Del Maguey Minero Santa Catarina Minas Mezcal

Del Maguey Minero is a solid espadin mezcal. I think it may be a touch expensive, but it holds its own and is a nice step-up from Del Maguey Vida. The tough thing about this bottle is that while it can be used in cocktails, it's a bit expensive for that purpose, unfortunately it's also not a top notch mezcal neat so it hovers in the middle ground not being great in either instance. The nose has some smoke, but it's not as in your face as the Vida, with some wet clay notes. The palate has some lemon zest, while being somewhat sweet and creamy. It's actually pretty fruity. The finish is pretty long and has some mineral notes with very little burn. In comparison to the Vida, it's a solid drink neat, again though you can do better (Del Maguey Chichicapa for example runs circles around this). Overall, it's a solid espadin, but I think many will find it too boring to consider purchasing a whole bottle.

My first time trying mezcal. Really looking forward to this one. Nose is agave, vegetal, rubber, and lemon. Palate is an absolute fiesta. Savoury herbs, clay, and smoke along with the slightly sweet agave. Finish is warm, lengthy and tremendously complex. This is a completely new experience for me and just as mind blowing as the first time I tried an Islay single malt.

On the nose wet stone, rich cooked agave, smoke, bubblegum, bread, brine, roasted veggies, peaches, earth. On the palate sweet, smoke, mint, barbecued meat, spicy herbs, roasted agave, pine, and fruit, though I can’t really specify. Long finish; fruity and smooth with a touch of pepper.

Smoke forward and dry with a lingering herbal finish.

As the bottle opens strong earthy smoke takes over. The nose carries a raspberry yogurt note.

Mixed berries and agave nose. Bready agave. Rich, sweet and salty. Lingering bready note.