit: 6 weeks later and holy cow this is fantastic juice. An outstanding Tepe; will be buying more tomorrow if still available.

Rey Campero Tepextate

Dec 3, 2023

Lote: D5017-T
ABV: 48.4%

The nose is a strong glue, cane sugar and vegetal mix. Flavor is blended perfectly imo – lactic, fresh corn, green beans/greens and a small hint of rubber. Not offending, quite nice actually.

Finish doesn’t linger which is a shame. Still really nice for the price point so I’ll keep it on hand.

Gracias a Dios Pechuga

Dec 3, 2023

Lot: 02P-387
Agave: 8 Year Angustfoia
ABV: 45%
Pechuga Guajolote (not Pollo)

I found this GAD Pechuga for sale in Mexico and to be quite good.

Nose is strong, peppery and very much like a hot, fresh Carribean spiced rum cake.

Flavors are immediately cinnamon, allspice, problamo pepper and ground white corn. There is a thick viscosity to this drink and the mouthfeel is warm and long-lasting from the rich coating.

The finish flavors is more spice but then turns a bit sour, like a sour mash something or other but then fades too quick for me, quicker than say a Real Mineral or El Jolgorio Pechuga would.

Depending on the price point and availability of what else is on the shelf with it I would possibly buy this again. 3.75 stars but rounded up to 4 because of the price point I paid and just because I love love love Pechugas – a pretty good budget example overall!

Amaras Cupreata

Dec 3, 2023

Bottled: 2023
Primavera
Lote: 3
ABV: 40.3%

This was a random purchase and at first I thought a huge mistake. Strong prominent vapors of rubbing alcohol were all I could pull from it and the flavors were not much different. Initially this tasted like a cheap vodka but after a week of being open I was somewhat pleasantly surprised by the changes.

The nose became much sweeter, somewhat lactic and at least 50% of the rubbing alcohol vapors disappeared. The Cupreta flavors finally began shining through and while they never became totally distinct (or even all that pleasant tbh) it did become drinkable. When mixed with a zero-calorie sparkling lime water it actually became an excellent mixed drink.

The low ABV was always a factor; I never really got enough enjoyment from sipping it before I just quit drinking it stand-alone altogether. This is definitely a mass market product and a nice mixer that did improve with time however don’t believe I will ever return to it again.

Siglo Cero Pox

Dec 3, 2023

Very interesting and different from Mezcal – this is lighter and thinner and reminds me more of moonshine (which I love) than what I typically sip on. Lots of corn and grain earthiness flavors and the finish stayed with me longer than I expected it to. Not something I would drink on a daily basis but a great historical and conversation piece nonetheless.

This was a really fun addition to my collection and like Pulque this is something that everybody should try at least once IMO. There is another Pox I tried called “Poxna Artesianal” that I liked a little bit better but it is not available to review on this website and I only had a pour of it so more research is still required for a full fair comparison.

Rey Campero Espadin

Aug 15, 2023

Bottle: 39/3969
Date: September 2022
Lot: D5069-E
Glass Rested: 3 Months
ABV: 48.4%

I’ve had multiple bottles of this Rey Es. and all of them have been good but not particularly noteworthy except for this one lot/bottle. Not sure if it’s because it’s such an early bottle from run or if it’s just this one particular run but it turned out spectacular.

Nose is sweeter than the normal Rey Es., very sweet with little-no alcohol vapors present. Crisp, fresh, barely smoked/cooked agave and hazelnut which I found to be really nice.

Flavors present are sweet gum, orange bell pepper and light agave syrup. Creamy and not harsh at all. White cherry and a hint of lactic notes really give it a (although too brief) premium vibe.

Finish is herbal, light smoke and a light bite that lingers for 2-3 seconds. Not at all offensive and for the price ($48) it can’t be beat as a daily. I will be looking for any more bottles of D5069 I can find to see if I got a “one off” or if all of this run turned out the same way. Will update this review if I find any more.

Bozal Ensamble

Aug 15, 2023

* Lot No: 00622
* NOM: 0472X
* ABV: 47%

Nose is semi-sweet vanilla and acetone; slightly floral. Not offensive but not very interesting either.

Rougher and hotter palate than I was expecting (and wanting) – bitter spices, pipe tobacco, paprika and peppercorn.

The finish also remains hot – green chili, hay, cinnamon and a bitter Mexicano note. Not my favorite Bozal and even at only $52/L I likely won’t be purchasing another bottle.

La Venenosa Raicilla Tabernas

Jul 23, 2023

* Edition III
* Date: 09/22
* Lot: T3-21
* Bottle: 36/1600
* ABV: 44.9%

I’ve had several bottles and batches of Edition III but this early # bottle of this particular batch is definitely my favorite.

The nose is sweet white grape juice, sandalwood, whipped butter and originally it had a medium-blast of nail polish remover that has really mellowed out over the past few months. Today it is very nice and approachable, it has an excellent and inviting overall nose.

The first flavors are slightly spicy and very lactic. Almonds and smoked agave and jalapeño. Creamy and hot and the perfect amount of smoke. The spiciness/jalapeño falls next into several various citrus flavors but it doesn’t linger there for very long.

The finish is a slightly sour with some very lactic dairy/blue cheese and French Oak notes. It’s delicious – perfect for dessert or for after completing a tasting flight of non-Racillas and is much, much more tame than S.D. Tigere.

El Jolgorio Pechuga Navideña

Jul 23, 2023

* Mescalero: Gregorio Martinez Jarquin
* Edition: 21
* Harvest: 2020
* Palenque: Cortes
* Maguey: Espadin Aged 10 Years
* Bottle: 37/450
* ABV: 48%

An amazing pechuga! The nose is a loud symphony of cotton candy, mango, various sweet fruits, kiwi, pineapple and no ethanol or alcohol vapors whatsoever.

The flavors are muted at first and then come roaring in like a hurricane. Wet stone, soil, light smoke, buttered green beans, toasted agave and cinnamon all blend together perfectly in a solid and delightful mouthfill.

The flavors all dance and linger together for a nice short while but not forever as I have experienced before with some high-quality Salmianas and Cupreatas.

Every flavor that is on the nose then returns again this time including the addition of a mild and pleasant meatyness from the guajolote pecho and finally finishes with a slightly sugary dessert finish. Excellente!

Based upon the other reviews I obviously lucked into an early bottle from a fantastic batch. I have deducted a 1/2 star because of that and because of its high price. I would still advise you however to keep your eyes peeled whenever you spot this in the wild for a similarly numbered bottle from this same batch – you will be in for a real treat if you are lucky enough to find it.

5 Sentidos Sierra Negra

Jul 23, 2023

* Batch: SNALB 09–21
* Bottle: 139/354
* ABV: 48.6%

The nose is mild mahogany, cherries and yogurt but tastes are of rubber, various clays and cinnamon bark. Finish is hot and grassy but got alot milder after 2 months. A nice overall experience.

Rey Campero Jabali

Jul 23, 2023

* Lot: DS0098–J
* 200 mL Bottle
* ABV: 49.2%

Nose is very pleasant, this was actually the best part of the entire spirit for me unfortunately. Sweet sugar gum, ethanol, Hawaiian fruits and allspice. Pretty great!

The first flavors are offensive gasolines then bland then sour… Drinks more like an unaged corn whiskey or moonshine; sourwood then hot heat then plain white sugar.

The finish is a bit sweeter while the burn lasts a nice long time. The finishing notes are mostly wet stone, clay and soil. Maybe I got a lesser quality spirit because I only bought a pint? Maybe a bad batch? I’m not sure but if judging by this bottle alone I definitely don’t understand the hype as the only redeeming “wow factors” to this Jabali were the amazing nose and its long linger.

I’ve also let it rest for three months now after opening and there has been no real changes… I would try another batch but I would not buy a liter.

Pal’alma Guerrero – Cupreata Capon

Jul 22, 2023

* Mezcalero: Atremio G.
* Lot: 11
* Bottle: 03/51
* ABV: 50%

An absolutely amazing spirit! Nose is deep; unsweetened chocolate/cocoa and light cinnamon followed by black cherry. Very inviting and very nice.

Flavors explode – dates and pralines followed by pear and apple with just the right amount of white pepper bite to follow the fruits and sweets.

Mild leathery finish with no hints of ethanol or burnt vegetal and lingers for a nice time – just a overall plain stunner.

Hard to find, priced high and still a 5; one of the very best Mezcal’s I’ve ever had. I’ll be stashing my bottle waayyy back in the cabinet and crying once it’s gone, this one is a keeper.

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