Salmiana
J. Manuel Perez
Lote: 66 BTL: 972/2900 distilled 10/22
44.7%

First time trying the brand and definitely worthwhile for the price point.
Lots of roasted green chillies on the nose. Some funky and fruity elements on the palate. Reminds me alot of the Lagrimas de dolores Masparillo for some reason.

Overall, a fun sipper. I look forward to trying more styles from these guys.

From a 9 year old batch, so it may have lost some character but had to order when I saw it at the Denver Central Market.

Arroqueño
May/June 2015 (bottled in 3/18)
Lot 20J
Jesus Rios
48%

Tame nose with peppermint, dark chocolate and spiced fruit aromas and flavours.
Gentle creaminess with a medium length finish.

In its current state, I’d give it just below a 4 star. Happy to have tried though.

# 22673
Nose: As expected from a desert spoon – forward minerality, full with hints of citrus peel and earth. Dried bush. Properly roasted piñas seemingly.
Palate: 43% seems low. Its a bit hot, still enjoyable and interesting. Long finish, good but lacking refinement.
Not spectacular, but otherwise decent value. About $70 USD in Arizona.
Honestly 3.8

Newer offering from Vago (Emigdio Jarquin)
53% Mexicano
36% Arroqueño
11% Bicuishe
Tahona/Copper,
617 L, 51.5% ABV
Fruity nose – think boozy pineapple and the mexicano shines through with some grit.
Alcohol is decently integrated
Definitely nuanced, nice texture and very long.
Thankfully I procured a bottle so I’ll revisit this again shortly.

Sergio Juárez Patricio
San Luis Amatengo
2.3 tons ~15 years old
October 2019
Single pass “Refrescadera”
170 L total; 45.7%
Tall bottle – not the original bottling that was so highly regarded here.
Tough to nail down.
On the nose it’s got this spicy, gently smoked agricole rum vibe. Bruised tropical fruit and dried coconut.
On the palate it’s sort of like a really really strong, floral, Pina colada without the sweetness. Finish is long and vibrating on the tongue.
Good, but I’d love to have tried their first rendition.

Edition 5, 2019 bot # 29/185

Nose: Pretty classic A. Karwinskii. So much minerality but still classy mezcal. Vegetal.
Palate: Hot and heavy. You get the booze but also thankfully the extraction and as a result-crazy long finish. Great, explosive mouthfeel. Almost spicy. Definitely not for the untrained tongue. A bit floral too honestly.

Solid 4.25

VGEN01

The first (and I think only) blend- I wanted this to be good, but it seemed like a batch that wasn’t A1 but was released because it was interesting and, ultimately, they had it.
The nose is all espadin and Mexicano. Some alcohol too.
The palate isn’t truly balanced with the alcohol. It’s sort of sweet and extremely floral. I think that’s where everyone equates this with dryer sheets.
The finish, although lengthy, doesn’t really have focus. Maybe a bland hum.
Cool and interesting batch from an old school mezcalero for sure.
But not anything to throw money at. It was $87US.

Picked up a 200mL BTL (40%) of this and it’s not bad at all.
It’s a little on the funky side, with lime peel astringency and like bruised melon/stone fruit.
It’s obviously a bit lighter and lacks some balance but doable definitely.

Ordered this a restaurant for my birthday so I didn’t catch the batch no. But it was tasty. Very classic karwinskii in terms of flavours and aromas. Green, vegetal, etc. Would try again.

On the nose freshly roasted agave, acetone and wet gravel.
The palate it’s clean but pretty thin. An ensamble that lacks extraction. It’s thin and short with some warmth (only 40%). I got this at a good discount and such would be useful for mixed drinks. Otherwise, a mezcal sipper would not be impressed.
Let’s go with 3.25*

Just had about a small amount of this one so I didn’t get a batch or bottle number but I didn’t mind it.
It’s definitely got some fruit up front and a slight cuishe-y funkiness on the finish which was a bit saline and not very long.
Overall it would work for a cocktail but I’d only recommend that if it cost 20% less than what it’s selling for here.

Lote M-7, botella 184/450

Very nice and milk chocolate-ty with a spine of unique, ripe maguey.
Starts out softer but ends long and a tiny bit dirty, in a good way. Truly delicious.
I’ll come back to this.

Batch: CH01-19CA
Bottle: 68/163

Dear god this is insane. Viscous and delightful. It’s almost like an alcohol-sugar balanced thawed freezie if that makes sense.
Grapefruit juice, pith and peel for sure. And all the starburst people are saying.
Happy day.

This batch is 2015 or 2016. Similar to the Del Maguey chichicapa. A bit more smoke. Clay, leather and black olive.
Decent balance that’s good for mixed drinks but also definitely could be sipped.

Edition 16 (2016)
Botella 188/1050

Lots of cedar on the nose immediately upon opening. Bruised fruit, some floral notes…and like mashed potatoes? A bit metallic as well.
Very creamy/oily texture. ultra long on the finish as a result.
Warm but not unbalanced for abv
Definitely cooked fruit element carrying through.
Not cheap but very good. Between a 4.25 and 4.5 star.

I was so pumped when a friend was able to get this for me. Pretty rare stuff.

Lote: PPD010
Botella: SVV1676

Wow. When I opened this up the smell was absolutely insane! Like old fashioned pink bubblegum and wintergreen. Vanilla, light mesquite and tropical notes as well.
Flavour is explosive. It’s got a rich texture and is super concentrated. Aromas follow through on the tongue. Some fire and tingle on the finish. l am still trying to sort it all out. Right now I would say 4.5+ stars so I just said give it a 5 as I can see this evolving over time. If you see this, GRAB IT. One of the best I have ever had.

Thought I’d left this review sooner but…
It was one of my first introductions into mezcal but it’s overly sweet, unbalanced. Made for cocktails at best.
I like certain del magueys as a unique sipper. Not this unfortunately…

I just finished my last couple ounces last night and realized I had this for like a year and didn’t review it!
Lot: PPDE-01 (I think, hard to read)
Bottle: 474/540

I gotta say this is really nice stuff. Great complexity… pleasantly salty and minerality, some peppercorn some fruit, well balanced too.
I wish I had more notes to give but it’s gone! Just get it if you see it. Wicked bang for buck!

No Lot on the BTL ? but I like this.
Nose- Pleasant grassy, green earthiness that is there without being overwhelming.
I’m not getting a ton of the anise it’s known for but it’s apparent for sure. Roasted pineapple and mint as well.
Palate- lemon/citrus peel, eucalyptus and a nice texture. Balance is really good for 50%, as is the value.

La Calzonuda Rancho, Nov. 2018
Lot: 37, 1297 L, BTL: 77/90
I want to first start by saying I was confused because this is the Manson de Sahuayo (Cenizo) but the bottle I have looks like the Pechuga (newer label?) that’s on this site not the one pictured here.
I digress, delicate, ,a bit “corky” (TCA) on the nose, warm, but still has some brightness like watermelon rind.
Not complicated and tingley with a good length on the finish.
Honestly, I did want a bit more from this it’s just alright.