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Mezcales de Leyenda Durango
Distiller Score 90
This is a deliciously approachable mezcal with inviting aromas of sandalwood, warm earth, and salted melon. Not smokey — the palate has fantastic weight and delicious flavors of sweet corn, yellow bell peppers, and candied plums. The finish has a warming wave of habanero pepper that washes the sweet tones away and lingers admirably.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Miel de Tierra Añejo
Distiller Score 89
Although hints of agave spice penetrate the decadent nose of creme brûlées and acacia honey, the palate of this luxurious mezcal is a tour-de-force of fresh pastry and golden raisin tones. A true hedonist’s take on agave that betrays no smoke or mesquite flavors and only a trickle of cinnamon candy on the tongue. The oak tones are pleasant and well incorporated, but unfortunately at the sacrifice of any of agave’s more exotic flavors.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Kimo Sabe Mezcal Añejo: Azoth
Distiller Score 79
This mezcal pours an inviting golden color and the nose shows peppery agave elements with a backdrop of vanilla custard and baked honey. Conspicuously missing are any smoky or earthy tones. The palate is rich and extremely round with hardly a sharp edge until the finish where the plant’s telltale spice finds a way to make itself heard. A very easy drinking mezcal that certainly appeals to the aged whiskey/tequila drinker, but at a sacrifice to the categories rustic charms.
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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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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Agave de Cortés Reposado Mezcal
Distiller Score 84
Despite its short time aging in cask, the Agaves de Cortez reposado displays heavy oak influence. On the nose: butterscotch, banana, rubber, and just a hint of agave. The palate mirrors the nose with just a little more spice. Overall this mezcal is solid. With a rich texture and a moderate amount of smoke.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Miel de Tierra Reposado
Distiller Score 88
The eponymous flavors of earth and honey are deftly framed from a sweet, vanilla bean tone of fresh oak on this agave’s lush nose. The palate has medium-plus weight and a nice complexity that shows gentle cinnamon spice, sweet clover, and a pleasant finish of earthy and mineral characters. The almost complete lack of smoke may be jarring to some fans of the category, but for Cognac and whiskey drinkers this would be a welcome introduction to mezcal.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Espíritu Lauro Reposado Mezcal
Distiller Score 93
Espíritu Lauro Reposado Mezcal is much creamier and rich than the joven, with deep caramel and vanilla flavors. Tropical fruits bind everything together ending in sweet, smoked meat smoke, subtle, warm spices and a refreshing spearmint finish. This mezcal definitely shows elegant complexity and finesse, intriguing the palate with each sip.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Miel de Tierra Joven Agave Salmiana
Distiller Score 92
The wild and sophisticated nose of this mezcal doesn’t feature smoke, but has loads of delicious exotic cinnamon spice and ripe mango the fruit. The palate continues with clean flavors and a doubling down of delightful spice. The lack of smoke gives the wild agave plenty of opportunity to take center stage and its pungent flavors are felt resonating in the gently sweet and mineral finish.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Miel De Tierra Joven
Distiller Score 84
A faint whiff of smoke quickly recedes to more refined flavors of baked pineapple, raw pepper, and a light, hint of vanilla in this gentle mezcal. The palate has more sweetness and skews to fresh flavors of dry earth and butterscotch pudding as opposed to mesquite and brash mineral. Fans of the bold, unbridled flavors of Oaxaca should take a pass, but fans of tequila looking to dip their toes into the mezcal category will find much to like.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Mezcal Alipús San Baltazar
Distiller Score 90
The nose is not so much smoky, but ashy with the high elevation seeming to render a subtle style of mezcal here with other aromas like Meyer lemon, white flowers, and salt. The palate brings to mind a myriad of flavors including watermelon Jolly Rancher candies, rosemary, and cough medicine, but this all comes across clean and fresh with a slightly chewy texture. The exotic nature of this mezcal is alluring, but with its medicinal candied quality it can be confusing to enjoy.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Mezcal Marqués Reposado
Distiller Score 86
This dry and toasty mezcal has flavors reminiscent of buttery popcorn. The time in oak lends a sweet spice and burnt caramel notes that compliment the inherent peppery qualities of the distillate. The finish is smooth and spicy, with only a touch of smoke.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster