http://www.tequila.net/ http://www.tequila.net/images/stories/tequila_rss.gif http://www.tequila.net/ 1403-2470 http://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/anejos/ilegal-mezcal-anejo.html Brilliant Whisk...er Mezcal. Basically, if you are a Peated Whiskey (like a Connemara Peated or Balcones Brimstone) or Scotch (ala Laphroaig or Ardbeg alligator)far you will love what this Mezcal has to offer. It is extremely smooth yet uber Smokey and Salty. I liken it to a Mezcal Campfire. I love Scotch and have recently been venturing into Tequila & Mezcal with the help of Tequila.net. After reading the awards for the year I decided to give it a shot. Interestingly enough the bottle is one of the reasons I had walked past this beast repeatedly. It is for that reason and the $100+ price tag I was reticent to buy it and try it. I decided to take one for the team and I am so glad that I did as my new favorite of the 25 spirits that I have is Ilegal Mezcal Anejo. As I am not a pro at writing reviews I will do my best here to give you an idea of what makes it so wonderful without trying to sound too much like a shill. The smell of this fine Mezcal is one of smokey ash. It reminds me of the Balcones Brimstone Scrub-Oak Whiskey which is like drinking a Campfire. The taste is on the tongue is of smoothness ala a Don Julio. The finish is long and extremely Smokey with Mesquite. All in all a thoroughly enjoyable drink, not to be imbibed as a shot but instead as a sipper. ]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 17:58:31 -0400 1821-2404 http://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/aztecali-mezcal-reposado.html Aztecali, nose of citrus and mint. Taste offers a hint of wood and a tropical feel. Aztecali can be mixed in cocktails and can be sipped on. For $35, it's worth it. Cheers ]]> Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:33:52 -0400 1821-2401 http://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/aztecali-mezcal-reposado.html Aztecali Reposado * Tasted March 2012 * Riedel Tequila Glass Appearance: medium straw - slow tears Aroma: sweet agave with hints of oak and citrus Initial Taste: agave and orange Spirit Body: sweet bread and roasted nuts Finish / Aftertaste: medium heat chocolate finish, citrus and mint aftertaste This Mezcal is similar to Tequila and produced with more modern production methods with Blue Agave from Zacatecas. This is not what you would expect from typical Mezcals and does not exhibit smokey characteristics due to cooking the Agave above ground. Aztecali is a great example of modern Mezcal. ]]> Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:58:59 -0400 1820-2400 http://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/don-antonio-aguilar-mezcal-reposado.html Don Antonio Aguilar Reposado * Tasted March 2012 * Riedel Tequila Glass Appearance: medium straw - slow tears Aroma: agave and oak, berries with light grass Initial Taste: sweet agave Spirit Body: agave, vanilla and oak Finish / Aftertaste: heated finish, woody mint aftertaste This Mezcal is similar to Tequila and produced with more modern production methods with Blue Agave from Zacatecas. This is not what you would expect from typical Mezcals and does not exhibit smokey characteristics due to cooking the Agave above ground. ]]> Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:51:58 -0400 1639-2140 http://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/metl-mezcal-blanco.html To find a Mezcal at this price, that tastes this good is close to impossible. This was the 5th bottle of Mezcal I had tried and I was so glad I did. Super smooth and very little heat on the finish. Some smoke and mint. My only problem with the Metl is that I killed the bottle in 3 days by myself. The alcohol content is 44-48% which I assume is average for a Mezcal of this quality. The presentation is spot on as well, very cool matte black bottle. Pick some up, you won't be disappointed!!! ]]> Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:55:42 -0500 1639-2063 http://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/metl-mezcal-blanco.html This latest incarnation of Metl Mezcal blanco should not be allowed anywhere near teenagers. If they get a hold of it, well, let's just say it would cause more problems in this world than we already have. It's a 96-proof mezcal. The first 96 mezcal I have ever had...be forewarned that this one can "jump" on you. It gets the party started pretty fast. WHOOO HOOOO!!!!! OK, back to business.... The nose is pleasant. It has a peppery alcohol outline, a light leathery nose with a hint of dried fruit. A pretty subdued "wow" factor, just a clean and straightforward tease for what is to follow. Initially, a bit of pepper/dried chile kick to it, plus the alcohol hotness, which may be due to the higher proof, but a nice light earthy, creaminess to it. Dare I say woodiness? After the heat settles, and by the way, I don't want to overstate the hotness, but it IS there, but only initially, on the first substantial sip. After this, the fruitiness comes forth, becoming exposed as an integral part of a robust, viscous body as it swirls around and over the tongue. More mango than pineapple, not in a cane-sugary way, but more deeply sweet, and naturally blended with a moderate smokiness whole, which persists throughout a very long finish, pleasant mineral trace elements lining your mouth's interior. I was surprised that there is almost no heat by the time it reaches the throat. The drink is consistent from nose to long finish. Best to be consumed when you are somewhere with no plans to be driving anywhere, in a comfortable chair, in a room with other aficionados. It's just too easy to keep drinking this one. It really gets smooth after that first shot and holds together really well. Others might be quick to say that this is not the most complex mezcal they have ever had, but I feel that it is a very enjoyable drink, and the price point was reasonable (I think it was 42-ish). This makes for a good contribution to the mezcal market, accessible to working stiffs such as myself. Oh yeah, and the bottle? Love it. Hella thick glass. Dark and mysterious, alpha-male, like the new Batmobile. Love the big arse cork. I admit, I swiped my finger and licked the residual on the wide lip after my pours. Most importantly, the wide base provides for great stability, a good "product feature" to have by the time you are at the halfway point with this one! -Agave Sipper ]]> Sat, 10 Sep 2011 06:51:16 -0400 929-2017 http://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/sombra-mezcal-blanco.html As a big fan of big, peaty Islay single malt whisky, I've been on the hunt for a similarly arranged mezcal. The hunt is over. Appearance: Crystal clear. Long legs form when swirled around the snifter. It kind of sparkles and dares you to think it's delicate. Nose: Smoke. Big, mesquite-like, oven-baked agave smoke. Mild notes of citrus are left on the backbone. Initial taste: The initial taste is dominated by the smoke. This mezcal doesn't play around. Body: Rich and bold. Surprisingly built for a blanco. Finish: Once the smoke subsides, then you get to partake in the subtle nuances of baked agave, grass, and citrus. The finish turns this one-trick-pony into a fine sipper. Really, really enjoyable. If you can get passed the stupid packaging (that is kind of charming in an idiotic way), then this is a great mezcal to have around. It's not delicate, it's not dainty, and I feel like I might have insulted it by drinking it out of crystal stemware. Definitely one of my most entertaining purchases. ]]> Thu, 11 Aug 2011 04:57:44 -0400 1447-1843 http://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/fidencio-mezcal-joven.html Fidencio Mezcal Joven * Tasted January 2011 * Riedel Tequila Glass Appearance: clear - slow tears Aroma: sweet agave, herbal and floral Initial Taste: buttery agave, earthy Spirit Body: espadin agave, vegetal Finish / Aftertaste: sweet lemon grass Pure Espadin Mezcal without the smoke, a unique spirit with excellent flavor. ]]> Mon, 21 Feb 2011 07:27:16 -0500 929-1757 http://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/sombra-mezcal-blanco.html This is a big and bold mezcal ]]> Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:27:58 -0500 1447-1755 http://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/fidencio-mezcal-joven.html smooth and elegant! ]]> Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:21:14 -0500 1404-1713 http://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/ilegal-mezcal-reposado.html This is by far the most pleasant tasting mezcal I have tasted. I find myself wanting to pour a second shot. Truly delicious. ]]> Fri, 29 Oct 2010 01:26:53 -0400 1403-1640 http://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/anejos/ilegal-mezcal-anejo.html Ilegal Anejo * Tasted June 2010 * Riedel Tequila Glass Appearance: medium amber, golden hues - slow tears Aroma: mild smoked agave, sweet orange and cherry, light floral Initial Taste: citrus, sweet with mild salt and eucalyptus Spirit Body: light sweet / smoked agave, earthy Finish / Aftertaste: long finish with chocolate, wood and raisins ]]> Mon, 02 Aug 2010 03:34:02 -0400 1404-1639 http://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/ilegal-mezcal-reposado.html Ilegal Reposado * Tasted June 2010 * Riedel Tequila Glass Appearance: dark straw - slow tears Aroma: light wood and smoke, hints of agave and cinnamon Initial Taste: buttery agave, smoke Spirit Body: smoked agave and dried fruit Finish / Aftertaste: long finish with sweet citrus and smoked chocolate ]]> Mon, 02 Aug 2010 03:30:07 -0400 1405-1638 http://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/ilegal-mezcal-joven.html Ilegal Joven * Tasted June 2010 * Riedel Tequila Glass Appearance: clear - medium tears Aroma: sweet smoked agave, light floral, ash, tobacco, eucalyptus Initial Taste: sweet agave, tangy with hint of raisins Spirit Body: floral, smoke Finish / Aftertaste: medium finish with smoke and ash ]]> Mon, 02 Aug 2010 03:26:09 -0400 80-1602 http://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/anejos/scorpion-mezcal-anejo-7-year.html WOW !!! What a gift! ]]> Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:10:25 -0400 855-1500 http://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/el-zacatecano-mezcal-reposado.html I bought a bottle from the local state-run liquor store for about $45. I tasted it at room temp. and from my favorite trumpet shaped glass. This is really a nice mezcal, not quite as strong on flavor as Chichicapa, but smooth and still quite flavorful. The nose is vegetal and fairly intense. Initial taste is slightly sweet with agave, oak, and green olives. In that order, with a touch of smoke. Nice. The body is fairly oily to me, but to me, the strong point of this one is the finish. It just goes on and on and makes you want more. I would highly recommend this one. ]]> Mon, 19 Apr 2010 05:44:42 -0400 43-1495 http://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/del-maguey-chichicapa-mezcal.html I was heartened to see a few like minded individuals on this page. I tried my first real Mezcal(Del Maguey Santo Domingo) this year, and was struck by the complexity that I never knew existed in anything other than single-malt scotch. I just tried the Chichicapa tonight, and was absolutely blown away. What struck me most was the incredibly complex, satisfying finish. The potency of it is something to behold as well. Being almost 50% abv, what I thought was my aperitif lasted me through my full meal. I may try my next with a splash of water. What I'm not sure of is if I'll ever go back to my Laproaig. Certainly I will be starting my search for a bottle of my tomorrow. ]]> Sat, 17 Apr 2010 06:41:33 -0400 856-1302 http://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/jaral-de-berrio-mezcal-blanco.html Perfectly cristalline and extremely thin in the glass. Initial aromas of olive, mown hay, pear and mild alcohol. Very light on the tongue, it opens with a vague creamy sweetness and unfamiliar grassy flavours. The sweetness soon yields to a mild bitterness at the back of the mouth. Herbal flavours and the noted bitterness dominate a clean but quick and otherwise unremarkable finish, leaving a slight astringency and soft buzz rather than a sharp alcohol tingle. Overall, it is an unusually light product - completely apart from the smoky depths of other mezcales. It is also only 36% alcohol, and that might explain some of its mild characteristics. Although there is little in this product that would entice me to buy it again, I do spend time each year in Oaxaca, and will certainly investigate more carefully other mezcales blancos. ]]> Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:31:55 -0500 461-986 http://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/del-maguey-minero-mezcal.html When I did the Del Maguey tasting at work, this is the one I started with. Out of all the Del Maguey's this is by far the lightest style on offer. On the nose you have a distinct floral and citrus overtones with a spattering of trademark smokiness lingering in the background. On the mouth, the citrus along with pepper come through strong and hard filling your mouth with a spicy creaminess that wasn't expected from the initial sniff. The finish is clean and leaves you with a perfumed smoke flavour in the back of your throat. Definitely a starter for the person looking to get into the Mezcal ranks. ]]> Fri, 16 Jan 2009 02:39:37 -0500 856-985 http://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/jaral-de-berrio-mezcal-blanco.html This Mezcal has put me in between a rock and a hard place. Firstly its a blanco so the flavours and aromas are going to be different to my prefered Repo's and Anejo's. I am not going to say I don't like it but I am not the biggest fan. I think when you smell a Mezcal there should be a little smoke but with the Jaral there is little to none. The aromas are more floral and herbaceous, more like a high quality tequila. It just tastes a little too commercial for me. Although it does have a long and clean finish, it doesn't really weigh up in the mouth. Overall, an ok blanco mezcal that would be good for the novice. ]]> Fri, 16 Jan 2009 02:31:37 -0500