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Scorpion Mezcal Reposado
Distiller Score 88
The bouquet is elegant, with gentle oak, vanilla and cooked agave notes along with a bit of white pepper, canned peach, and jasmine. On the palate, a big wave of smoke comes first, crashing onto the palate, As the smoke clears, cooked agave, white pepper, oak and cinnamon appear before a finish that features a vegetal, chile pepper-note, along with a bit of campfire smoke, a slight earthiness and more cooked agave.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
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Mezcal Alipús San Andres
Distiller Score 91
The smoked notes hover over cooked vegetables, earthy mushroom, and sweet tobacco aromas. A sweet and fruity note is found among it all. The body isn't rich but there's a touch of an oily quality to the mouth-feel. The roasted smoke notes come through fairly strong while some cherry fruit greets you on the finish.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Bosscal Joven Mezcal
Distiller Score 89
The nose offers orange blossom water and phenolics in the range of asphalt and rubber tires, as well as citrus zest. The palate is herbal, with sage and epazote, along with charbroiled meats and toffee. The finish is moderate in length, showcasing cigar smoke, tart lemonade, clay soil, and salted pretzels.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Wahaka Mezcal Espadín
Distiller Score 91
The crisp, clean nose opens up with smoke and vegetal notes. The creamy palate starts with pepper and holiday spices, as well as leather, agave notes and hints of dried fruit, before giving way to a savory and smoky back-end. The warm and lingering finish offers notes of vanilla, pepper and more smoke.
Reviewed by Daniel Djang
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Alacrán Joven Mezcal
Distiller Score 87
The Scorpion announces its presence warily with some smoke, hints of cured meat and whiffs of tobacco, encouraging one to approach. On the palate, sensations become sharper: a bite of woody smoke, amplified by dried citrus peel and Mexican oregano. Having done its deed, the stinger withdraws to allow for a banked-heat finish that is unexpectedly (and deceptively) pretty.
Reviewed by Ron Bechtol
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Cráneo Organic Mezcal
Distiller Score 88
A mixture of sweet, roasted agave and smoke greet you on the nose. The roasted quality continues with further trips to the glass with the aromas leading to roast vegetables and ancho chilies. The mezcal is round and soft on the palate with the savory quality continuing on the finish. The finish is tart and gently smoky. One to sip and savor rather than mix.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Mezcal Pierde Almas La Puritita Verda
Distiller Score 88
The nose is floral and smoky, with subtle leather and vegetal notes. On the chewy and meaty palate, there’s roasted agave and dried fruit with a light smoke. The finish is long with more agave, licorice and slight smoke.
Reviewed by Daniel Djang
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Del Maguey VIDA Puebla
Distiller Score 85
The mezcal has a strong aroma of clay, cooked vegetables, and earthy notes topped with a bright tropical fruit note and a moderate amount of smoke. You can find a light amount of sweet cooked agave there as well. The body is on medium light and has a tangy mid palate. Upon exhaling, you have a puff of smoke and more clay and earthy notes coming through. Finish length is average. Not really intended as a sipper, but it's perfectly fine to drink neat or alongside a cold beer.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Mezcal El Silencio Espadín
Distiller Score 87
There's definitely a little mustiness to this mezcal with some earthy clay notes, moderate smoke, and fresh green herbs. There's also a metallic tinge floating around. The palate is much like the aroma with no discernable fruit and little sweetness. If you fear the funk, best to use this mezcal in cocktails rather than for sipping, but if that is something you can embrace, by all means, sip away.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Don Amado Joven Rustico Mezcal
Distiller Score 89
The influence of the clay still is quite prevalent on the nose with aromatics leaning towards ash, crushed walnuts, roasted corn, and savory spices. The subtle flavor of the terra cotta pervades the palate which is well balanced against the caramel, butterscotch, and fresh herbs found.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Koch el Mezcal Espadín
Distiller Score 88
This is textbook espadín on the nose with notes of wool, pecan shells, freshly-cut grass, campfire smoke, and slightly under-ripe pineapple. It becomes a bit punchier on the palate with peanut brittle, more assertive pine, and plantain (both fresh and fried). Other flavors such as caramel, lemon seed, concord grapes, and white pepper follow suit. This espadín has a good amount of smoke, but does not overwhelm and has just enough sweetness on the front and mid-palate, but finishes fairly dry. A great mezcal that can seamlessly transition from being mixed in cocktails to being sipped neat or on the rocks.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Fidencio Clásico Mezcal
Distiller Score 89
A simple and quaint mezcal. It does not roar, it does not whisper. It is pleasing to the palate but it does not aspire to steal the show. The nose is earthy and rustic with such notes as wet soil, lemon and black pepper. The taste is constant; bright with lime, cinnamon, moderate smoke and mild tropical fruit notes. A compelling entry-level mezcal, suitable for novices and connoisseurs alike.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat