Montelobos Espadín Mezcal Joven

This is my first Mezcal tasting. It is a Mezcal Artesanal. So I may come back and change the rating later when I have more to compare it to. But oh man was this delicious! If you're a peaty scotch and tequila lover, you will love Mezcal! The whole experience reminded me of a tequila, blended to perfection with Laphroaig 10yr and Lagavulin 16yr - leathery brine and smoke (not peaty - more BBQ charcoal). The agave was layered underneath it all, adding a grassy earthiness and citrus sweetness (but it wasn't sour). I prefer my whiskeys cask strength and this delivers in a similar way with viscosity (thick and oily), and stronger characteristics but not overpowered by the abv. The finish reminded me of nice cigar with a hint of dried fruit. Perfect for sipping (or kissing) as they tell you to drink it in Oaxaca. 2 oz. pour, neat, and room temp in an old fashioned glass. I think you can usually find a bottle of this for $40 and under.

A beautifully clear, slightly viscous and oily pour, this mezcal has quite a notable nose. Sweet, vegetal, oil smoke - vaguely reminiscent of coal smoke - cracked black pepper, ethanol, and a lush "alive" note I find quite addictive. Even before my first taste this left a very nice first impression for such an affordable bottle. On the palate first up is sweet agave. I'd almost think this was sweetened. The oil smoke is there, strong but balanced. Elements of asphalt, fresh cut green vegetation (think young pole beans), cactus, green apples, black pepper, and slight bitter quince on the fade. The finish is clean and moderate with sweetness, smoke, and that vegetal bitterness fading slowly. Very sippable neat, I purchased this with the idea of cocktails. Oaxacan Old Fashioned, Mezcal Negronis, and more are in my future. This is a good mezcal for under $40.

The nose is clean with zero ethanol. Roasted beets, ancho chilis, cane syrup and candied yams. Sagebrush smoke throughout, but doesn’t dominate. The palate explodes with flavor. Grapefruit oils pucker the tongue, a gentle sweetness plays in the background. Roasted bell pepper, copper notes, and peppery fresh radish form the backbone. Pinion woodsmoke wafts throughout the taste. Iodine, smoke and the bite of the radish linger for minutes on the finish. A really well-crafted mezcal for an affordable price. Hard to complain when it’s a good sipper but cheap enough for cocktails.

Let sit for about a minute. 👀: Clear as day, no legs but droplets instead; 👃: Sweet like a sugarcube, a bit vegetal, smoke isn't evident at first but creeps up on you, a little caramel; 👅: This is where the smoke hits you, also very sweet as the nose will tell you, almost tastes artificially sweet, caramel and molasses; 🏁: This taste is lingering and wants to stay, almost like you licked a sugarcube, can't say it's beautiful but more like a one night stand... You love it at the moment but can't wait to kick it out 😜

An intense agave from Mexico by Ivan Saldana, for Casa Montelobos NOM-O156X crafted with Espadin agave. It has an aromatic birth with notes of roasted agave, gentle wood smoke & green bell pepper, unripe green apple & a hint of blue cheese; while a balanced life adds notes of earthy minerality, a touch of smoke & ripe tropical fruits; that led to a long & fruity death with notes of grilled mangos. April 2017

Wow. The nose is enticing, with sweet agave, grassy green vegetal notes, and a light smokiness. The palette is mildly sweet, with a savory middle, and that green pepper, smokey tail end reminiscent of poblano. This stuff is ridiculously easy to drink neat. It's also really nice on the rocks. Have yet to try it in cocktails, but I'm sure this would make a mean mezcalita