Del Maguey VIDA Mezcal

I can’t say enough good about this.

I took part in a Del Maguey tasting and this was first up. So, my first ever mezcal. Nose: smoke, paint thinner, byre, green, herbal, eucalyptus, Taste: oily, spirity, metallic, pine nut, white pepper Not a good start to the night. Too harsh and spirity. I had expected so much (too much, perhaps) from mezcal based on good reviews here and elsewhere, and the lovely stories of terroir and family-run, hand-crafted production.

I bought this hoping that the first mezcal I tasted was just an odd man out but I do not like the taste of mezcal. The first mezcal I tried was Marca Negra and I did not like it as it tasted like the agave was fermented in burning Goodyear tires it was that smoky and bad. On the advice of a friend, I bought Del Maguey Vida as he said that is a good intro to mezcal so I found a bottle on sale for around $22 and picked it up. In the glass, it is very clear and coats the glass nicely. On the nose, there is a distinct smokiness and earthiness very similar to the Marca Negra but far more subdued and that is a good thing for me. The body is still burning tires but much smaller ones and maybe out in a field and not in a building where the smoke can concentrate. It does have earthy notes like a freshly plowed field it lets you know it is there. The finish is just more smoke and sadness. I really do not like mezcal sam I am. If this is your cup of tea then have at it but none of the flavors worked for me.

Okay but there is a better one for about the same price.