Betsy Andrewshas been writing about wine and spirits for two decades. "Their espadn is a solid expression of traditionally made mezcal. Best Mezcal Brands: Mezcal Experts Share Their Favorite Picks The cooperative members roast their own Espadn and Barril agave in earthen-pit ovens, grind with a horse-drawn tahona, and distill it in rustic stills to produce a mezcal rich in smoke flavor but with fruit-forward notes of ripe banana, guava, and pineapple. The Mezquila, then, is the best of both worlds: its more flavorful than tequila, but not in-your-face smokey like most mezcals. 4 Mezcales Casa Armando S.A. de C.V., El Recuerdo Mezcal Abocado Con Gusano. The term Maguey Verde refers to many different types of agave, depending on the production region. When we said that Espadn agave can be used for premium mezcals, we were talking about bottles like this Del Maguey Chichicapa. In addition, fermentation is often in hollowed-out tree trunks or stone vessels. They treat their employees right, and all of their mezcal is delicious stuff. Many drinks professionals recommend drinking mezcal straight, sipped neat with water on the side. Theres just enough bite to make things interesting, with hints of mesquite and wood mixing with ripe fruit, but everything comes together in a silky smooth finish. This makes it a fast-growing favorite with bartenders and cocktail lovers. Once that gives way, stunning notes of stone fruit and black tea emerge, followed by a weighty, slightly sweet palate, with smoke returning once again on the finish. Drinkers new to mezcal are often shocked by the price tag. In its native Oaxaca, this species was often cultivated as natural fencing due to its size and shape. Spicy pineapple aromas immediately leap out on the nose and lead onto a vegetal-forward, earthy, and fruity palate. Weve chosen some of the best mezcal brands you can buy online, from go-to brands making easy-to-sip offerings, to premium bottles that deserve a place on your shelf next to your high-end bourbon or scotch. Some varieties of agave, such as Tepeztate, can grow up to 30 years before its ready to be harvested and made into mezcal (more on this later). Believe it or not, the first thing I did was to see if they were readily available on the internet. However, the requirements for producing the harder-to-find Ancestral mezcals dictate that agave crushing can only be done by tahonas or by hand, thus preserving the agave fibers to be included as part of the distillation process, which must be done in fire-heated clay pots. While most mezcals are made for sipping, the smooth, crisp flavor of this Montelobos bottle (and the easy-on-the-wallet price point) makes it perfect for . The flavor is forceful, lively and full of pepper, making it an excellent slow-sipper for mezcal lovers. Pit-roasted and tahona-crushed, then twice-distilled in copper-pot stills, its a traditional spirit thats easy on the earth. But the brand also has a great mezcal: Casamigos Joven. Produced by the Corts family, whose mezcal making lineage runs six generations deep, this 100 percent Espadn expression is made using an entirely non-mechanized (Mezcal Ancestral) process. Learn more. Mezcals signature smoky, earthy notes will be somewhat familiar to peated Scotch drinkers, too. James Beard-nominated book is a guide to the world of mezcal, debunking misconceptions and highlighting some of today's best mezcal makers. Its made using three types of agave, creating a unique complexity and approachability. 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Unlike the wider mezcal category, which encompasses spirits made from upwards of 30 different types of agave, tequila can be made only with blue agave in just five Mexican states. Tastings are therefore not conducted blind. Official Mexican Standard) number, indicating which distillery it came from and designating it a true product of Mexico. Joven means young, or in the case of mezcal, either unaged or aged for less than two months. A Guide to Mexicos Most Beloved Spirit, A Conversation with David Suro-Piera and Gary Nabhan on the Past, Present, and Future of Tequila and Mezcal, A Guide to the Lesser-Known Agave SpiritsAnd Where Sotol Fits In, Expert Tips For Choosing and Tasting Mezcal, The Essential Tequila Bottles for Your Home Bar, The Differences Between Blanco, Reposado, and Aejo Tequila. Read Next: The Best Cocktail Books, According to Experts, Region: San Luis Potosi | ABV: 44.3% | Tasting notes: Eucalyptus, Green bell pepper, Umami, This unique mezcal is produced in the Mexican state of San Luis Potos, where wild-growing Salmiana agave is cooked to release its sugars, not through traditional pit roasting, but by steam roasting in a brick oven similar to those used by makers of tequila. Best Tobal . Find it at wine.com, Oaxaca native Yola Jimenez seeks to empower women in Oaxaca's rural community with her brand. The 12 Best Mezcal Brands to Drink in 2023, From Joven to Pechuga Unlike most hard liquor, the quality of mezcal is largely dependent on the age of the agave plant not the age of the liquor itself. The U.S. is now the number one consumer of mezcal in the world, with mezcals home country of Mexico as the second biggest market. A mezcal label should also include a NOM (or Norma Oficial Mexicana, i.e. We tried this mezcal in a number of cocktails (think spicy margaritas and El Silencios take on a mezcal negroni) and the earthiness of the Espadn gave the drinks a wonderful warmth and heartiness. The Best Mezcals in 2022 | Saveur What Are the Best Mezcal Brands? Ready to try out mezcal or add a new bottle to your bar cart? However, August Sebastiani decided to go a different route. In addition, whiskey drinkers are finding familiarity in mezcals varying nuances of smoke and oak, while bartenders have found that those same mezcal attributes complement certain cocktails, especially those incorporating bourbon or scotch. However, weve also highlighted some fantastic brands that use the more industrial Mezcal process. 2 Cutwater Spirits, Mezcal Joven. This is the case with Cdigo 1530 Ancestral Mezcal, with its sweetly delicate smoked grass and earthy flavors laced with floral notes and a bright minerality. Find it at drizly.com, "Marca Negra works with several maestro mezcaleros, but this espadn has been in their portfolio from the beginning," Yana Volfson says. Double distilled in copper pots, this release is made using Espadilla, a subspecies of Agave angustifolia thats native to Puebla. But mezcals real standout characteristic is the way it is produced. No matter where it comes from or what its made of, you can count on mezcal to pack a punch be it extra smokey, tart, spicy or herbal. It has this cereal flavor and soft butteriness to it, says Mix. Joven is usually aged less than two months, reposado is aged two months to a year, and Aejo is anything aged more than one year youll find varieties for all flavor preferences on this list. None of this is surprising; according to Impact Databank, mezcal has been growing at double digit warp speed during the past few years, and in the process, making the United States the worlds largest market for what once was considered tequilas bad boy brother. Find it at caskers.com, The best artisanal mezcals are made in tiny amounts. Mezcal can be produced from a wide range of agave varieties, and can be used to make a variety of cocktails. The mezcal is then finished for a short period in Pedro Ximnez (PX) sherry barrels. The creation process of mezcal is often very rustic. Made by Don Isidro Rodrguez Montoya and entirely from the Alto variety, this is a distinctly clean and mineral-driven mezcal that brims with tropical fruit aromas, while a surprising savory depth awaits on the palate. It's also a formative mezcal in the development of. When mezcal started blowing up around the world, many producers began over-harvesting wild Tobal agave. Ingredients: 1.5 oz Mezcal Amaras Cupreata. Banhez Joven. It's a fantastic sipper." Like this article? Best mezcal UK: the best bottles out there - British GQ Seeing this as a challenge, mezcalero Aarn Alva Snchez spent 20 years perfecting a sustainable process for cultivating this elusive but flavorful agave. But mezcals bold flavor also makes it ripe for sipping neat or on the rocks. Get our best cocktail recipes, tips, and more when you sign up for our newsletter. "Sombra's smoky and intense but great for the adventurous." 12 of the best mezcals from the IWSC 2022. In San Luis Potos, the origin of this bottle, the species in question is Agave Salmiana. Though traditionally the tahona was pulled by a horse or donkey, that would walk in circles while leading the one-ton wheel around the pit; El Silencios efforts to improve sustainability has replaced the animals with solar power, creating a more productive and eco-friendly way to make mezcal. We've found the very best ones. The five most common kinds of mezcal agave are Espadn, tobal, tobaziche, tepeztate and arroqueo. Creamy with a peppery finish, it has notes of citrus, melon, papaya, and bell pepper. Our pick: Yola Mezcal ($60) But there are plenty of cocktails that the smoky spirit lends itself to, too. Distilled in copper pots, this blend of Espadn and the rarer Tepeztate variety boasts a clean, mineral-rich nose and lithe texture on the palate. Or go straight to the good stuff and read on to find out more about the best bottles available online. Since corn is a bedrock of Mexican cuisine, that's just a lot of cool culinary synergy." There is asaying in Mexico, Treat both women and mezcal with respect and kisses, which means to appreciate mezcal you need to take small sipslike kissesto properly taste it, says Paola Magal Segovia Arce, a master mezcalier who oversees 250 mezcals at Bakan Wynwood Mexican Restaurant in Miami, Florida, And always accompany your mezcal with a bit of water between tastings, to cleanse the palate and hydrate.. Inspired by adventure travel, sustainability and a focus on mezcals Oaxacan roots, every bottle of The Lost Explorer is produced in very small batches and sold in hand-labeled bottles made from recycled crystal. Best Cristalino Mezcal: Contraluz Cristalino. Their beginner offering, Vida, is a single-village espadn mezcal launched in 2010. You can swap in mezcal in any tequila-based drink, including Margaritas, but given its rich, intense character, its also a good substitute for scotch or whiskey in classics like the Old Fashioned. Richard Carleton Hacker has been writing about spirits, restaurants, wines and cigars for over forty years and has written for Robb Report since 1995. Made using the rare Papalom variety, this traditionally-produced mezcal was fermented in rawhide and distilled in clay pots. Ilegal founder John Rexer used to smuggle mezcal out of Mexico to serve at his underground music club in Guatemalahence the labels name, in part. "We employ 98% women. If youre new to mezcal, this Bozal Ensamble is a great introduction. The first agave is Espadn (the typical mezcal agave) but its supported by Barril for citrus and floral notes, as well as Mexicano agave for earthiness. For more on the artisanal spirit, check out our guide to centuries-old, remarkably modern mezcal here. 10 Best Mezcals For Every Budget - Food & Wine The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time Buying Guide: How We Chose the Best Mezcal. What sets Animas apart is its lighter smoke profile, allowing other flavors to shine through, including a delightful hint of pineapple on the finish. Just as a tequila can be sweet, herbaceous, floral or mineral, the best mezcals can also range from sweet and smooth, to rich and robust. The Best Cocktail Shakers, According to Experts, The Best Whiskey Glasses, According to Experts, The Best Cocktail Books, According to Experts. Fermented in pinewood tanks for up to 15 days then aged for two months in a combination of new and once-used American oak barrels, the vegetal flavor has underlying hints of chocolate and curry, resulting in an extremely smooth sipping mezcal. Yet, because mezcal production is high-costAgave takes eight to 30 years to mature, and theres no machine that harvests them, so its all manpower, says Mixbottles can be pricey. Mix insists that you cant go wrong with any of the six expressions, but perhaps most interesting is this bottle from noted distiller Ignacio Don Chucho Parada and his son, Jos Parada Valera, who live in the mountain village of Santa Maria Zoquitln, where the agave is grown in perfect conditions, at high, dry altitudes in mineral-laden soils. This is another bottle that really shines in cocktails but can also be sipped on the rocks or neat. Tobaziche is another wild agave that often lends a herbal flavor. Although both are exclusively made in Mexico and distilled from roasted agaves, tequila can only use the Blue Weber variety and must be distilled in the town of Tequila in Jalisco and four other specifically designated Mexican states: Guanajuato, Michoacn, Nayarit and Tamaulipas. Roasted in earth, mashed by hand, and ultimately distilled in clay ovens, the earthy, rustic charm of its nose quickly conveys the loving manual labor that went into its production. Tequila, on the other hand, must come from the Jalisco region and use at least 51% blue agave. The Tobal plant is often referred to as the king of agaves because of its popularity and scarcity. But most mezcals are still made via laborious, artisan methods. Theyll like this one. This is a mezcal drinkers mezcal, enhanced by the fact that a portion of its proceeds is donated to various wolf sanctuaries in the United States and Mexico. This is definitely a bottle for spirits geeks. Unlike most imported tequilas, where production is structured on a relatively large scale, many mezcals are small individual or family-run operations, and unless they are fortunate enough to have marketing and distribution connections, you may never find them on this side of the Rio Grande. Finally, while aged reposado and aejo expressions exist just as in tequila the practice is much less common in mezcal. 2023 Rolling Stone, LLC. "It showcases the way espadn expresses terroir and can stand up to the stronger flavors in a Mezcal Negroni." (Check out this guide for more on the differences between tequila and mezcal.). The 15 Best Tequilas Under $100 To Try in 2022 - Next Luxury 16 Best And Smokiest Mezcals To Add Some Heat To Your Life Find it at flaviar.com, "I like Sombra's sustainability efforts, like using bagasse (cooked and pulped agave fibers) to build houses for people who lost them in the 2017 earthquake," says Miguel F. Lancha of D.C.'s Think Food Group. When August Sebastiani, fourth-generation member of the noted Sonoma Valley wine family and president of 3 Badge Beverage Corporation tells you that his line of Bozal mezcals is now outselling his Pasote brand of tequilas, youve got to sit up and take notice. The barrl agave is a species of agave known for its giant, barrel-shaped trunk. Weve included a wide variety of agave in this guide for all price points. This ones a sipper, for sure, and perhaps not the first bottle on a mezcal exploration. The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time. Plus, copper pot distillation is allowed (but not column distillation). In short, tequila is actually a subcategory of mezcal, so not all mezcals are tequila, but all tequilas are mezcals. At around $35, it has become bartenders' trusty go-to for mixing. At Casa Silencio in Oaxaca, where El Silencio mezcal is made, a small group of workers load hundreds of pias (the heart of the agave plant) into a quarry-style, underground pit each week, that is heated to extremely high temperatures and lined with large volcanic rocks to create a natural, underground oven.. Amanda Swanson. Best Mezcal Under $100- Top 100 Most Popular Mezcals - WikiliQ Find it at wine.com, An olla de barro is a clay cooking pot; for mezcal, it means the spirit was distilled in clay rather than copper. The 12 Best Mezcal Brands to Drink in 2023, From Joven to Pechuga The Rundown Best Overall: Rey Compero Rey Compero Tepextate at Drizly Jump to Review Best for Beginners: Montelobos Montelobos Espadn at Drizly Jump to Review Best Espadn: Gracias A Dios Gracias A Dios Espadn at Drizly Jump to Review Best Tobala: Del Maguey Del Maguey Tobala at Drizly Jump to Review Best Under $50: From Santiago Matatln, Oaxaca, this mezcal is made from Madrecuishe agave matured between eight and 18 years before harvesting. Types of Agave: The agave used in Mezcal is very important. This relatively new yet already much-awarded brand was created by San Franciscans Jeff Block and his daughter Sydney, who, having lived for eight years in Oaxaca, Mexico, came to realize that mezcal was very often a family endeavor in its production. Some, like Del Maguey Vida, have a smoke profile to rival Scotch. After unseating reposado as Mexicos most asked-for style of tequila, clear-filtered cristalino has now vaulted into the mezcal arena. Finally, its aged for 13 months in American and French oak barrels. Produced from the rare Coyote agave in the Zapotec mountains of San Baltazar Guelavila, Oaxaca, this is a phenomenally expressive mezcal. Dont shoot the mezcal! is sage advice by knowledgeable aficionados south of the border, because despite its hearty flavors, mezcal is not a spirit to be knocked back in one gulp. There, he places roasted corn grown on his ranch inside his small copper still with the fermented agave juice, resulting in a spirit with a unique character. Created by fourth-generation distiller Oscar Hernndez Santiago, this mezcal, says Lemus, is a fantastic way to discover the spirits typical earthy and smoky nuances.. Bright tropical fruit notes, a subtle hint of perfume, and a juicy berry finish ensure it will shine when mixed in cocktails. By now, mezcal, much like tequila before it, has crept into just about every cocktail template, from Negronis to Mai Tais. In addition, approximately 40 different varieties of agavemany growing wildcan be used to make Mezcal, unlike most of tequilas cultivated Blue Weber agaves. Region: Oaxaca (San Miguel Ejutla) | ABV: 42% | Tasting notes: Tropical fruit, Smoke, Pepper. Mar 31, 2016 10 Fidencio Clsico Mezcal 89 One of the few mezcals that are both organic and biodynamic. Expect to be blown away by freeze-dried raspberries, rose water, and neutral wood smoke on the nose. This is one of multiple bottles on this list that proves Espadn is so much more than a workhorse variety, and that viewing mezcal as smoky tequila is reductive. Everything they do is for their people and land, says Nelson Lemus, bartender at Brooklyns Aura Cocina. Dedicated to the preservation of ancient Oaxacan methods of artisanal distillation, noted tequilero David Ravandi, working closely with local maestro mezcaleros in Santiago Matatln, in Oaxaca, created one of the first organic mezcals. This aejo is aged for 12 months in oak barrels, is bottled at 38% ABV, and delivers bold . Best Lightly Smoky Mezcal: Del Maguey Vida Puebla. Espadn agave is by far the most popular and most versatile, making up about 90% of mezcals (from affordable to high-end). A dozen red roses seem to spring from the glass, with dried red berries soon following. A skillfully blended ensamble of Espadn and the less-common wild-foraged Barril agaves, the flavor has light herbal tones of rosemary, eucalyptus, and mint, along with smoky wisps of floral and citrus. Its then double distilled in copper pots and put in Rey Camperos old-school bottles. wbs_cat Wine, wbs_type Cabernet Sauvignon, wbs_type Chardonnay, wbs_type Moscato, wbs_type Pink Moscato, wbs_type Pinot Grigio, wbs_type Ros, wbs_brand Barefoot Wine. The massive arroqueo agave plant can take up to 30 years to ripen, and one sip of this high-end mezcal will tell you it was worth the wait. Peppery spice and vegetal flavors set up a green, savory palate, with smoke barely an afterthought. It adds a slight smoke to the most refined mixed drinks and is also perfect for just drinking it neatly under the sun's heat. Then I pour a small amount into a Glencairn tasting glass and do a sniff, sip and spit routine, not actually swallowing the liquid but by breathing it though the nose, as there are far more taste receptors in our noses than in our mouths. Its profile is agricultural in the best possible way with a nice balance of sweet and savory notes, and earthy corn flavors enjoying the most prominence on the palate. And while there is no science to support this claim, lots of folks say they feel less crummy after a night of drinking mezcal or mezcal-based cocktails. Alips San Juan Del Rio, $40. Smoothness is a very subjective quality in spirits. Cramer and his wife Lisa Detwiler partnered with Snchez and his wife, Mariana to bring Fsforo to the United States in 2022. You might also have noticed that mezcal cocktails are appearing on more restaurant and bar menus. Smoky aromas quickly pass, revealing dates and sugar snap peas. A single-estate mezcal from 123 Spirit's David Ravandi, this delicious bottle is produced from 100-percent organic agave grown in this Santiago Matatln at nearly 6,000 feet, where its sugars develop slowly into complex layers of flavor: orange and grapefruit and plantain. Who wouldnt want a mezcal marked Ilegal on its label? PechugaSpanish for breastis an ancient mezcal-making technique that involves a skinned animal breast being hung over the heated agave distillation. Updated 09/17/20 Liquor.com / Laura Sant Until somewhat recently, you'd have been hard-pressed to find anything other than a dusty $20 bottle of drowned-worm swill in the mezcal section of your liquor store. The Best Mezcal Under $50 | Bevvy It had to happen. Chilling it dulls mezcals many natural flavor congeners. Mezcal Nuestra Soledad La Compaa is a single-village mezcal joven from the town of La Compaa, Ejulta, Oaxaca. Spirits Mezcal 10 Best Mezcals For Every Budget These top-notch bottles are terrific in cocktails, and worthy of straight sipping, too. A more intense mezcal compared to other bottles on our list, the Espadn features notes of citrus and earthy greens, a hint of peppery spice, and the subtle sweetness of roasted figs and sweet potatoes. Not Montelobos. However, the smoke in this small batch, copper pot-distilled joven is not as pronounced, thus it provides an ideal entryway for those experiencing mezcal for the first time. Food & Drink Spirits The 12 Best Mezcal Brands to Drink Right Now, From Ilegal to Lobos 1707 There's a growing number of this smoky agave spirit out there. Its like not all scotch is peaty Laphroig., There are many factors that go into a mezcals flavor profile, such as terroir, agave species, and how the mezcalero chooses to cook, ferment, and distill the plants, says bar consultant Deena Sayers of Drinks By Deena. Were including this 100 percent Espadn mezcal in the cocktail category due to its value for money and assertive ABV (49 percent). Produced by 36 families in the Oaxacan municipality of San Miguel Ejutla, this mezcal is steeped in the traditions and terroir of its home. The Best Mezcal Under $50 | GQ This is helpful if youre looking for a truly artisanal, hand-made product that has not been adulterated with additives. As part of its commitment to the environment, and the land where the agave is farmed, The Lost Explorer teams up with The Voice for Nature Foundation to support regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, circular production and zero waste initiatives in the Oaxaca region. Though admittedly great in cocktails, this is an equally good entry-level mezcal. The tastes of both green and cooked agave mingle with the smoke from the roasting pit, and all those flavors create a profile that tells the story of mezcal in every sip. And, if youre like us, youre probably looking to understand the hype by drinking some of the best mezcal brands. Unlike other spirits, mezcal should be served at room temperature. Family owned and operated for six generations, Don Mateo de la Sierra is based in the western state of Michoacn. If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. Complex smoke defines this blend of Tobal and Bicuishe. These top-notch bottles are terrific in cocktails, and worthy of straight sipping, too. With a light, fragrant, floral character balanced by really light smoke, its so good, she says, I think it is perfect., Region: Oaxaca (Santiago Matatln) | ABV: 43.2% | Tasting notes: Grass, Honey, Smoke. Best mezcal 2022: 12 award-winning mezcals to try - Club Oenologique I like its lightness, she says. A limited-edition series, it is produced using rare, wild, and semi-cultivated agaves. Its too bad there is more hype than substance for this LeBron James-backed award-winning mezcal, because there is more to it than a cursory search of the internet might reveal. The brand sources from remote palenques (distilleries) all over the state, but the Elote is made by Lopz himself in the mountain river town of Candelaria Yegol. The Best Mezcal $50 (Or Under) Can Buy! - distiller "Del Maguey has a great smokey spirit here that people love and expect when they think mezcal. Real Minero Barrl has a complex array of tasting notes including cacao, bubblegum, and pear. Looking to sample an aged mezcal? This unclassified agave spirit is made from the Brocha variety, which matures at around 7 years old, and this producer also uses the capn technique, leaving the agave in field for up to three years. The Best Mezcals for $40 or Less | HuffPost Life If youre a peated Scotch drinker, youll love this mezcal. Tobal sometimes called the king of mezcals is difficult to grow, rare in the wild, and produces a complex bottle of mezcal. Casa Dragones Blanco Check Price Casa Dragones Blanco is a small batch, premium Blanco tequila made at the headwaters of the Volcano of Tequila and is pound for pound the best spirit of its kind in our $100 price bracket.