I primarily indulge in Islay single malts to get my smoke fix. However, when I read the reviews of the Del Maguey Chichicapa I knew I had to give this juice a try. Having only had really bad mezcal in college, which was more than 15 years ago, I was prepared to be disappointed. I had no idea mezcal could be this good. Chichicapa is absolutely fantastic! The nose is full of beautiful smoke, pickled green beans, lime, pine, ash, dirt, vinegar and iodine. The pickled green beans and vinegar took me back to my childhood, reminding me of a three bean salad (served cold) that my mom would make in the summer. This mezcal initially hits the palate with a very soft entry, but flavors of smoke, mild chile pepper, pickled green beans, a strong mineral note and lime quickly bloom in all their glory. The finish is long, warm and complex. As the smoke and pickled green beans fade, you are left with the mineral note, vinegar and lime, in addition to tamarind, ash and a hint of mushroom. When it's all said and done a clean (and slightly dry) mineral flavor remains. From the nose to the finish and all points in between Chichicapa earns 5 stars all day long.