Recent reviews

Batch JAENTM0524. The first aroma to hit the nose is jalapeno. After that, there are more subtle aromas of dried coca leaves, tobacco leaf, and dark chocolate. And then there are these herbaceous aromas of celery, cilantro, and a bit of mint. The palate is equally as complex. Again the green pepper / jalapeno flavor is at the forefront but there’s a lot happening beneath that. This includes tasting notes of milk chocolate, espresso beans, spearmint, unsmoked Amsterdam Shag, a little caramel. This has depth and complexity. It’s bold and big and round. I like it.

Lot PANW7001. This is a unique flavor and experience. I recall that the guys from Las Almas Rotas made a Texas brisket pechuga a few years ago, and that’s really the only thing that I’ve tasted that is anywhere close to this. And even that was quite different. This has aromas of freshly grilled steak, limes, lavender, carnations, and that general smell that all barber shops have. The longer it sits in the glass, the more floral and fragrant it becomes. The palate is MEATY!! This tastes like a marbled Wagyu steak. The palate has some additional floral notes like rose water and coconut. The mouthfeel is thick and fatty. I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything quite like this.

smooth, chalky, dry; made with Rhodancantha/ Mexicano; expensive but WORTH IT as it’s a very limited special run
Lote 0706
Bottle 17/310

tastes cheap and perfumey, a bit fruity and sweet but not in a good way; made with Rhodancantha/ Mexicano and Espadin

Smells like hay and tastes like wayyyy too much like alcohol but then, just as you’re ready to write it off, it has a super fun aftertaste of juicy fruit!

Smells a little bitter and smoky but tastes bright and citrus

Lote: 05/22
Bottle 10/168

Lote: JAENCOS524
I actually do get some cacao on the nose. Some sawdust, dustiness as well.
Taste carries through w/ a stronger version of that smell…which is not my favorite. Clay, bitter coffee, mole spices. Overall a super dry mezcal (if that’s a thing). It got better with some airtime but not my favorite of all the offerings from Creador.
Review #237

Lote: VDP-284
Lovely smell – fruity (strawberry)and light. Taste is not bad at all, just super light. Some floral and more fruit on the notes…but super light. I’m sure this will be great in a cocktail…and I don’t have the OG Vida by me, but this one could be more flavorful & “complex” as well. Agree w/ Jonny that is probably just doesn’t have as much smoke as the original.
Review #236

Quick taste at Mexico in a Bottle in San Diego October 2024.
Overall good, my first Emigdio Vago. Like many Vago’s it is strong with the flavors. Good stuff.

Batch A-21 at 40%
Not good.
Aroma with lots of smoke and burnt rubber (no, not in a good way).
It tastes like spicy, hot cherry cough syrup.
The finish continues with the bitter cough syrup.

This was the crowd pleaser mezcal at the agave club in November 2024. I am glad my friend won a bottle!
Aromas are soft and beautiful, almost no smoke.
The taste is also subtle with some light sweetness. On the backend there is plenty of earth and light mint.
The finish is really good and almost goes to juicy flavor salt-water taffy.

12-15 year old maguey from Santa Maria Zoquitlan
Roasted with red oak
natural spring water
natural fermentation
Copper Almembic

This is a good, fairly mild Tep from Albaro and Armando Hernandez.
The aroma has good, campfire-like smoke.
The taste is solid and surprisingly smooth, then builds in flavor–mostly earth and very light veggies, maybe a wisp of asparagus.
Good flavors in the finish but goes a tad bitter.

Lote TP201 45%.
25 Year old maguey from Santa Maria Zoquitlan
Roasted with red oak
natural spring water
natural fermentation
Copper Almembic

Batch JAMCO524. I’m a big time rhodacantha head and this mezcal hits me just right. The nose has a lot of clay and slate. Additionally there are aromas of salt, fresh coffee beans, plum, and dried strawberries. The palate is chocolatey with hints of fresh orange, cooked bell peppers, and grilled pineapple. This changes in the glass longer it sits and mellows. It evolves and I dig it.

Batch ROD-PEC-002. The nose on this is all fruit, no brakes. It smells like Juicy Fruit gum. Aromas of papaya, mango, banana, kiwi, and orange. The palate is similarly fruity with some additional notes of cardamom, anise, and tajin. This is a really fun pechuga, packed with big fruity flavors and a balanced mouthfeel. Most super fruity pechuga mezcals get a bit watery and thin from all the fruit. That’s not the case here. This keeps it’s physical character and textured mouthfeel.

Tried this at the Cuish tasting room in Oaxaca. 46% Alc. Vol.
Palette – Not your typical green bright tepextate. Cooked agave, sweet almost candy-like, along with a creamy, floral vanilla note. Very mineral on the tongue and a pleasingly smooth finish similar to all Berta mezcales. Really enjoyable and worth trying if you get to visit their mezcaleria!

Had this at the 5 Sentidos tasting room the other day. I regret not taking some home since it was quite flavorful! Palette is smooth, fruity sweet agave, with a Oaxacan chocolate finish. Mouthfeel is medium weighted, and the finish lingers nicely with no burn, just bittersweet chocolate. Amazing!

Review #184:
The nose has lime, jalapeño, spinach, dark chocolate, and peanuts.
The palate has green wood, sweet lemon oils, lime juice, pine, rosemary, mint, peanut shells, and a dry minerality.

This is an excellent Bicuixe. It has a nice acidity that isn’t too brash and works well with some of those herbal notes. Other’s notes on the desert vibe are spot on with that dry minerality that lasts on the finish.

Batch REF-ESP-001. Not to oversimplify things, but this smells and tastes like gusanos! The aromas are very earthy, with notes of dates, raisins, mesquite, and… well… worms. The palate follows a similar profile with the notes of woodiness and dark dry fruits. Additionally there’s some dark tropical fruit, like a papaya that’s gone well beyond it’s prime ripeness. This is a really interesting story and the flavor profile is unique. Very wild batch!

Distilled in Julio 2023. The aroma of this is off the charts. It’s cheesy, salty, and fatty. I’ve never smelled a mezcal like this. Aromas of cheddar cheese, dill pickles, vinegar, grilled beef, and sea salt. The palate is soft, deep, delicate. There’s less of the lactic notes on the palate, and more notes of green pepper, dried dates, pickled jalapenos, white chocolate, macadamia, and fatty oils, like the residue on a well seasoned cast iron pan. The finish lasts for days.

Batch JAC00524. This smells delightful! Aromas of fresh plums, cherry candies, and plantains. There’s also a bit of clay on the nose, but not overwhelmingly so. The palate is soft with some slight lactic hints. There’s also a strong flavor that is similar to the candy coating on a red tootsie pop. Additional tasting notes of coconut, brown sugar, and raw mint leaves.