Los Vecinos del Campo Espadin Mezcal

I'm giving Mezcal another shot. The first one I tried really wasn't awesome. That said, I've heard a lot of favorable hubbub about Los Veinos Del Campo so I thought I'd give the segment another try. The nose is almost completely overrun by smoke. This time, it doesn't smell of burning kindling but rather a savory, meaty smoke. Like a lean Tri Tip over a low and slow smoke. Also getting faint tropical fruit - think: pineapple. All mixed with cracked black pepper. The palate starts with sweeter pineapple and peach but quickly the smoked character fills your mouth. Like a slow smoker filled with tri tip and brisket. Roughly midway through the taste, that familiar cut grass vegetal agave, and spicy black pepper come rushing in: hitting the middle of your tongue. The finish is dry and spicy. Agave stays consistent in the background of the finish but taking center stage is tongue tingling black pepper. There's a tannic hardwood twang to the finish, too as well as the slowly fading smoke that was found in abundance on the palate. I'm sure this is great for a Mezcal. But something about it doesn't quite appeal to me and I think its the fact that I am such a die hard Whisk(e)y drinker that inherently, I'm searching for sweeter flavors to go with this smoke and there aren't many. It's definitely drinkable. But I'd take a heavenly Extra Anejo any day of the week over this, for neat sipping.

Best bang for buck mezcal imho

Hard to sip but would be good in a margarita

Body odor, skunk butt

Exceptionally briney. I’d put this higher than the Ilegal Joven but not quite as good as the Chichicappa.