Del Maguey VIDA Mezcal

Smoke, agave, citrus, salt, rotten fruit, rubber, earthy compost, off white wine, hardware store, acetone, oil rag, Mexican ranch, apple cider vinegar on the nose. Nose reminiscent of Islay whiskey. Peppery, hardware store, pine, sweet smoked BBQ meat. Smells and tastes like a nostalgic trip to Bunnings: potting mix and concrete floors and industrial tools.

It doesn't have much of a smell to it, but there is a bit of a meaty backing going on that hints at its richness. The palate is impressively smooth and has a nice umami backing it. There's a lot of smoke of course, but it is under control. There are some prickly notes of Sichuan peppercorns, but they are slight and in the middle of what is generally smooth richness. There are plenty of Earth and herbal flavors, but they are in balance. The dry mint backing is under control too. There are some tart fruity notes like mellow grapefruit lime and raw pineapple. It's quite oily and the finish is mellow. There is enough richness, but it is not a defining quality. It might be a bit too mellow, but the flavor is good. It's a good introduction to mezcal with quite a bit going on if you're paying attention. Nothing is particularly amazing, but it's a solid sipper. Mezcal is pretty expensive, so for the price this is a great deal. The fact that there are no off flavors is really impressive and the savory finish with notes of spice and some bits of toffee sweetness is really nice. This could be considered a mezcal for novices, though it might not be a mezcal for those who don't like mezcal.

Light smoke yet not overpowering. Smooth and flavorful. Enough taste to stand up in a cocktail.