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El Jolgorio Espadín Mezcal
Distiller Score 94
Like many espadín mezcals, the El Jolgorio is approachable, starting with an herbaceous nose of roasted agave and mint. The bright, savory palate has notes of citrus, basil, oregano and rosemary. The warm and lingering finish continues with smoke, agave and minerality.
Reviewed by Daniel Djang
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Mezcal Vago Cuixe
Distiller Score 92
Beef jerky and cigarette smoke? The sheer vividness and novelty of these aromas warrant attention. Nosing this brings to mind a few peated scotches, but one sip leaves no doubt you are tasting an agave spirit. The palate is woodsy, vibrant and complex, the alcohol well-integrated, and the finish long and flavorful, but the dark, austere, almost brutal flavor profile means this isn't exactly the easiest-drinking spirit out there.
Reviewed by Duncan McRoberts
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Del Maguey Arroqueño Mezcal
Distiller Score 98
The nose and palate display very disparate characteristics but only work to enhance the depth and complexity of this experience. The aromas are dominated by roasted corn, black pepper, salt, dried chilies, fresh-cut foliage and subtle baking spices, specifically Ceylon cinnamon. Mouthwatering on the palate, the mezcal is extremely high-toned, dominated by Kaffir lime and other citrus, cedar, and fresh-cut agave blades. Overall, a brilliantly seductive mezcal with rich body and a long deep finish.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Real Minero Barril Mezcal
Distiller Score 96
The natural characteristics of the agave play brilliantly with the flavors of the clay. It is lush with aromas of grass, cucumber, celery, and fresh pear. The palate offers another dimension with smoked meat, ripe plantain, dried papaya, and a deep clay note in the mid-palate. The intensity of this mezcal might catch you off guard but it quickly lulls you with stellar complexity and balance.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Mezcal Vago Tobalá
Distiller Score 95
Warm but fresh; masculine but delicate, this is just a joy to smell and to drink. Cool, leafy aromatics of wintergreen, aloe, and green peppercorns begin your journey. Next, the green hues fade to black on the palate with plenty of tar, black pepper, wood smoke, and candle wax. The slightest undercurrent of pear and melon keeps things fresh and dynamic. Quite classy and refined.
Reviewed by Duncan McRoberts
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Mezcal Marca Negra Dobadán
Distiller Score 93
Notes of agave, white pepper, grapefruit peel and green pepper appear on the nose. On the palate, this enters surprisingly mild, with a soft agave and piloncillo sugar note, with a touch of white pepper and molasses. It then erupts into a haze of herbal smoke, with cooked ancho chile, bitter herbs, and lemon peel before finishing with a medicinal, lozenge-like note. If a shaman's house burned down, this is what the air would likely smell like. This is a complex and challenging mezcal, yet one that delivers flavor in spades.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
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Ilegal Mezcal Añejo
Distiller Score 94
Each expression of Ilegal tastes of a smoky music club, with strong vegetal funk and earthy bass notes. This more mature version adds a touch of honeyed sweetness, and the smokiness also starts to veer toward the toasty sweet side, heading close to vanilla and milk chocolate territory. A salty undertone keeps it fresh.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Wahaka Mezcal Joven Ensamble
Distiller Score 94
The nose is unmistakably Tobalá - distinctively herbaceous and floral. The volcanic terrain of the Madre Cuishe offers earthiness and minerality on the full-bodied palate, along with citrus and pepper notes. The Espadín ties it all together with an underpinning of agave and light smoke that carries through on the long finish.
Reviewed by Daniel Djang
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Koch el Mezcal Tobasiche
Distiller Score 92
Somehow both fresh and rustic, the nose is broad and herbaceous with ginkgo nuts, lettuce, grilled meat and charred rosemary. Dates and sweet grass also come to mind along with latex paint. The palate leaves a similar impression with but also has flavors of lime pith, papaya, and oregano. It drinks like a meal with its meaty and herbaceous profile with just enough fruit on the finish to keep it interesting.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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El Jolgorio Barril Mezcal
Distiller Score 88
The nose here is unusually spicy and savory with bready notes of caraway, cumin, “curry”, mustard and a subtle herbal backbone. The flavors follow suit for the most part but does veer off a little just to keep things interesting. There is even more bread and caraway along with oregano, bergamot, an interesting saké like note followed by a burst of pure smoke on finish. The body is fairly rich and while quite enjoyable, it is more of an intellectual study in mezcal than a weekday quaffer.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Wahaka Mezcal Joven Madre Cuishe
Distiller Score 95
Fruity and herbaceous on the nose, with lime and agave notes standing out. There is a noticeable minerality, umami and earthiness as well as notes of white pepper and grilled pineapple which the warmer temperatures and drier conditions of the volcanic terrain seem to have brought out in the mezcal. The dry, medium finish shows hints of grass and citrus.
Reviewed by Daniel Djang
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El Jolgorio Tobalá Mezcal
Distiller Score 96
The nose on this tobalá smells of bubblegum, agave mash, pine, and lemon zest. The palate is surprisingly fresh and precise. The textbook tobalá brine is front and center followed by taffy, cedar, Smarties candy, finger bananas and ash. The flavor combination is unexpected but they strike an intriguing balance.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat