200ml is a good format for this. I’ve had mixed experiences with Lalo Puntas and this is on the better end of his offerings. Dry peach clay. Vanilla meringue. Quite strong. I’m not the biggest puntas fan and this is up there at 69% – definitely requires a “beso” sip before the real flavors come through. A fun release from Mixtape as something to compare with Lalo’s other mezcals. 2022 lot.
Pretty basic Espadín. Alcohol. Agave. Vanilla. Would be serviceable as a mixer. Pedro Hernández. Lot 15/19.
Really awesome Salmiana mezcal. Great mouthfeel. Citric zest and chile peppers. Orange peel. It is definitely not too hot as-is but cools off a bit if you let it sit open for a few minutes. Probably the best mezcal I’ve had from Guanajuato by far.
I love Mal Bien and like the regular Espadin from this producer but the lemongrass on this is super strong. It is not great sipping straight. I’m not a fan of lemongrass in mezcal and have never had a good one; this includes the expensive Siembra Metl lemongrass releases. To be fair though, this is priced to mix and I’ve made margaritas with these and everyone (including me) enjoyed them. This is $30 retail which is crazy cheap for a fun mixer – give it a try for cocktails.
As my neighborhood mezcal bar, I’m a bit partial to this El Chucho batch pick. Tepextate mezcals from Miahuatlan are always a treat because the green peppery flavors work well with the minerality of the mezcal. I remember the flavors being a bit more subtle when I first opened the bottle but over time it has really opened up. Mezcal newbies will like this one too because it is sweet and vegetal without being overpowering. Bottle 37/60
I love me a Tepextate, especially from Miahuatlan.. but this is a bit subtle for my taste. As a mezcal, it is delicious. Agave forward sweetness, some citrus, spearmint.. but not the big Tep peppery flavors I gravitate towards. It is also missing some of the Miahuatlan salinity. For me, it is missing some of the complexity compared to NETA Tepextate releases. 48%, Lot: PAU-TEP-200-1-23.
One of my favorites from Palomas. Such a unique batch as well since they are pretty much the only guys with Mexicano in Michoacán. It is a bit dry with some fruity notes. Almost a bit of Runts with the candy coating artificial fruit note. I get the lime other reviews mention. Also some wet herbs which all of their mezcals have a bit of. January 2018 batch purchased at the vinata.
Quite good. There is a nice punch of sugary minerality that overcomes some of the muddy clay notes. A bit of pink Starburst. Clay is there but part of the finish and not too dominant. Lot D-01-19 Agave Mixtape.
Kind of a subtle Tepextate. I’ve had this bottle for a while half-full. There is a Mike and Ike candy quality to this. Tad sour on the frontend with green sweetness mid-palate.. candy-like. Somewhat artificial timeless green notes versus freshly cut green flavors. Touch of sweet smoke on the finish. Bottle 20, batch E-0124, 2019.
Sipping two batches side-by-side, both delicious. Lamata 51%, 2 oz sample. Amormata 48%, lot: VER-S 25-06-2025. Huge big freshly charred bell pepper notes, wet wood, sour cherry, and a bit of brown butter. The older Amormata release is a bit more vegetal. Really big fan of the Simental family releases in Durango.
Incredible value. Finally grabbed a bottle – great flavors from a fresh bottle. Lots of green pepper notes, some allspice funk, leather, clay, and burnt tea leaves. Excellent sipper. Lot 008-E
Crazy aroma.. almost like some basil mint candy. Sipping it has mint as well. Honestly the flavor is a bit weird. It reminds me of eucalyptus balm, like Vicks VapoRub but a less industrial version like Mentisan from Bolivia. Finish has some cooked fruit. From memory, this is quite different from some of the other Whelleri sotols from Bienvenido released under brands like Clande and Sotoleros. Less grassy, more spearmint. It is unique – just not sure how I feel about it given the flavor association. Kinda dig it but think it has a time and place. Batch BF-WHE-02, 49.13% ABV. Fermentation date: 01-2023.
A really nice Cenzio from Chihuahua. Different cenizo flavor profile possibly because of the steel still versus the “viejo” stills typical of Durango. There are notes of salt water taffy, fresh butter, vanilla, and lemon lemon meringue. Definitely some pop even though it is glass-rested 3 months and 46%. I’m digging this! Batch JF-CEN-01, 46.02% ABV. Bottle notes “fermentation date” which is a first: 06-2023.
Such a delicious mezcal. Maybe it has been too long since I’ve had a Guerrero mezcal? This stuff rocks. Speaking of rocks, this has a rock candy vibe along with some tepache spice, charred pine, and Dr. Pepper bitters. Batch 0422BR, 49.5%
Berta seems like an amazingly sweet lady and I’d love to meet her. That said, I don’t love all of her mezcals. This Tobala is an easy sipper but not very complex. There is some orange marmalade, cinnamon plastic, and smoke. Batch X/2020, Bottle 21/96.
Sweet and not super dry for a Miahuatlán Karwinskii. Some earthiness with a tang in the finish. Good value but not my favorite Bicuishe. Batch XI/2020. Bottle 97/120.
Sour start. An interesting mid palate of oregano and “pizza spice”. A tad hot for 45%. Lactic finish. Sipped at Life is Beautiful in Brussels. Lot 321
Really awesome ensamble. Perfect balance of sweet, spice, and slight vegetal funk. If you like Miahuatlán mezcals, this hits the spot. The addition of 5% Cucharillo is awesome. Great example of a “field blend”. Batch EN7P 05-21
Not a big Tobala-head and this is just fine. There is some clay musty vibes with a bit of spice. Sipped this during a Tahona Mercado virtual tasting years ago and had a bit of the sample left. 47.54%
I was keen to purchase the edition with Tepextate, but Travis Heights Wine & Spirits in Austin was fresh out so I grabbed this. Initially it was very high dry Karwinskii, almost on the acid side. Later is really opened up and ‘smoothed’ out. Classic Miahuatlan minerals, wet stone Karwinskii spice. Not something I’d want a whole bottle of again, but can’t complain. Big fan of this producer, have a bottle of his Tobala and Bicuixe stashed away.
