A cold, snowy day like today inspires me to reflect on my last sunny trip to Mexico. This is also a day that my employer is encouraging us to be creative, so I've signed up for a painting class. What better way to marry these two themes than by pouring from the green, peach, orange and red labeled bottle of Del Maguey Chichicapa Mezcal (lot CHI-194). Del Maguey was founded in the 90s by Ron Cooper, a visual artist themself. With my first whiff, there's slight rubber, gasoline, smoke and tangy acidity like lime. After it sits, "charred grapefruit" is the best way I can articulate its pronounced burn and quiet citrus sweetness. As I go back for a final nosing, I smell additional herbaceousness and refreshing mint. A juicy, savory and sweet agave sip is met by a fashionably delayed peppery flare. I feel the spice in my nose and it gives me a shiver through my body. The pepper provides a bitterness and brief metallic flavour that transitions to a very long, lightly drying, indefinite smoky finish. I can taste woodiness, tobacco and minerality on my palate, too. When I close my eyes at this moment, I can feel a soothing arm around me, holding snugly.  As strange as it sounds for a tasting, I enjoy its finish best. That said, Del Maguey Chichicapa is a unique, full-bodied mezcal that holds a lot of character. I recommend letting this pour breathe and taking your time with it. I'd think that if you enjoy a smoke-forward Islay scotch, this might suit your taste for something "outside the lines". As for me, it absolutely fulfilled its duty to break me out of today's winter blues. 7.75/10