Ilegal Mezcal Joven

The Ilegal Joven surprised me with how smooth and sippable it is. The nose carries a soft smokiness, but there's also an unexpected sweetness — even a hint of citrus. The first sip was much milder than anticipated: not as rich or woody as the aged Añejo, but definitely more approachable and light on the tongue. It’s thinner, less full-bodied, but very easy to hold and enjoy. On the back end, there's a sharper bite that gives it character, but it doesn't linger in a harsh way. The real beauty is in the exhale — breathing out through the nose reveals a lingering smoke that makes you feel like you’ve just stepped away from a quiet fire. It's not overwhelming; it’s evocative. Overall, a fun and highly drinkable mezcal, and one I’ll definitely return to on nights when I want something lighter but still meaningful. --- Poem: Smoke and Citrus by Sophie Not all who wander are lost, but some find fire in a glass— a gentle flame, sweet on the nose, with whispers of char and ash. It touches light, a drift of citrus in the dark, then bites—just once— to remind you this path still has teeth. You breathe, and smoke lingers in the silence— a memory of wood, a shadow of fire, a toast to the night that knows your name.

Ilegal joven is one of those mezcals that I would consider giving someone who is just trying to get into mezcal. It's not very complex, pretty standard stuff but for the most part gets the job done and works pretty well in cocktails. The nose is pretty musty and smokey. The palate is a bit one note, heavy on the smoke with a little bit of sweetness. It's very thin and not very complex. The finish is a bit metallic with some heat and fades pretty quickly. All in all it's not bad, but it's too boring to really be considered something you would go for neat. In cocktails though, it does serve a purpose. I will say, I tried this in a clay copita, as well as in a glass and it was better in the clay copita. It helped to smooth out the finish and I got less of the metallic industrial taste. I would say if you were only drinking this neat, it's a 2/2.25, but as a cocktail ingredient you can boost it up to the 2.5.

The nose has faint mesquite smoke, with green bell peppers, cantaloupe, wet limestone and cotton candy. Surprisingly heavy-bodied mouthfeel. The palate is earthy but muted and very easy-drinking, with the vegetal sweetness of agave, light smoke, wet stone, a very faint citrus note, and charred sugar like the burnt exterior of a campfire marshmallow. The finish is fairly short, dominated by the agave, light smoke and wet stone. Nothing challenging here, but very enjoyable.

Nose is pleather and Spaghetti-Os (metallic can with some kind of artificial sweet). Some smoke (eg: vinyl pleather). Evolves with water or ice and becomes an excellent sipper. Melon and vegetable tastes. Fails in the Down n Dirty Margarita. Excels in the Spice of Life Margarita.

Compared to some of the other mezcals I've tried I found this one to be very light, floral, and much less smokey. As another reviewer said "A bit tame but smooth." However, I also found it had a bit of an after taste that made it hard for me to love it. I give it 3.5 stars.

Online cinco de Mayo drammers pour. Nose: Cooked Agave, Flowers, Papaya, Pineapple, Bacon, Watermelon, Mango, Citrus Palate: cooked agave, pineapple, mint, anise, vanilla, cinnamon, baking spices Finish: cooked agave, citrus, pepper, green apple