Del Maguey Santo Domingo Albarradas Mezcal (Tobala & Espadin)

* My bottle: From Lot no. SDAT-142 Nose: Bay leaf, sandalwood, asparagus and rose petals are the first aromas. Wow, what a start. Deeper nosing detects brine, red clay, licorice, butterscotch, fruit juice, beeswax candles, leather, peppermint and wintergreen. It's a full and round nose and adding water brings out orange blossoms, violets and other floral tones. Palate: Salt-sweet on the arrival with a melange of tropical fruity notes too intertwined to dissect. As the spirit develops an astringent, spicy and very mouth-drying, almost tannic smokiness arises that coats the palate. The texture is heavy and rich and you do not even notice that this is 49% abv. Finish: Long. Fruitiness and wood-smoke, sweet flavours but a very dry character. Everything from the nose and palate comes together and then saunters casually into the aftertaste. A subtle smokiness stays in the mouth for ages afterwards. Exceptional, beautifully balanced and very satisfying. The salty asparagus note from espadin is tamed by the luscious fruity tobala component, and the tobala is in turn lifted by the brisk and direct espadin. Overt saltiness is found mainly on the nose, but it's a very briny and maritime sort of salt, not earthy rock salt, and there's something almost-but-not-quite iodine about it. Adding a few drops of water softens the palate without spoiling anything and releases a wonderful sweetness that perfectly balances the underlying dry character. Excellent both neat and watered. A wonderful, no-holds-barred mezcal that's right up there with the best Del Magueys. "Very Good" : 86/100 (4 stars)

Apparently presents are bought by El Niñito Dios or Santa Clos in Mexican. I usually don't get any these days as I'm too old but via a round trip via Australia Santa Clos aka @cascode was very kind to post me samples of the finest Del Magueys to satisfy my Mezcal curiosity. Weirdly our postal systems seemed in sync as I got the package the same day he got mine! This drop is a good one. Much different to the others I've had to date, very smoked woody, sweet and vegetal but lighter. The first mezcal I had the ChiChicapa was more oily which I quite liked and think I prefer. For more comprehensive notes see cascodes great review. Thanks Santa Clos!

Thick mouth feel, heavy smoke, long finish; the quality is high, but it is extra bold