This mezcal has a unique flavor profile that isn’t reminiscent of any other that i’ve tried.

The nose is very woody, with a bleu cheese funk and orange peel bite.

The pallet is sweet and velvety and retains an earthy funk. Difficult to pin down.

All in all this is a good, if not unspectacular mezcal. One of the better offerings from the Leyenda lineup.

This is a very soft and understated Mezcal.

The nose is elegant and floral with a nice citrus undertone that’s not overpowering.

The pallet is rich and soft with notes of candy and cooked agave. The finish lingers with a citrus brightness. This mezcal didn’t necessarily wow me but it’s a very smooth easy drinker at a good price.

This is an outstanding mezcal and was an instant 5 star from first taste.

The characteristics remind me of Real Minero Largo but with added citrus and softness. The nose is super fragrant with roasted peanuts, cooked agave, clay, and orange.

The pallet is even bigger but has a velvet softness to it. This is an extremely refined mezcal – huge flavor but low burn. One of the best I’ve had to date and would hold its own against more expensive mezcals.

One of 260 bottles produced courtesy of Austin Shaker.

This one lacks the finesse and elegance of other Real Minero mezcals I’ve tried. The nose is very earthy with lots of roasted peanuts signature to the clay pots used for distilling. I also pick up funky overripe fruit and cheese notes. The palate is somewhat overwhelming with nothing shining through distinctively. This is probably due to the high ABV (53.4%). Very warm notes overall, with peanuts, nutmeg, wood, and banana peel.
The burn is a little too prevalent. This mezcal would probably be better at a lower ABV. Overall, not my favorite but is still made at the masterful hands of Edgar Carreño so still solid.

A great introductory bottle to more premium mezcals. The nose is a great balance of burnt rubber and sweet citrus and isn’t as overwhelming bright as some other espadins. The pallet is sweeter than expected with a smooth, creamy finish. This has become to staple bottle of Del Maguey and for good reason.

This mezcal reminds me of scotch with its charred wood characteristic. The clay mellows out the citrus notes on the nose with a dusty wet stone quality. It smells like its been made in a location that has been making mezcal for a very long time. A must try.

Emigdio Jarquin – September 2018

If I were to recommend one mid-priced espadin it would be this one. The nose has notes of banana and candied pecans.
The pallet has the fruity characteristics signature to espadins but much like the tobala from Jarquin, this has a very rich and oily mouthfeel that is a perfect balance to the heat it packs.
This mezcal is sure to make an impact on even novice drinkers. Very high recommendation

This mezcal got an extra half star for how underpriced it is. A flavor this distinctive could easily sell for more.

Jalapeños and crisp citrus notes on the nose, reminds me of the pepper snap that comes along with tequila. Much of the same on the pallet with a sweet, honey suckle finish. Almost leaves a spicy aftertaste. At $35 a bottle, it’s definitely a great way to venture outside of espadin while not breaking the bank.

Emigdio Jarquin from April 2019

Wow, this is an incredible Tobala. I had a glass at Whisler’s (Mezcaleria Tobala) in Austin and resolved to buy a bottle. Definitely one of the brightest, most fruit forward tobalas I’ve had and also one of my favorites.

The nose is very lush and bright with notes of banana, bubble gum, and ginger. There’s also a warm, nutmeg quality.

The palette is very oily and rich. At >50% ABV, there’s a lot of heat but it is balances perfectly with the fruitiness of the mezcal as well as the oily mouthfeel.

The finish is rich and long with an oily mouthfeel that leads way to a lingering heat.

Highly recommended.

Having read reviews of this mezcal before I bought a bottle, my expectations were sky high but this spirit definitely delivered.

Nose: The nose is very warm and nutty – peanuts and ginger bread. There’s also notes of banana but more so the peal than the flesh. Very delicate, balanced and unique nose overall.

Palette: I’ve never had such a smooth mezcal. The feel is very oily and warm with very little burn. Banana shines through more on the palette than on the nose along with coconut that suits the oily mouthfeel.

The finish is long and bubblegum like.

This mezcal is sure to make an impression on both experienced and novice drinkers alike, particularly because of its unparalleled smoothness and depth. Can’t wait to try more from Real Minero

I like this one as an introduction to slightly higher caliber mezcals to the ones used for cocktails. Very bright, fruity and accessible with very little smoke.

Nose: very tropical with banana front and center. Some more citrus fruits in the background and a (perhaps overly) bright acetone smell throughout. Very little toasted notes to even out the fruit.

Palete: much like the nose with a sweet almost bubblegum essence. very clean with a distinct sharpness to it.

Finish: the sweetness becomes a zesty, slightly sour finish.

While this mezcal is somewhat unbalanced and dominated by the bright fruitiness, it makes for an excellent day drinking sipper on a sunny day. Solid espadin at its price-point.

Lot TOB – 16
A Mezcal I enjoy more and more with each sipping. Rogelio Martinez Cruz’s signature “dry fermenting” gives this mezcal a unique funk that is unlike any other tobala’s I’ve tried.

Nose: sweet burnt sugar with a beautiful blue cheese undertone that keeps it from veering on too sweet. As I smell the mezcal I picture mold growing on the roasted agave before fermentation, contributing the mango & banana fruitiness underneath. Not necessarily one I would describe as “clean” but rather a nose to get lost in the complexity of.

palate: overripe fruit and roasted agave. Also a fair amount of toasted almonds and leather compliment the distinct funky sweetness.

Finish: This is where most of the “smoke” lies. Long, woody, somewhat ashy but overall smooth and easy to drink too much of.

All in all, this one of my favorite mezcals and always the one I’m most inclined to pour from my collection of bottles. Also, one of the more expensive mezcals I (currently) own but worth the price. While similar, I prefer this to the Cruz’s Tepextate. There’s still much to uncover from this amazing spirit.

Second Rey Campero I’ve tried and am pretty new to Cuishe.

The nose contains a lot of citrus with a caramel sweetness and a clean, wet stone minerality. Very little smoke but a slight hint of roasted pepper and leather.

The pallet is rich and oily with roasted agave coating the mouth. The orange/citrus notes picked up on the nose cut through to create a nice clean finish. Much more “roasty” than smokey. Like the Rey Campero Jabali, heat lingers after the sip.

All in all, a very nice, well rounded and clean mezcal. 4 solid stars.