Del Maguey Chichicapa Mezcal

N: Agave (duh), tropical fruit and flowers, vanilla, something like cooked meat, dash of anise, fresh herbs. Lots going on, but it's subtle and takes some effort/patience to draw out. P: Sweet, earthy, dash of smoke, cooked vegetables. Later: cinnamon, mild chili pepper heat, something like a soft charred wood (although this is clearly not aged), caramel, and a mineral taste that almost gets to blood (no really), but stays just shy of that and is actually pleasant and interesting. F: Cooked jalapeno, cooked agave, vanilla, salted caramel, mint, herbal tea. This is only my second mezcal review - my experience is limited. But this was recommended to my by @Cornmuse over on the Discord. He hit it spot on that this is a nice, daily drinkable elevated mezcal (a little pricey for a true daily). I'll take his word for it on how mixes in cocktails, but I can imagine it brings plenty. This feels a bit hotter, leaning toward chili pepper, than other mezcals (or tequilas) I've had. I like that. (That's not referring to alcohol burn - I really didn't notice any of that.) On the whole, it's a tasty beverage. Worth grabbing a bottle every now and then. _______ Please come join an unofficial Distiller community on Discord: https://discord.gg/VSmCvzAQfH. We chat spirits (and other things) in real time while being a great resource to each other for recommendations, finding deals, and generally enjoying the journey together. (If the link is expired, please post a comment and I will provide a new one.)

Hints of sweet licorice on the nose with a very clean fresh vegetal note like snow peas underneath a layer of fine cold pine smoke. Smoked, slightly underripe pineapple and chilis waft in and out too. In time, queso fresco appears as well. The palate is sweet and smooth with quickly vanishing butterscotch notes, a pinch of cayenne pepper and lots of woodsmoke, a touch of licorice, and mineral. The body is soft and velvety, but not quite full bodied. It leaves a nice mist behind in the glass. On the finish it becomes much drier, with a lingering fruit sugar sweetness, perhaps yellow apple or pear, but much more vegetal and mineral like parsnips baked on hot slate over a rubber tire fire. A very enjoyable Mezcal to sip.

First time with any Mezcal. Interesting. Seems strong. Like the salt. Would like more oil.

Coming back to this after almost 2 weeks of not drinking, I can taste lots of smoke and other complex flavors like pineapple and other sweet stuff. Nice. Compared to Vida basic expression which also tastes much smokier than I remember but not much complexity there

Excellent mezcal. Nose hits you in the face with immediate notes of misquete and hickory smoke. Very smooth with some heat and anchovy taste. Finish lingers long after the last sip.