The Best Aged Mezcals

Contraluz Cristalino Mezcal is a brand under the umbrella of global spirits company Casa Lumbre, known for other spirits such as Montelobos Mezcal, Abosolo Corn Whisky and Ancho Reyes Chili Liqueurs. Made from 100% cultivated espadin agave, this mezcal is aged in select US whiskey barrels for around six months. Then it undergoes a small batch filtration process to remove its color. While there have been several Cristalino Tequilas released in recent years, Casa Lumbre was the first to produce a Cristalino Mezcal and with this July 2022 release, it's the first one in the US. Other global markets are expected to follow in 2023. (SRP $59.99)

This mezcal, produced in Tlacolula, Oaxaca, is the "reposado" or "rested" version of Mezcal Sacrificio. Its production begins with the harvesting of 8 to 10 year old agave espadín. After being roasted two days in mesquite and ocote pine wood-fire ovens, the agave hearts are crushed through traditional harvest processes to obtain the agave juice. The agave juice is then distilled twice - first with a steel still, and then with a copper still. The mezcal is then aged three months is Mexican white oak casks previously used to mature brandy. This mezcal is bottled at 40% ABV.

The Reposado con Gusano is a unique release in the Wahaka Mezcal range. It’s the only aged mezcal in the line, starting as the Joven Espadín and rested from four to six months in re-charred American oak barrels. Additionally, it’s also the only Wahaka expression with the infamous gusano (worm), which the brand touts as “clarifying the radicals of the barrel” and purportedly has healing and aphrodisiac properties.

This expression is made from 100% Espadín agave from Tlacolula, Oaxaca. It is matured 3 months in American oak.

Los Amantes sources espadín agaves from a small consortium of small village palenques throughout Oaxaca. The brand uses traditional methods in mezcal production including a stone tahona to crush the cooked agaves. This reposado spends up to 8 months in clay and new American oak. Los Amantes translates to "The Lovers" and is named for the ancient Aztec legend of Mayahuel, the goddess of the maguey plant and fertility.

Ilegal mezcal starts with 100% espadín agave grown in the fields of Tlacolula, Mexico and harvested at nearly 10 years of age. Their piñas are roasted for 5-7 days in an earthen pit lined with river stones then the cooked agaves are crushed using a horse-drawn tahona. After natural fermentation, it is distilled once in stainless-steel alembic stills and then again in copper alembic. The reposado is aged 6 months in a combination of new and used American oak with a medium char. (SRP $57.99)

Gracias a Dios is committed to fair trade and sustainable practices, under the leadership of maestro mezcalero Oscar Hernández Santiago. The organic espadín is 8 years old at harvest and undergoes double-distillation. The spirit spends 4 months in ex-bourbon casks.

Don Amado Reposado steps away from tradition and embraces international techniques. This mezcal begins using very traditional means. Agave grown in volcanic soil in the town of Minero, roasted in underground pits, and distilled in small clay-stills. It is then aged in American oak casks that previously held Pedro Domecq brandy.

Don Amado is a heritage distillery citing 11 generations of mezcal production in Mexico’s Oaxaca region. The agave hearts are gently roasted in the earth before being double distilled in traditional ceramic bamboo pots. Perhaps most notable is that the resulting spirit spends 18 months in ex-Pedro Domecq brandy casks — the producer of Mexico’s most celebrated brandy and an incredibly popular brand nationally.

Ilegal Mezcal started as a spirit that was smuggled from Mexico to Guatemala by John Rexer and shared among friends at a tiny bar called Café No Sé. The (now perfectly legit) Añejo is a 100% agave mezcal. It is double-distilled from espadín agave and aged for 13 months in a combination of new and used American oak with a medium char. Each bottle is hand corked, labeled and numbered. (SRP $97.99)