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Co-founder of Mezcal Reviews. Not an expert, just a fellow agaveholic.
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Agave Mixtape Espadin – Felipe Cortes

Feb 9, 2023

Rockin’ Espadin. Probably flew through this 200ml bottle faster than any Mixtape offering ever released. There is something special about a good Espadin in the age of basic sub-43% celebrity Espadin mezcals. Looking at you “two guys”!

The full flavor of this Espadin (at 50.2%) is incredible because of the complexity of flavors. The “high” proof doesn’t overbear any part of this distillate. Big notes of powered sugar, salt, and lime rind. This is delicious.

Cuish Tepextate – Reina Sanchez

Feb 2, 2023

After tasting 5-6 different batches of Reyna’s Tepeztate over the years, overall I’ve enjoyed the ones released by Cuish the most. During a visit to the original Cuish Mezcalerlia in 2017, we tried a 2016 batch and I purchased a bottle (#55/57, 50%). That set a high Tepeztate bar early on in my mezcal exploration. It was exploding with peppery agave goodness.

Later a good mezcalerbro gifted me batch TE/20-X1 (bottle 29/180, 50%) and it is nearly up there with that 2016 batch. Notes of fresh Doublemint gum, sour apples, sweet banana peppers. It is a high rating and not all batches are the same, but a good one is an easily a Top 10 of all time for me.

Lamata Lamparillo

Jan 31, 2023

Still haven’t had a bad Lamparillo mezcal. Very interesting with some subtle vegetal notes. There’s almost a burnt peppercorn green bean thing happening. Zack is def spot on with the anise. For me it’s not overpowering but it is very much there on the finish like a gin.

Sipped at Tacos Güey in NYC. Pepe Simental Is listed as the Maestro Vinatero. Lot: LAM-S 12-1-2020 (80 L)

Mal Bien Espadin – Antonio Sonido

Jan 25, 2023

Bomb Espadin. Sugary spearmint cream soda with a bit of vanilla spice / white chocolate. Bit of red apple skin. Finish leaves a note of milk chocolate in your mouth. Delicious destilado.

Maguey Melate Mexicano – Fortunato Hernandez

Jan 24, 2023

After spending an afternoon with Fortunado, I’m probably a bit biased. To Jonny’s point, it opens up quite a bit after letting it sit. I get an interesting mix of Milk Duds on the front palate with a dry cinnamon finish. This spicy dry finish cools a bit after it opens up more. Lot FOR-MEX-001.

Rey Campero Chato

Nov 28, 2022

Have sipped this a few times over the years and moderately enjoyed it. Finally getting into an old sample. This is better than the regular RC Tobala release. Lots of organic green notes, green bean pods, watery papaya, ash, and orange peppers. August 2016 – Moreno’s exclusive batch, 49.6%.

5 Sentidos Espadin-Tobaziche

Nov 17, 2022

Admittedly haven’t gotten super into Tío Pedro batches but this is incredible and stands shoulder to shoulder with the best clay pot mezcals in Santa Catarina Minas. Dried peaches, gummy candy, burnt oranges. The line between agaves is blurred into clay sweetness. Batch ESTBZ05-19, 51.03%. 4.5 stars.

Batch ESTBZ06-19, 48.61% is more citric and bitter. Tastes hotter than the 50%+ batch. 3.5 stars.

Agua del Sol Espadin – Pedro Garcia Sernas

Nov 3, 2022

Solid Espadin. Light cotton candy. Dry mint. Salt. Grapefruit rind. Batch: V/2020

Maguey Melate Tepextate / Cuixe – Flavio Cesar

Nov 1, 2022

Honestly can’t remember when or why I bought this 375ml bottle. It is definitely an interesting combo of agaves. However, I don’t dig it that much. The notes are a bit sour and rancid like old wet leaves. A few reviewers have noted “paint” which is definitely accurate.. like the smell of a freshly opened paint can. I’m not super opposed to it but also not keen on it. I’ll keep it around to share with friends – still an interesting ensamble. FLA-ENS-001 batch.

Mazot Palmilla

Oct 27, 2022

There is some minty zest here and some odd green vegetal notes like Aloe with wet hay. Overall very mint veggie heavy with a touch of anise. Oh boy, shouldn’t have read the menthol cigs note from Jonny – can’t stop thinking about it now. Definitely a “sotol” that should be sought out and sampled. The Mazot line is a great representation of what Sonora has to offer. The Lote area on the bottle isn’t filled out, 47%.

Clande Sotol (Red)

Oct 25, 2022

In honor of the Lenny Kravitz takeover I’m cracking my old-ish bottle of Don Lalo’s Sotol. Currently wearing sunglasses while writing this review – it is no longer the mid-90s but I guess this is still really cool (especially standing near a bottle of sotol).

Well dang, the juice.. this is some wild stuff. I remember tasting the “red” back in the ‘ol Clande days and had mixed feelings. This is a left turn from Agavetown. There is wet mulch, tart berries, parsley, anise, and al dente green beans. Overall a vegetal and terroir driven Sotol which will never see the likes of day again!.. since it is now being watered down to 43%. Times they are a ching changin’ ($$$) — never thought it would happen this quick to a Sotol producer like this one. Try this or Don Lalo’s Sotoleros bottles if you see them! There are other sotols I like more than this one but you cannot deny the unique and complex sabores de la naturaleza de Chihuahua in this spirit.

Batch: March 2019, 50.3% ABV, Lot 4, 97 liters, glass rested.

Maguey Melate Chuparrosa

Oct 20, 2022

Oh boy, the infamous Chuparrosa from MM. To be fair, Maguey Melate has a strong track record, especially in 2022 – a year of killer subscription releases. I bought this 375ml bottle in the doldrums of 2020. Why? Because the agave species sounded badass and the label looked cool, what could go wrong? Well, after ~2 years and finally opening it.. it’s not the worst. Honestly it is kinda perfect for your friend’s friend that loves “smoky tequila”. I’ll probably use this and drop 0.5oz into a cocktail here and there. Or share it with your friend’s friend. Ain’t nothing wrong with that. What is great about MM is that they consistently explore, experiment, and then ship interesting stuff direct.

What about the tasting notes? Ok, well.. imagine a cotton candy machine outside of an oil spill set ablaze. Hot chemicals with a faint sugar finish.

Vago Espadin en Barro

Oct 16, 2022

Can’t believe i haven’t reviewed this. It is a somewhat rare release which used to retail for $50/bottle and has now doubled to $100/bottle which is still probably worth it, and before it was a steal. This is just like clay candy and it takes a bit for the bottle to open up. Lots of fruit mid-palate like peaches. Alcohol cinnamon spice finish. Feb. 2018 (S-15/01 – E-18), 373 liters, 50.6% ABV.

Maguey Melate Tequilana – Victor & Emanuel Ramos

Oct 2, 2022

I’ve been sipping mucho Tequilana lately (good tequila and blue weber mezcal); this is very expressive and leans sweet. Full agave flavors. Cotton candy, lemon zest, lavender, sweet tea, and minerals. Graceful for a ~49% mezcal. A lot going on and I will update this review after revisiting again.

Maguey Melate Lamparillo – Gilberto Roldán

Oct 2, 2022

My favorite of the 3 mezcals I’ve tried from Gilberto. Maybe it is this batch? Maybe it is the Lamparillo? It’s got an incredible confluence of sweet, sour, and bitter. It is like cooked oranges, with their sugars juices with charred bitter rinds. It is a “juicy” mezcal; at this point I’ve probably enjoyed every Lamparillo I’ve every tried. Lot GIL-LAM-001.

Gusto Historico Jabali – Vazquez

Oct 2, 2022

Bought on a whim because I really loved the ensamble from Juan Vásquez which was one of the first bottles released under the Gusto Histórico label. My barometer for Jabali mezcal is El Jolgorio (Ignacio Parada) and Rey Campero, the first ones I tried and releases early to the market. Everything after that is kind of ‘meh’ for me. This is just fine and has improved since opening it. However, it really does have tons of interesting notes which I think agave fans will enjoy. Dive bar seat leather, dried apricots, cigar box wood dry spice, and white pepper. I don’t regret the purchase and at the same time I think Jabali mezcals are getting a bit overhyped.. this is one of the better ones. Lot JV.03.21.JB

Maguey Melate Barril – Jaime Reyes Morales

Sep 29, 2022

A strong mezcal full of flavor. Most of the heat sits in your mouth and doesn’t burn or anything. Red apple skins and brown sugar. Sipped during a Maguey Melate Zoom tasting and the note of chiles stuck – I’m getting some cooked sweet chile notes too. This is a savory Karwinskii mezcal with a bit of a dry finish but not dry flavor notes. JAI-BAR-001.

Cuentacuentos Tepeztate – Everardo Garcia Salvador

Sep 7, 2022

Sad story behind this batch. The mezcal itself is ok. I look for complexity when I reach for a Tepeztate mezcal and only a few are on my ‘Top Tep’ list. This has vegetal herbaceous notes with yogurt chips. Overall soft and sweet. I didn’t realize it was partly clay pot which makes sense given some of the softened flavors. I dig this but am into his Madrecuishe more than this release. Bottle is quite new so will update this review if there is a dramatic change. Lot 34MC.

Todos Santos Mezcaleros Tobala

Jul 22, 2022

Fresh bottle opened at Chapulín in Austin, TX. Lots of diesel. My friends agree. I think some air in the bottle will benefit this. To its credit, at 54% there is no bite. Bottle 144/672

Creador Barril

Jul 15, 2022

Clean aromas of fresh clay and wet brown grass. Notes of clay mud, olive brine, cantaloupe water, and agave minerals. “Clay mezcals” from Minas and Sola de Vega present totally different profiles than this mezcal. The clay fermentation might be one of the biggest differentiators. Definitely unique in terms of what is currently (2022) on the US market. Looking forward to reviewing the rest of the lineup. #Firstbatch

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