Del Maguey Chichicapa Mezcal

This really is something sublime. Of the dozen or so mezcals I've tried its the most balanced, complex, refined, and contemplative. Now if only I could afford to drink this everyday ;)

Mezcal selections are pretty limited in the spirits stores I frequent, and except for one brand that contained an unappealing drowned scorpion, they are too pricey to prompt any experimentation, without some idea of what to expect. But thanks to Pranay's generosity, I have once again been able to try something I otherwise would have missed out on. Going by its clear, uncolored appearance, I was not prepared for the smokey nose that greeted my pour. The liquid coated the glass with abundant pearl-drop legs. In addition to the smoke, I inhaled an earthy, vegetal and slightly piney fragrance. On tasting it, I experienced a salty, smokey, mushroom earthiness, with additional notes of toast, cucumber and iodine. The salt and smoke coated my tongue during the relatively quick finish, trailing off with the last wisps of smoke. The addition of water did not change this up much except to open up a very slight sweetness. The dry glass smelled pleasantly of an earthy smoked gouda. Thanks so much Pranay! Mezcal is now on my "must get some" list.

I finally opened up a new bottle from my stash last night. After having Whiskey every weekend for weeks, was in the mood for something totally different, and this delivered faultlessly. Mezcal is unique...it's distilled from agave plants, but the distillation technique sets it apart from tequila. The difference shows in terms of a crisper, grassier flavor with a strong smoke profile. And these small village micro-craft distilleries produce it organic, natural fermentation (no yeast), and nothing added except the agave , local water, and intense sun. The smokiness here isn't the same as Islay or Islanders, where the peat is blasted constantly by salt and wind. This is the smokiness you get from heat. More like ground charcoals. The flavor profile is grassy, charcoal smoky, with some sweetness from the variety of agave. Highly recommended as a departure from whiskey, something equally good but different.