Chichicapa!

[MilesDavis]

Originally Posted by totallytequila

There may even be other labels that are out there that I have yet to try. Maybe someone else has some suggestions?

El Zacatecano has a more tequila-like flavor with just a hint of smoke, and Scorpion 3 year anejo is a little more intense and smoky yet. But still not as intense as Chichicapa.
Minero is just a touch less intense and a little sweeter, too. My current favorite.

[thickframes]

Originally Posted by 1tequila2

This is my second time trying Chichicapa. Tonight I poured a big glass and I'm slowly sipping my way through this Mezcal. I'm just finding a level of indefinable smokiness that's hard for me to appreciate. It's like a smoldering damp ashes, exotic wood, in the ground pit fire... sort of... full on smell and flavor. The taste definitely matches the nose. I'm trying not to focus on the smoke and find other elements of this unique spirit to enjoy, and I am finding them. It's got so much going on it's hard for me to figure out exactly what I'm liking and not liking about it. Everything else seems kinda mild next to it. Maybe with time it will grow on me somewhat. This spirit is difficult for me to pin down. It's not much like tequila, and I guess that's the point.

I'm a newbie to Mezcal myself but so far the DM brand seems to have the more craft distilled taste out there. Check out this video and tell me you don't want to drool - YouTube - Mezcal

And I don't work for them, but that's my opinion. I've had Scorpion and Los Danzantes and I like them too, but just not as much. The Scorpion 1 year is far from mature and the Danzantes isn't well balanced.

[nin1318]

i ordered a bottle of this and i must say it is pretty wonderful.

the aroma and strength of this mezcal is very powerful when drinking out of a bowled glass like a snifter or wine glass. it's like it is concentrated.

i shared some with a friend and he was highly impressed...we sipped it out of the little clay cups that came with it and i think that made it a little easier to take the intense smokiness.

i also found that adding a little of this stuff to a margarita adds a nice touch.

overall i'm very happy with this. the only mezcal i have tried before is monte alban and del maguey santo domingo, so i don't have a lot of experience with them, but i am now a big fan of this brand.

[jdjohn84]

This stuff will take some getting used to. I bought a bottle ($70) based on all the glowing reviews, but I find the product a little harsh. Maybe it's the 47.9% alcohol content, or maybe it's the intense smokiness. I actually have trouble tasting the smokiness through the strong alcohol taste. I guess I was expecting more agave flavor.

I'm not sure I can sip a lot of it in one sitting without a chaser on the side. No doubt it warms the insides and would give a great buzz. I feel the need to shoot it, but I know that would be wrong.

[jdjohn84]

Trust me, at $70/bottle, I'm not giving up! I probably just need to sip on a good, stout pour, and allow the numbing to kick in, and maybe have a Tecate on the side to sip on with it. From my research, the extra smokiness (compared to tequila) comes from roasting the maguey pinas in earthen pots in fire pits, whereas when tequila is made (I think) the agave pinas are normally steamed, or least not charred as with mezcal. Please feel free to correct me on that.

[*45*]

Originally Posted by jdjohn84

Trust me, at $70/bottle, I'm not giving up! I probably just need to sip on a good, stout pour, and allow the numbing to kick in, and maybe have a Tecate on the side to sip on with it. From my research, the extra smokiness (compared to tequila) comes from roasting the maguey pinas in earthen pots in fire pits, whereas when tequila is made (I think) the agave pinas are normally steamed, or least not charred as with mezcal. Please feel free to correct me on that.

well, it may take time and experience with many other tequilas before mezcal is a hit with your palate. then again, you may never dig it, as traditional mezcal is not for everybody. I took some DM Minero for the family christmas dinner, and while everyone was commenting on the smoke, I was picking up on the cooked banana, earth , tart lemon and butter. I also had them taste some still-fresh blanco @ 55%, and they thought the tequila as easier to take than the Minero @ 49%.