https://www.tequila.net/ https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/discussions/review.html?id=3469 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/discussions/review.html?id=3469 An exceptional Tobala. The initial taste is incredibly round and generous with a totally unexpected level of finesse. It finishes with authority leaving impressions of spice and smoke. This is a marvelous mezcal, one of the few counterpoints to Del Maguey. Not to be overlooked. ]]> Sat, 28 May 2016 23:29:50 +0000 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/discussions/review.html?id=3431 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/discussions/review.html?id=3431 What a surprise. This is a fantastic Mezcal. The first sip is a bit of a shock. It's very peaty with some heavy mineral overtones. The aroma reminds me of cheese. I was lucky enough to get an intro from a great bartender in Orlando. By the second taste, this was smooth and I couldn't switch to my staple tequila. ]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2015 03:16:30 +0000 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/discussions/review.html?id=3241 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/discussions/review.html?id=3241 Not a big mezcal drinker but I enjoyed this one, probably I have a special place in my hart for it since it was my first mezcal. Sweet in the nose with smoke, a bit of wood, some vegetable notes and spices. Nice tasting, not overly intense like some mezcals, again with the sweet, smoke, wood and vegetable. Nice finish with sweet aftertaste. Great bottle, love how they did the top. ]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2014 15:57:21 +0000 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/discussions/review.html?id=3197 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/discussions/review.html?id=3197 I've not been a Mezcal drinker, but this turned me into one!!! ]]> Sat, 01 Feb 2014 21:09:53 +0000 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/discussions/review.html?id=3182 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/discussions/review.html?id=3182 This is a pretty good tequila…oh, wait, it's a mescal. My prior experience with mescals was many years ago and I recall whatever I had was pretty rot-gut stuff - not conducive of trying again. Then I recently had a premium mescal and thoroughly enjoyed the smokey, earthy flavor, reminiscent of Lagavulin scotch. I've been drinking/collecting premium tequilas for the last few years, but the high end mescal (forget what it was) I'd drunk hit a special spot - like tequila but different in a way that made me want to add mescal to my usual repertoire. So, I hit the local liquor store, which has a surprisingly good selection of premium spirits, to include a number of high-end tequilas. Alas, other than the $20 buck mescal with the worm in the bottle, they had only one "premium" mescal - Zignum Reposado. I bought the only bottle they had and took it home in great anticipation. What I tasted was a very good approximation of a very good tequila - no smokey flavor I had been craving. I was disappointed - not that it was bad - it was very good, but it wasn't the mescal experience I'd expected. That said, it's good, with a weak amber tea color and slow tears on the glass. The nose is earthy, with hints of coconut, vanilla, and caramel. There's a slight chalkiness to it, sort of like the smell of rain on limestone. It's a part of the nose I like and look for in my favorite tequilas, so it was welcome here. There is an immediate burn on the tongue, but a slight oiliness quickly smooths this out…it is very smooth on the palate after the initial burn. There's a hint of the smoke I was looking for, but it's elusive, like a highland malt (Dalwinnie?). I could not taste agave until the finish, where a hint of smoke also present. All in all, it's good, smooth, and tequila-like. But if you're looking for the mescal smoke and earthiness, Zignum may not be what you're looking for. ]]> Sun, 12 Jan 2014 00:01:18 +0000 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/anejos/discussions/review.html?id=3020 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/anejos/discussions/review.html?id=3020 It's almost not fair for me to review a mezcal that tastes as good as this one. I am certain that as the years go by - I will find another mezcal I like as much as this one - but for now - that remains to be seen. This mezcal comes from Tamaulipas - a Mexican state that also gives us tequila. The bottle is classic - tall with a neck of medium length. The stopper is rubber - so not very authentic, but it certainly will protect the liquid itself from degradation that might occur through a cork stopper. Since this is an añejo, the color is dark , rich golden-brown almost like a malt vinegar. There are numerous tiny dark particles floating through the liquid. Poured into a tasting glass, the aroma explodes with smoke and wood. There is a nice agave smell but unfamiliar because this brand uses a combination of three different wild magueys. The first taste has a creamy texture that immediately coats the mouth completely. Alcohol burn is high but still not strong enough to mask the wood, tobacco and earthy influences. Thank goodness, the second swallow is smoother and the fire-roasted agave flavor starts to emerge along with even stronger barrel influence. I hate to say this, but when I am drinking mezcal, I feel more in-tune with nature than I do with tequila. Perhaps tequila is being manipulated too much now - too refined. Not the Tienieblo Mezcal - it gives a real kick that just reeks of Mexico and the paliniques where mezcal is produced. Legs in a tasting glass are "super" thick and drain like honey or maple syrup. It's like drinking a really floral, smoky, alcoholic version of agave syrup. Still, orange slices sprinkled with chile salt between sips is a really welcome intervention. Take an hour or two to sip a double shot of Tinieblo with fruit and good conversation - and the worries of the world may melt away - at least for a few hours. Añejo mezcals are not common but they add something for me that the joven expressions lack. Yeah - I know - "real" mezcal drinkers like the blanco/joven products better. I am just a mezcal snob, I suppose. If it's aged correctly, it's better than an unaged product. But that's what is great about tasting the spirits of Mexico. They offer something different for everyone. The price of Tinieblo añejo is not cheap but like any good mezcal or tequila - this is a bottle you should have around for a long time. It would be a crime to drink it too fast. Negatives for this product would be that I will have to look long and hard to top it. I am willing to keep trying. Dare, I say, that mezcal like this is a man's drink - but for the few ladies who like it - welcome to the club. Salud! ]]> Thu, 29 Aug 2013 05:32:38 +0000 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/discussions/review.html?id=2988 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/discussions/review.html?id=2988 Colour Clear Aroma :Smokey, slight sulphur, Cooked Agave, Pineapple & Honey Taste : Beautifully smooth Mezcal, with the initial taste being slightly sweet, with pear, caramel and cooked agave, moving beautifully through the mid palate with a smokey & peppery hit, great length and balance Finish Beautiful length. Wow, definitely one of the best Mezcals I have tried!!! Saludos! For a Mezcal that runs at 45% this is incredibly smooth. ]]> Wed, 31 Jul 2013 08:56:37 +0000 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/discussions/review.html?id=2781 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/discussions/review.html?id=2781 incredible aftermath of deep flavour. very rich bold combination of smokiness and essence. ]]> Sun, 30 Dec 2012 07:16:29 +0000 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/discussions/review.html?id=2765 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/discussions/review.html?id=2765 Tasted out of a snifter 16/12/2012. Taster's note: this was tasted on a cold day in a cold house. I'm sure if I'd had chance to warm it a bit more it would receive an even better review. I've never tried Mezcal before, and the first thing I notice about this is the pleasant nose. I find the nose of a lot of tequilas to be overpoweringly alcoholic when taken from a snifter; often you have to do a little searching for the real nose. Not so with this mezcal. It's a pleasant combination of fruit and smokiness (I don't get the 'ash' that the editor mentioned, just a pleasant smokiness with a hint of unlit tobacco - similar to rooibos tea). I find it quite a strongly flavoured nose, if that makes sense. Initial taste is very smooth and mild, but is quickly followed by a very quick powerful blast of sweet heat that smooths into a nice warming finish that doesn't last particularly long, but doesn't quite fade completely for a while. Lots of agave, smoke, and floral notes. It almost comes across as being aged more than it is, there's a slight woodiness buried in there that I'm sure would be much more present in the repo and anejo of this line. The finish has a buried note of sourness that is not unpleasant. It slips down very easily. Originally I was a little sceptical of mezcal, often having had it described as akin to a 'less refined' tequila, or perhaps a more 'raw' flavour. However, while I can see where those descriptions come from, I would like to note that they're not entirely accurate. I wouldn't call it 'less refined' or 'raw', but perhaps 'more powerful'. It's a very strong flavour, and I'm wondering if I actually prefer it to tequila for the money. Which leads me on to it's price. VERY reasonable. Not cheap, by any means, but to get myself a tequila that I enjoy as much I would expect to pay a lot more. Whether that's just because it's mezcal and not tequila, I don't know. The only slight disappointment for me is the presentation. While it's a clean, authentic looking label (with handwritten number) in a somewhat minimalist bottle (which, when coupled with the label looks good), the wax seal didn't cover the join between cork and bottle completely, and the cork isn't a great fit (feels slightly loose) and I wonder how good the seal it forms really is. Maybe this it's just this one bottle, who knows? The pictures on this site look like the wax has been applied with more care. Had these two issues been better, it would have scored much higher, as the bottle itself does evoke an impression of a home-produced spirit back in the olden days, and I like that that reflects it's history. It's not JUST a bottle, it has a story to tell. All in all, this is a great mezcal and I don't think it's going to last long before I'll be keeping an eye out for it's older brothers to replace it. I'm VERY interested to try the anejo now (and indeed, other mezcals). For the record, I MUCH prefer this to the various blanco tequilas I have. Highly recommended. ]]> Sun, 16 Dec 2012 18:35:31 +0000 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/discussions/review.html?id=2733 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/discussions/review.html?id=2733 I'll be the first to admit that I am a newbie to the world of Mezcal and that I've not yet fully learned to appreciate all of the flavors in them. With that said, I'll do my best to tell what I experienced. Aroma: The nose is a bit medicinal. Some grassy and citrus notes. It doesn't smell like a tequila, but something with a bit more bitterness. Initial Taste: A hint of sweetness with a bit of pine type flavors that makes it somewhat bitter. Body: Medium body. Not at all the same kind of agave character as the blue agave. There's still some grass-like flavors, but rubbery notes come into play and overshadow a faint sweetness. Finish: A rubbery flavor on the finish that lasts longer than I want it to. Hints of pine and mint as well. I know that mezcals can have a finish that tends toward the smoky and rubbery. There was no burn at all and it was smooth. The linger lasted quite a while. If you are someone who drinks mezcals on a regular basis, I can say that this is something that you would like. It has a lot of the trademark flavors in a very easy to drink spirit. Mezcals thus far have not been in my wheelhouse as much as Tequilas, but I'm interested to learn more about them and try more. This one is on the pricey end, so it's probably not for someone just jumping into mezcals. ]]> Mon, 12 Nov 2012 06:08:03 +0000 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/anejos/discussions/review.html?id=2687 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/anejos/discussions/review.html?id=2687 Herencia del Mezcalero Mezcal Añejo is a wonderful single barrel, anejo Mezcal. It reminds me a lot of Lagavulin single malt scotch, although it is obviously not scotch. I haven't tried it with a cigar, but I'll bet it would be a great compliment to a nice stogie. The nose is enticing with smoke and almonds. Initial taste is delicious with an intense peaty smoke and light citrus undertones. While the initial experience is quite refined, the finish has a bit of fire to it, but it's not at all unpleasant. Overall, the Mezcal is smooth and well-balanced. This is a wonderful Añejo Mezcal. I think it retails for around $60, but I found a bottle on clearance for $25, which is a good bargain for Mezcal of this quality. However, I've rated it as if it was not purchased at a clearance price. I drank the Mezcal in a small Port wine glass, but a brandy snifter could also work well. The quality is such that it would probably be a waste to mix this Mezcal. I really enjoyed Herencia del Mezcalero Mezcal Añejo and I suspect that you will too. ]]> Sat, 06 Oct 2012 01:58:54 +0000 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/discussions/review.html?id=2680 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/discussions/review.html?id=2680 I don’t have a ton of experience with mezcals, but given their relationship with tequilas, I feel that I should learn a bit more about them and the flavors inherent in that Mexican spirit. Here goes: Aroma: Smoke and oak. Initial Taste: There is some initial sweetness that had some citric acidity to it. There’s also some grass and the approaching smoke flavor. Body: Medium-thin body. Not really oily at all. The smoke is very forward, but there are complimentary flavors or fruit, grass and a touch of vanilla. Finish: The finish last a medium-long duration with flavors of smoke, wood and a hint of something that tastes like rubber. It could be an earthy aspect of mezcals with which I’m not familiar. At the end of the finish, the smoke is the most prominent. It’s not totally unpleasant, but I can assure you that mezcals are a spirit that you don’t just jump into right away and fully understand…much like an islay scotch. It’s complex, but very different than an aged tequila. It doesn’t have as much sweetness, but definitely has complex flavors. If you enjoy an islay scotch or a sweet/smoky combo, you would probably enjoy this mezcal. ]]> Wed, 03 Oct 2012 01:43:57 +0000 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/discussions/review.html?id=2572 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/discussions/review.html?id=2572 I visited Oaxaca in 2010 and had a chance to attend a mezcal festival. I believe this happens only once a year during the Guelaguetza Music Festival. For the sum of only 50 pesos (about $4.00) you could sample as many mezcals as you wished. I had the opportunity to taste about 40 mezcals. Many of these were anjeos and I had never had an anjeo mezcal before. This is, of course, not an anjeo mezcal. I had tasted it one time before, but, unfortunately, it was not at the mezcal festival in Oaxaca. So - I am trying to compare the flavor of this mezcal to anjeo mezcals. Of the 40 mezcals I tried there were only two that I liked as much as tobala mezcal. I believe the difference is in the fact that tobala is wild-collected and not cultivated for production. If you want a strong distinctive mezcal that tastes like no other - this is the one. I believe it is difficult for an American to really fully appreciate the flavor of a true mezcal. Get ready for a shock to your system - nose, tongue, mouth, throat and, finally stomach. Mezcals are not for everyone - but they are for me. The tobala mezcal is only processed once a year so the bottles are relatively precious. Buy one - if you can - taste and compare- you will be amazed. ]]> Sat, 14 Jul 2012 04:32:22 +0000 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/anejos/discussions/review.html?id=2470 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/anejos/discussions/review.html?id=2470 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 +0000 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/discussions/review.html?id=2404 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/discussions/review.html?id=2404 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 +0000 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/discussions/review.html?id=2401 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/discussions/review.html?id=2401 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 +0000 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/discussions/review.html?id=2400 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/discussions/review.html?id=2400 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 +0000 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/discussions/review.html?id=2269 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/reposados/discussions/review.html?id=2269 This is a great little inexpensive Mezcal.I have read reviews on Mezcal types and different brands ..with scorpions with worms...reviews from the liqour and whiskey snobs now here is the truth..I drink Mezcal because I like it. There is nothing that comes close to the taste of Mezcal... I don't taste the citrus, the leather, the mescaleros' sweat, or the enven the caramel overtones...I do like the peppery bite and the smokey finish you get with a good mezcal. I guess my palete is just not as advanced as some of these tasters, but what I do no is if your looking for fruit get you a bottle of Sangria, and if are looking for a good sipping drink that was called "Fire Water" by the earlier Mexican Indians, Mezcal is as simple as it gets PERIOD...... ]]> Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:37:29 +0000 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/discussions/review.html?id=2140 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/discussions/review.html?id=2140 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 +0000 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/discussions/review.html?id=2063 https://www.tequila.net/mezcal-reviews/blancos/discussions/review.html?id=2063 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 +0000