Mezcal is produced in the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico, from several varieties of agave, but not blue agave. The pinas are cooked using wood-fired ovens, giving the spirit a pungent smokiness. Traditionally bottled with a worm (the original reason for this being unclear), mezcal uses the same terms as tequila: blanco, reposado and anejo.
Destined to be known forever as 'the one with the worm in it', mezcal is made from a different variety of agave plant and the production methods give it a smokiness on the palate.
Del Maguey Crema de Mezcal is made with 80% mezcal from San Luis Del Rio, mixed with 20% pure agave syrup, so expect it to be quite sweet. As the bottle proudly proclaims, "For women only...and a few strong men".
A single estate, high altitude traditionally produced mezcal from Sombra. It's got hints of dark smoke as well as fruity citrus and maybe even a touch of pineapple - a great spirit.
The Alipus label is dedicated to finding and distributing traditionally made small village mezcal. San Andrés is made in Xitlapheua by Don Valente García Juárez.
Named for the masked Mexican wrestlers, Enmascadero is a traditionally made Mezcal, produced from espadin agave baked in earth ovens and pot distilled. This 45.2% version is diluted before bottling, unlike the punchier 54.2% edition, giving it a rather more vegetal flavour mingled in with woody smoke.
The backbone of the Siete Misterios range, using Espadin agave, the most commonly used in Mezcal production, to produce a long and complex flavoured spirit, with smoke, earth and fruit.
Marca Negra's Espadin based mescal. Espadin is the most commonly used agave for Mezcal, and this is double distilled in copper pot stills before resting and bottling.
Del Maguey single-village mezcals are very rare and highly sought-after, having picked up the title of World's Best Mezcal at the World Spirits Competition every year from 1999-2002. This Santo Domingo is named after its village of origin.
Del Maguey single-village mezcals are very rare and highly sought-after, having picked up the title of World's Best Mezcal at the World Spirits Competition every year from 1999-2002. This San Luis Del Rio is named after its village of origin and is from the 2002 vintage.
An artisinal mezcal made in the pueblo of Santa Catarina Minas, Minero is distilled in a clay and bamboo still in small quantities. A floral mezcal with lots of depth.