Also tasted this at Mezcali in NYC. Wondered about this bottle and it was in direct line of sight so I said pour me one please! I’m a huge fan of the 5S line and this one did not disappoint. Earthy and funky, with a a bit of a soapy taste from the Jabali. Tropical fruit and mustiness. Minerality and viscous. Just a lot of fun to drink and if it wasn’t NYC prices per pour I would’ve drank more lol
Tasted this at Mezcali in NYC where the owner was generous enough to chat mezcal and pass off a sample pour of this. Not much to say about it besides the fact that it tastes like you’re getting turnt drinking chocolate in the best way possible haha I also appreciate the fact that with this bottle you’re not left guessing what was distilled with the agave— it’s written and it’s obvious! Fun bottle and great idea!
This one is solid but so different to the point where it almost doesn’t even feel like mezcal. Haven’t tried the Gracias a Dios mezcal gin but would like to. Gin was my first love before mezcal lol so naturally had to try this. Sipping it is not really too enjoyable but will admit that a mezcal gin gimlet or a “gin”and tonic with this is fun! Worth a keep in the stash.
Catching up on some old bottles with reviews tonight lol solid price point for cocktails and as a mixer. Would grab this over Vida, Banhez, or some of the other popular picks. Can be ok by itself as a sipper but wouldn’t recommend
Really surprised this doesn’t have higher reviews, but given that the batches vary I guess that makes sense. I love this Madrecuishe and found it to be very unique. First had a pour in Boston and was drawn to the chocolatey undertones mixed with the typical grassiness and vegetal madre vibes. However, this one also has a salinity and asphalt taste to it that just is so different and keeps me coming back for more. I wish that El Jolgorio would price a bit lower given their larger batches but I love this bottle.
God damn I love this bottle. The smell hits you from a mile away– it’s the kind of bottle I have everyone smell lol even if they don’t like mezcal it objectively just smells amazing. As others have mentioned, the balance on this one is incredible. I feel like each small sip has so many layers to it– bell pepper, vegetal, green, and a really bright overall finish. The taste will linger in your mouth for a LONG time after a slight sip of this one. Just fantastic stuff!
Was at Estereo near me and they introduced me to Gusto Historico via this bottle– didn’t realize it was Puntas until after I looked at the bottle because it was loud in the place lol also this is incredibly smooth for being 60%. Very green, sweet, bright and the burn isn’t overpowering. Loved this in a 2 oz pour and would possibly buy a full bottle in the future if I start adding more puntas to my collection.
Won’t blow your mind as a sipper but I really actually like this as a mixer for a mezcal margarita and similar price point to Oaxacan espadin mixer mezcals.
As opposed to the Chino, I found this one to be really interesting and easy to drink! Sampled it at a friends house and was immediately drawn to the smell, almost like a pack of skittles— super fruity. The taste integrates some of that fruit and tropical fruit flavor with a nice balance of smoke and the aftertaste is the fruit again. I was really impressed by this one and while I probably wouldn’t buy it myself, I’d definitely enjoy it again on someone else’s dime or at a restaurant 🙂
Went on a limb and gave this one a shot and kind of wish I wouldn’t have. I wasn’t really too impressed by this expression and there are some light fruit flavors and the pink lemonade that others mentioned was somewhat present but I think the smokiness overpowered this one. I think if the smoke was more of a flavor and less of a burn, I would’ve been more into it but I’d prefer to grab something else in the future!
Living in Chicago is great for many reasons, one being that I was able to snag what I think is one of the last bottles of this from Moreno’s. would be 4/4.5 stars but made it 5 stars because of hometown bias and the people and selection at Moreno’s are always top notch 🙂 Nose of tropical fruit, saltwater and ocean breeze, and minerality and light smoke. Drinking this at first, the profile read more like a tepeztate with bell pepper/fruit forward flavors but the potatorum follows the rest of the way. I also get green jolly rancher/green apple notes as well. Signature Rey Campero burn is present but not as prominent as some of their other selections. Great bottle and glad I have one now from a collector’s standpoint!
Had this one in a blind taste at the 5S tasting room with Carlos in Oaxaca. He was trying to get us to change our perception on Espadin and did so with this one and the Espadin de Cuero. The cuero was my favorite but this one really stood out as well. easily the two best espadins I’ve had to date. Really complex and notes of chocolate, a bit floral, and some green notes as well. Not going to find it in the states but worth a try in Oaxaca and definitely a must to go to the 5S tasting room (they share with NETA as well).
I can usually finish just about anything but I had to stop and couldn’t finish this 2 oz pour. I really don’t like anise flavor and this one is an anise bomb. High priced since it’s a pechuga as well. I give it a baseline 3 stars because I really love the 5S brand but this is just not it for me.
I’ve had a two oz pour twice now and it really stood out to me both times. The only brand I’ve ever sampled with the Azul in isolation and not part of an ensemble. Really unique in flavor profile, almost like a dark fruit bomb with the presence of the blue Weber underlying and a perfect amount of smoke and minerality. I finished these pours quicker than usual as I kept wanting to come back to it! Wish the bottle itself was at a slightly lower price point, but I loved this stuff!
I’ve bought two bottles of this now and it’s just really damn good. Very similar to his father’s work and well balanced in the flavor profile. Lots of green notes from the karwinskii in here and a mild burn from the espadin and Mexicano. Layers upon layers and really hard to go wrong for the price if you can still find it. I think I cleaned out my local spot for this one so might be my last adventure with this bottle 🙂
Hell yes. Was in Paris and grabbed this at Candelaria (GO THERE FOR MEZCAL IF YOU ARE IN PARIS)! Knew it was rated high so had to try it. Perfect mezcal! Smooth and viscous in the mouth and a bit of a peanut flavor, very similar to a marteño. Been looking for this bottle since tasting it and haven’t had any luck yet— might just need to go to Lalo’s spot next time I’m in Oaxaca 🙂 get this one!
The bottle I got was actually labeled as ancestral, which makes sense as I got a lot of that clay pot funk. Lactic, as one reviewer put it, is surprisingly a good way to put this one. A bit hot on the back end but nicely complex and can’t beat a clay pot coyote for around $80. Solid grab.
Catching up on all my meh reviews tonight while drinking good mezcal, ironically lol. Don’t fall for this one. The $45 price tag will catch you slipping but it’s $45 for a reason. Similar to another reviewer, I bought this to stop pulling from my good bottles but it was a hate drink lol There’s not really any complexity and it’s very Espadin forward with slight Mexicano profile. Didn’t catch much karwinskii. The bottle is nice but I’m not a bro that displays them so that means nothing! If you’re looking to drop $50 just go for a solid espadin instead of a cheap ensamble.
Had Salmiana in Cabo for the first time a few years ago and it stood out because it was so different. This is a solid ensemble for the price. Very grape, sour, funky cheese forward in flavor profile. Way different than any other mezcal I’ve had and also tastes good in a margarita and I don’t feel bad doing that with this bottle at like $45.
The quality on this is going down and I’ve never reviewed so also putting this review in to note the degradation. When I first got into mezcal, vida was a staple and quality was better. Now there’s plenty of other espadins I’d grab instead. Most recent bottle was full of vanilla and cinnamon flavor profile which was not what I’m used to from Vida. Look elsewhere.
