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Mezcales de Leyenda Puebla
Distiller Score 95
A light campfire smoke marries fantastically with dulce de leche and apple cake aromas in this spirit's fantastic nose. The palate shows more dry and mineral flavors with a blast of sea salt and brined lemon that carry a delicious savory character. The finish has a pleasant spice note and lingering mango fruit flavors. A very complex sipping mezcal.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Don Amado Añejo Mezcal
Distiller Score 96
This is truly a regal take on what many consider to be a rustic product. There are savory, mesquite aromas that hint at a backyard barbecue and toasted cayenne pepper, but these flavors flow deftly between layers of succulent tones of baked stone fruit from the strong brandy barrel influence. The palate continues in similar form with with notes of grilled pineapple and finish with a bright saline minerality for a long, refreshing coda. Don Amado Añejo Mezcal shows amazing complexity beyond smoke and is a great example of how barrel flavors can complement rather than mask agave’s wild charms.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Del Maguey Tepextate Mezcal
Distiller Score 92
The nose is a bit unexpected with a blast of anise supported with lemon and black pepper. Its taste is a bit more typical (but certainly not boring) with vibrant notes of guava, Meyer lemon zest, and hint of fresh mint. It is vibrant, refreshing and profoundly crowd pleasing.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Mezcales de Leyenda San Luis Potosí
Distiller Score 93
This fabulous spirit has a complex nose of celery salt, seawater, and tangerine zest. Far from a smoke bomb, this spirit captures an elegant and pure style of mezcal. The mineral flavors provide an excellent framework for tones of grilled pineapple and toasted jalapeño. The finish has a bit of heat but lots of sweet fruit. Very good sipping mezcal.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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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
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Los Vecinos del Campo Tobalá Mezcal
Distiller Score 89
On the nose this mezcal has a rich and sweet roasted agave aroma with hints of grapefruit rind and salinity. It's flavor is rich, with rounded notes of sweet, barbecued tropical fruits and a palate-tingling spice. Very easy to sip.
Reviewed by Anna Archibald
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Del Maguey San Jose Rio Minas Mezcal
Distiller Score 93
This is a very fruit-driven style of mezcal; pineapples jump out of the glass and right into your nose. White flowers, sheet rock, white pepper, and candied orange accented with the savoriness of smoked meats follow. These aromas follow suit on the palate along with melon, beeswax, and pine. This is a very lush and chewy mezcal.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Koch el Mezcal Tobalá
Distiller Score 92
The first thing you'll notice is the aroma of the ocean air appropriately followed by coconut milk, hazelnut, celery, and star fruit. Oregano soon follows with Thai basil, cedar, and roasted pineapple. As you taste, even more flavors and it is here that the slight smoke notes come through with notes of ash. Cedar and clay join the fruit party along with walnuts and cocoa nibs which leave a slight bitterness on the finish. This is not to be missed.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Fidencio Pechuga Mezcal
Distiller Score 89
You can really smell the fruits used in this pechuga, the guava and pineapple being the most prominent. It all culminates on the palate in an oddly gin-like profile with the addition of white flower and pine notes. The celebration of the harvest really shines in this mezcal.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Koch el Mezcal Barril
Distiller Score 89
A little less herbaceous than expected but it does possess that the deep punchiness typically associated with barril. Very big on the nose with notes of Concord grapes, lemon, magic marker, anise, banana, and fresh peaches. On the palate bold notes of cherry and red apple make an appearance, but the mezcal finishes dry, with a long, lingering essence of pinecone. Overall the flavor is blunt, but very well-balanced.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Marca Negra Tobalá Mezcal
Distiller Score 93
Like all good tobalá mezcals it is rich, briny and sweet. The nose is loaded with caramel, mustard, saltwater, walnut shells, mustard, and a hint of apple cider vinegar. It has a rich, decadent body and displays a myriad of flavors such as brown sugar, lemon pith, caramel, strawberries, and chalk and grape skins. It leave a slight tannic drying sensation on the sides of the mouth but is all-in-all quite alluring.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Don Amado Pechuga Mezcal
Distiller Score 94
The aromas explode with displays of fruit, clove, cinnamon, AGAVE, walnuts, and a host of other subtleties. The flavors are impeccably distributed and balanced. Every aspect of your palate experiences a different flavor and every sip shows something new. This is a highly-sippable, complex and yet humbly approachable mezcal with a depth of surprises to enjoy.
Reviewed by Forrest Cokely