Day 18 advent calendar. Tried neat. Ilegals joven has always been one of my go to and affordable mezcals so I was excited to see this on the advent calendar. I continue to have a hard time pulling different notes from mezcals vs the multiple notes of bourbons. I do get weak oak on the nose and it’s smoky, but not quite as smoky as the joven is. It’s initially smooth on the palate before a hot finish. Mild smoke on the palate, leaving me wanting mas smoke. Overall, mostly one dimensional Added 2 small ice cubes to see if it would open up the mezcal and I honestly think it made it more bland however, I do get some vanilla on the nose after the ice was added, not on the palate. I’m a bit disappointed in this mezcal that I had high expectations for. I’m just going to have to come back to it another day and give it another try. Sometimes it’s just the palate… yep, I’m blaming it on my palate tonight ha. For now, I’ll stick to the joven which I enjoy more!