Ever heard of/tasted JARAL DE BERRIO?

[wichie13]

A new import at LCBO for $37 thinking about trying it anyone ever heard of it or try it? They use the Salmiana Agave(wild)

[img width=345 height=485]http://www.dipbot.unict.it/orto/0019a.jpg[/img]

http://www.jaraldeberrio.com/

[MrAgave]

I've never seen that brand before. Tough call with Mezcals that someone hasn't already rated, but since they have a web site I would take the chance that they have a product worth sampling.

[wichie13]

Well I took a chance on this one and I'm not so sure about it. The verdict isn't in yet but this one might be going back as a "bad" bottle.

On the nose I get a vegital, olive oil/smoked dill.
Taste is thin vegital olive oil with a very slight bitter finish(fennel)

I don't have allot of experience with mezcal as opposed to Tequila, but i have a few bottles of DM and tasted the whole line of DMSV as well I have tasted all of the scorpion line except the 5/7 year. None of them tasted like this. Maybe its the wierd wild agave they use...... ?

[MrAgave]

So compared with DM or Scorpion, taste is way off from either of those?

I went to a mezcal tasting last year, and tried 12+ and there are definitely some unique tastes, some enjoyable, some not.

METL is another brand that is pretty good, El Senorio is ok, but it is tough to beat DM, Scorpion, and Los Danzantes. Wait until you try the Scorpion 5 year, I prefer it over the 7.

[Berriogirl]

I know Jaral de Berrio Mezcal and am surprised at the tasting accounts presented...which product is it that the LCBO is carrying? The Jaral de Berrio Tradicion is a beautifully smooth mezcal with almost a perception of sweetness, probably from the mocha aromas of coffee bean sacks and bitter chocolate. This producer has a 240 yr history/tradition and as far as I know are the only certified Mezcal from Guanajuato.

[PRJack]

Hi there, New-B to the board, but long time Tequila & Mezcal fan.

I've had JdB mezcal and I quite like it. But a couple of things have to be realized. It isn't a "deep" mezcal. Quite the contrary. I would say that its best feature is that it is very, very light on the palate without being tasteless.

As with any 'tasting' not everyone will experience the same sensations... such is the conundrum of any subjective endeavour (as some will see when I weigh in on Sotol!).

While I won't disagree with any other taster's palate, my experience with this product was considerably different.

I noted subtle grassy or lightly herbaceous flavours along with hints of vanilla and/or pepper (the difference likely owing to what I was eating at the time!). What was really nice about this product was the lack of an 'edge'. Now that's not always something you look for, but in this case it works.

The other significant thing in its favour is its price!! You just can't go wrong as it is a far more complete drink than any 'typical' bar tequila for a fraction of the price. So while it's nice enough on its own, you don't mind making hand shaken margaritas with it!

[wichie13]

Thanks for your input Jack, I am going to give this one another try but I don't think my palate has been in the mood lately. Could just be me but it was not what I expected fom a mezcal and maybe thats the problem. I spoke online to a Tequila bar owner in Toronto and he said it is selling really well in his bar. Maybe thats the thing as Mezcal is almost none existant in Ontario so most people would be tasting it with a clean slate and no expectations.

[PRJack]

Originally Posted by wichie13

Thanks for your input Jack, I am going to give this one another try but I don't think my palate has been in the mood lately. Could just be me but it was not what I expected fom a mezcal and maybe thats the problem. I spoke online to a Tequila bar owner in Toronto and he said it is selling really well in his bar. Maybe thats the thing as Mezcal is almost none existant in Ontario so most people would be tasting it with a clean slate and no expectations.

hey Wichie, I did a bit of a comparo between the JdB and 4Copas Blanco - just to see. While there are more interesting flavours in the JdB it wasn't nearly as smooth as 4CB.

[PRJack]

Something new to add here... I can now understand why Wichie and I had such wildly differing opinions on this Mezcal. There are likely some significant quality control issues at the distillery. I opened a new bottle last night and it was very different. Far more woody in taste, sharper and more bitter as well. I had 3 or 4 nice bottles of the stuff before encountering this one. I guess that's the 'price' you pay for not having to pay a high price with this Mezcal. It won't stop me from buying, but I'll be sampling before offering some to anyone (or using it in a Maragrita like I tried to do last night... blech!).