Sometimes Berta’s batches are too smoke-heavy for me, this is not one of them. It is a bit subtle overall but decently balanced with some dry fruit, cigar box, and cinnamon. It is a fine mezcal but not one I’d reach for often. This was from a tasting kit of 50ml bottles ordered in February 2022.
This mezcal is awesome and a must-try from SLP. Tepextate lovers will appreciate the big green pepper notes in this mezcal. Despite the pulque used in fermentation, it doesn’t have the sour funk notes you might expect. It is very herbaceous and balanced with notes of green apple, salty caramel, cotton candy, crushed peppercorn. Probably the first batch to land in the US. This was from a tasting kit of 50ml bottles ordered in early 2022. 48.9% ABV.
Nice subtle vegetal flavors. Ran out of my small samples before jotting more notes down. Overall I like Gilberto Roldan’s mezcal, including this one.
One of the less favorable mezcals I’ve had the displeasure of sipping. Ok it’s not as horrible as a Casamigos Tequila or Zignum, but it’s in the same non-flavor industrial tourist crap. Añejo probably adds some “points” to the flavor. Copper, sour brown sugar.. Don’t support this airport brand.
Huge fan of Onofre and Tepextate mezcals but this is not the best representation of the plant unfortunately. Dark sour pepper notes with a hint of dry tobacco leaf. Surprised the Miahuatlán minerality is not coming through more. Lot OO-TPX-14.
Nice clay pot mezcal. Dried fruit, taffy, strawberries.. a bit of punchy/ABV spice. Definitely need to try more from this mezcalero. Lot RA-ETM-01.
I like GAD quite a bit but this release was a miss. Don’t have the batch number – it was probably purchased in 2018 or so. Not much pineapple flavor. A bit of smoky and sour Espadin with a Sour Patch Kid finish. I think if mezcal fans picked up this bottle they’d want it to be pineapple forward which this is not.
Above-average Tepeztate from Matatlán, Oaxaca. There is a bit of that Jabali dry soapiness with vegetal green spice. Leaning hot for 46%. Retail is $200 which seems a bit high – for that price range I might look elsewhere for a top-tier Tepeztate. Overall, good Tepeztates are more rare than common these days.
Tobala never seems to produce signature flavors meaning every Tobala mezcal might go in a different direction flavor-wise. This one is incredibly vegetal and quite unique. Drinks a bit soft, no alcohol bite even on the finish. Grey label. Batch IJ.04.21.TB, 100 liters.
Initially I agreed with Jonny’s notes. But after revisiting this.. maybe it opened up? Maybe my palate is different tonight. I’m enjoying it. Definitely some funk and not something I’d guess was a Salmiana. Lactic, raw green beans, chlorine salt. 1 oz sample with no lot number; purchased in a Lagrimas de Dolores tasting kit in February 2021.
Wild organic nose, dried dirt. On the palate, spice, smoked whiskey, snickerdoodle, kiwi rock candy. Fun unique mezcal from Durango. 2oz sample, no batch number. 52%.
Interesting mezcal.. wish I had more than an ounce to dive into. The flavors are kind of compact. Soda syrup, mint, bell pepper, grape. Quite interesting. The Masparillo from this mezcalero is a bit better. 1 oz sample with no lot number; purchased in a Lagrimas de Dolores tasting kit in February 2021.
Fun tasty stuff. Lots of herbal spicy notes.. almost like cannabis candy. Well balanced. Leaves the palate with a tingle from the spice, not the alcohol. Need to taste more from this mezcalero. 1 oz sample with no lot number; purchased in a Lagrimas de Dolores tasting kit in February 2021.
Some briny umami notes. Nice viscosity. Enjoying it more than the previous time I sipped this. 1 oz sample with no lot number; purchased in a Lagrimas de Dolores tasting kit in February 2021. Wish I had more to add additional feedback.
Second time sipping this. There are some strong smoke notes as are common with Berta’s mezcals but the agave flavor matches the smoke in a good way and adds a lot of balance. There are notes of charred sugarcane, smoked celery, bit of pine. Not sure I’d guess this was Salmiana. Definitely one of the better Berta batches. Series 7.
Fun and vibrant batch of Guerrero Cupreata. The back label says it was a produced in a newly constructed palenque and I’m wondering if the fermentation vats were new because there are some woody/pine notes here along with some fresh lavender, olive brine, and burnt coffee. I enjoy this but there is a bit of a sour finish for me; will try to revisit this one given the other very strong review. Batch ANXCH 04-21b, bottle 49/253.
Was sipping a sour raicilla before this and very happy at the change of pace. The Lechuguilla has a nice overriding sourdough bread note with some flavors of lime rind and cherry water. Jonny nailed it with the anise and coconut. It is an interesting spirit and very chill on the palate ABV-wise. It is giving off some really good vibes — transporting you to a small agave spirits distillery. Definitely peaks my interest in visiting Chihuahua. Give this one a sip.
Like many raicillas, this is a wild ride. There is some white wine vinegar on the nose and finish. Sipping, there are unique notes of old dry pineapple, spoiled milk, and Baiju. Not really a fan of this – I enjoy funky raicillas like La Venenosa Sierra del Tigre but some of the pungent notes are a bit unpleasant. It is a bit of a novelty pour; definitely glad I only have 100ml of it.
Aquilino’s Mexicano is legendary. This batch from his sons is interesting and very different. It is green and has a clove spice to it. A bit creamy. During the initial sips there was an odd Windex thing happening though. Can’t quite put my finger on it.. need to revisit and try other batches. 363 liters, 50.2%.
This has grown on me quite a bit since first opening it. There are some vegetal green candy notes with cinnamon and wood spice. The dry Kawinskii-ness of this mezcal is very present along with tart wood. Super approachable overall with a tangy tart finish.
