La Jicarita Pechuga Mezcal. Distilled with a turkey breast. Conical oven, Stone Mill, fermented in pine vats, copper pots. Lot number P0001.

Tastes of jelly beans, mint. Subdued smoke, No clear evidence of the turkey in the distillation. I thought it was OK, and it is reasonably priced for a pechuga. However not sure I would buy it again, as this isn’t really what I’m looking for in a pechuga.

Distilled with mole and chicken. No fruits added to distillation.

Batch 001. Conical stone oven, Tahona mashed.

I taste moderate smoke, and the cocoa from the mole. No sweetness as I have observed in other pechugas. Viscous, but nothing else obvious from the chicken in the distillation. However overall I am a fan, especially with the delicious mole notes and the reasonable price. Rating 4.5 stars, especially recommended if you’re looking for a pechuga that’s not sweet/fruity.

Del Maguey Joven Mezcal – Chichicapa / 92 proof
Tahona milled, copper still. Moderate smoke, with agave and prominent fruit / citrus. It’s kind of amazing how the makers of Chichicapa can take the humble Espadin agave and make such a unique mezcal out of it. After my first taste I was honestly thinking “what the heck is this?” But pretty soon I was hooked. I think this is a great mezcal for newbies and for those who want something off the beaten path. (Lot CHI-173)

Del Maguey Joven Mezcal Minero / 98 proof
Hand milled, clay pot still. Hint of vanilla, heavy smoke and some agave. This was my second foray into a clay pot distilled mezcal. (Don’t ask about the first one I tried!) I’m not sure of the influence from the clay pot – did not detect anything in the nose or taste that I could tie to the clay pot. Nevertheless, this is a very good unique sipping mezcal. (Lot SCM-128)

Edit 2020 – Updating my rating as it is now my favorite Del Maguey mezcal. Only nit is for a Espadin mezcal it seems a bit expensive.

Alipus Joven Mezcal Santa Ana / 95 proof
Tahona milled, copper still. Lighter body. Nice mix of agave and smoke, pepper. Compared to the Alipus San Juan, this has more agave and less smoke, and for me reaches a great balance. Of the “single village” Alipus mezcals this is my favorite. (And I’m glad I did not see the “acetone scent” comment before I ordered a bottle of this – yikes!)
(Lot SAR010/16, bottle 328/1064)

Alipus Joven Mezcal San Luis / 96 proof
Tahona milled, copper still. Surprisingly light despite its high proof, agave and smoke are a bit moderated compared to other Alipus mezcals. Also detect a touch of fruit / citrus. A smooth, delicious sipping mezcal. (Lot SLR006/16, bottle 1403/1590)

Alipus Joven Mezcal San Juan / 95 proof
Tahona milled, copper still. Thick and oily. Smoke is prominent but not overwhelming, minimal agave notes. Not my favorite Alipus, but still very good, and probably the best one for mixing due to its strong character. (Lot SJR103/16, bottle 184/1200)

Alipus Joven Mezcal San Andres / 94 proof
Electric milled, copper still. Heavier and oily. Smoky, similar to Alipus San Juan, with some black pepper. Very good but seems to push smoke at the expense of complexity.

This was my first Alipus, but is now the 4th favorite of the 4 I’ve tried (though I’d happily buy any of them again). Perhaps I am a bit biased because this is the closest thing to “mass produced” of the Alipus line.
(Lot SAM013/16, bottle 1030/3008.)

Ilegal Joven Mezcal / 80 proof
Tahona milled, copper still. Rather light agave in the front of the palate, then in the back of my throat I get heat and smoke aftertaste – strange finish that I have not noticed with any other mezcal. Not bad, but I really couldn’t get into it. (Lot 36, bottle 2126/7000)

Sombra Joven Mezcal / 90 proof
Tahona milled, copper still. Lots and lots of smoke with some agave, some alcohol heat. Good, but one-dimensional compared to other mezcals. My rating for this taken straight is 3 stars, but it probably would fair better as a mixer so I will rate it as such. (No lot #)

Los Amantes Joven Mezcal / 80 proof
Tahona milled, copper still, triple distilled. Some spice and agave with an undertone of smoke, and a little funky. This was my first mezcal, and it was probably a good choice for that. However now it seems a bit muted or watered-down (and it is) compared to some better mezcals I’ve tried recently. (Lot 11, bottle 2932/6000)

Siete Misterios Joven Mezcal Espadin / 96 proof
Hand milled, clay pot still. Mild sweet nose. On palate some sweetness and licorice or peppermint candy (Good & Plenty). Some smoke, no agave to speak of.

Licorice is not a flavor I want in my mezcal. I’ve tried about a dozen mezcals and this is the first bottle I literally could not finish. Very disappointing, esp. after my great experience with the Pechuga. (Lot ESP09/15)

Siete Misterios Joven Mezcal Pechuga 2014 / 94 proof / $145

Tahona milled, copper still. Slight sweetness and fruit from fruits/nuts used in the 3rd distillation. Moderate smoke / agave. Can’t really identify an impact from the turkey breast. I don’t have a basis for comparison yet, as this was my first (and only) Pechuga – but I totally enjoyed this.

The only issue is that due to the price this will be a rare purchase. I hope I can find a less expensive Pechuga that I enjoy as much as this one.