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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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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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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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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
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Mezcal Vago Coyote en Barro
Distiller Score 90
This spice-laden, feminine Coyote is bright and pungent, but delicate. The nose is unabashedly floral, featuring apple blossom, rose, and violet notes laced with cassia. Darker flavors emerge in the mouth such as apple peel, licorice root, and lava rock. The texture is palate-coating but not rich, with well-integrated alcohol and a persistent, vaguely metallic finish.
Reviewed by Duncan McRoberts
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Rey Campero Espadín Mezcal
Distiller Score 92
This is a surprisingly floral and delicate example of this type of mezcal, with aromas of lily of the valley, grapefruit rind and green pepper greeting the nose. The palate is light and fruity, with pineapple, ripe grapefruit, lime and vanilla. More floral flavors and hot chili spice play off each other to add a subtle accent to the finish with just a hint of charcoal smoke.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Rey Campero Cuishe Mezcal
Distiller Score 93
This expression is a meeting place of fire, fruit and earth. Tropical mango, papaya and pineapple blend with peach, habanero pepper, chive and honeysuckle. Beach bonfire-smoke swirls around this mixture, coaxing it into the tingly hot finish.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster