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Del Maguey VIDA Mezcal
Distiller Score 84
The nose opens with the expected smoke, follows with roasted agave, tobacco, and well-worn (and recently ridden) saddle leather, and finishes with a hit of white pepper. On the palate the smoke is initially veiled by roasted fruit (think grilled grapefruit brushed with brown sugar and orange juice), cinnamon spice and hint of salinity underpinned by a welcome oiliness. The smoke and tobacco return for an after-dinner cigar on the finish.
Reviewed by Ron Bechtol
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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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Pelotón de la Muerte Criollo
Distiller Score 81
Green apples and pears lead off on the nose, along with peppery arugula and raw honey. The palate roars open with some heat and a bit of diesel, with notes of vanilla beans, anise and allspice, and an herbal and vegetal side of sage, basil, and celery. The finish offers agave syrup and slightly bitter burnt caramel, with cacao, sticky dried fruits, asphalt, and rubber.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Mezcal Mala Idea Tobalá Silvestre
Distiller Score 78
Tobalá can be challenging in its approach and this one is especially so, with an intensely bitter and earthy character. The only detectable sweetness comes in the form of its barbecue-like smoke, but otherwise it's all bitter grapefruit, green pepper, olives and pine. There's quite a lot of alcoholic heat in the finish which could have used a cleaner dismount.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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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