Ilegal Mezcal Anejo

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T April 25, 2010
 
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Ilegal Mezcal Anejo

Mezcal Review

Brand
Ilegal
NOM
Agave Species
Region
Tlacolula, Oaxaca
Oven Type
Extraction Method
Distillation Method
Distillation
Alcohol Volume
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Tasting Awards
2012 TEQUILA.net Awards - "Best of the Best" Best Aged Mezcal Judge Favorite 2011 TEQUILA.net Awards - "Best of the Best" Best Aged Mezcal Judge Favorite
2012 TEQUILA.net Awards - Best of the Best 2011 TEQUILA.net Awards - Best of the Best

Ilegal Mezcal Añejo

Ilegal Mezcal Añejo is produced from 100% Agave Espadin, and is a small batch artisanal product from Tlacolula, Oaxaca, Mexico. This initial Añejo batch (2010) is limited to 1224 bottles, and is a blend from medium char French and American oak barrels. This vintage Mezcal will differ each batch, eliminating bland predictability. Each bottle is wax sealed, and contains a hand numbered parchment style label.

HISTORY
Ilegal Mezcal, pronounced "eeh-lay-gal", is named from the expeditions of John Rexer, as he smuggled product to his Bohemian Tequila / Mezcal Bar, Cafe No Se, in Antigua, Guatemala. Unable to import his product into the United States using the illegal name "Ilegal", John was forced to import a product essentially with no name to get around the TTB labeling regulations. You'll notice on the close up label photo, "Produced for Ilegal Mezcal", is a smaller font and positioned after "Mezcal Anejo". This creative method of labeling allowed him to bring his Mezcal into the US without changing the name to something less appropriate.

Ilegal Mezcal is entirely handcrafted using Agave Espadin, roasted / baked in a conical earth pit, using both mesquite and eucalyptus wood. The cooked Agave is then crushed by a millstone, and fermented in oak vats. Ilegal Mezcal is then double distilled in small, alembic copper stills. This production is much more of an art than a science, which is the beauty of age-old traditions followed by Oaxaca palenques.

Looking closely at the bottle and label, the colors of the Mexican flag are present, a green wax top and red numbers. Gold embossing was used to reflect the gold of Aztecs and the Spain conquest, and the crucifix was added as a symbol used by both the Aztecs and the conquering Spaniards.

Photos by Tequila.net



Editor review

1 review
Overall rating
 
94
Aroma-Nose
 
94
Initial Taste
 
93
Body
 
93
Finish
 
95
Enjoyability
 
95
Price
 
89
Presentation
 
91
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
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User reviews

1 review
Overall rating
 
98
Aroma-Nose
 
98(1)
Initial Taste
 
98(1)
Body
 
98(1)
Finish
 
99(1)
Enjoyability
 
100(1)
Price
 
90(1)
Presentation
 
95(1)
Overall rating
 
98
Aroma-Nose
 
98
Initial Taste
 
98
Body
 
98
Finish
 
99
Enjoyability
 
100
Price
 
90
Presentation
 
95
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.
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