Brands
Mezcal Bottles
Learning Center11 Best Smoky Mezcals to Try in 2024
For those of you who crave a more intense smoke, this list will walk you through our top picks. We selected these bottles based on: Overall smokiness, quality of taste, and affordability. And voila, the result is a list of the best smoky mezcals you can get your hands on either in bottle shops or online. We will rate each bottle on a scale of 1 to 5 š„ emojis depending on the level of smokiness. Note: These bottles are not ordered in order of smokiness.
Montelobos Espadin
Montelobos is the mezcal version of The Little Engine That Could. As a mass-produced mezcal owned by the Campari Group, it's undeservedly written off by the mezcal hipsters of the world. It's perpetually underrated in the mezcal community, and we won't stand for it. At a shockingly low $29 a bottle, you get a ton of value. It's heads-and-tails above its competitors in its low-priced category. It's completely drinkable as a sipper, and great in cocktails. Expect an earthy mouthfeel, a hint of sweetness, and some solid smoke on the backend. This one is a no-brainer.
Campfire rating: š„š„š„
Del Maguey Vida
This bottle is so approachable I would feel comfortable recommending to any beginner. Incorrectly labeled as a "cocktail mezcal", we have zero problems sipping it straight. It has almost zero bite on the palate or noxious blowback on the sinuses that you typically expect with cheaper espadins. Its ABV also comes in a bit one the lower end at 42%, which partially explains how easy is to drink. On the scale of zero You can easily track down Vida bottles online or in liquor stores for about $30-40.
Campfire rating: š„š„š„š„
Ilegal Joven
This bottle is an absolute smokeshow. When sampling these mezcals to create the list, I had to re-rank every mezcal after I got to the Ilegal Joven. It. Is. Potent. I first tried Ilegal in a bar called Cafe No Se in Antigua, Guatemala where the brand originated. The owner used to illegally smuggle (hence the name) his mezcal into the bar and sell it to guests. You can still get a copita of mezcal and a beer for 50 pesos! The mezcal itself has a little more bite than some of the others on the list, so I wouldn't recommend it for beginners (at least for sipping straight). It's great for cocktails, and at a price of $35-45 per bottle, it's a staple for any home bar.
Campfire rating: š„š„š„š„š„
Alipus San Juan
At $50-60 per bottle, the Alipus San Juan is a little more rough around the edges than I would expect for the price tag. It's really, really hot on the nose. We recommend opening it, then letting sit for a month or two - this sometimes helps a bottle "cool off." Out of the Alipus lineup (which I particularly respect), I put the San Juan in the bottom tier. That said, it's still worthy of a tasting if you spot a bottle at your next mezcal bar.
Campfire rating: š„š„š„
Wahaka Espadin
This espadin is right in the middle of the road for us: Decent for sipping, great for cocktails, affordable, and has a moderate level of smoke. Nothing in particular really "wows" you - it's just a good, decent mezcal at an affordable price (about $35-40). And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. The brand itself is known for having a very respectable lineup of mezcals, so keep your eye out for other higher-end magueys to compare the espadin against.
Campfire rating: š„š„š„
El Buho Mezcal
I have yet to encounter a Buho mezcal that I wouldn't buy again. In fact, there is always a minimum of one Buho mezcal in my home bar at any given time. Like many others on this list, I'll take the Buho espadin happily as a sipper or in a cocktail. As an added bonus, you can find this bottle in a larger one liter offering for about $40-50 online, which I would consider an absolute steal. The smokiness is slightly shy relative to the rest of this list, but there's still enough to satisfy.
Campfire rating: š„š„
Del Maguey Chichicapa
If you want to add a high-quality espadin to your bar, Chichicapa is a mandatory starting point. As a matter of fact, it was the first bottle I added to my home bar. Jumping up into a higher quality tier of espadins, you're going to be paying proportionately more per bottle (around $80). But it's basically a rite-of-passage for any mezcal enthusiast. In terms of flavors, this bottle is a bit on mild side with a less pungent initial impression than the other espadins, followed by a slightly oily/viscous texture and earthy notes, and of course, a nice waft of smoke.
Campfire rating: š„š„š„
El Silencio Espadin
The beautiful bottle and low price tags are the best parts about this mezcal. To sum this bottle up, I would describe it as big on smoke and bland on flavor. It's almost exactly the same price point and typically the same availability as the Montelobos, so if you were on a desert island and forced to choose between the two, take the Montelobos. That said, if you want to make a smoky impression come through in your cocktail, this is a good option.
Campfire rating: š„š„š„š„
Montelobos Ensamble
The Montelobos espadin is probably the best quality-to-value mezcal you'll find on the market. It beats out the competition in the affordable mezcal category, but it can't compete higher-tier mezcals. The Ensamble offering IS a higher tier mezcal, and does compete with upper-tier mezcals. As the name suggests, it's an "ensamble" of different agaves. This ensamble includes espadin, tobalĆ”, and papalote, resulting in a very fruity and vegetal taste with a hint of smoke on the backend. At $80-90 per bottle, you'll taste what you're paying for.
Campfire rating: š„š„
Vago Elote ā Aquilino GarcĆa LĆ³pez
The Vago Elote is going to taste WAY different than anything else on the list. While this mezcal is an espadin like most of the others, the flavor is completely unique as a result of the corn (elote) added during the distillation process. I swear, it tastes exactly like cream corn. It's also way sweeter than any other mezcal I've tasted, which makes it significantly more approachable for beginners. You can easily drink A LOT of it, and make some mistakes in the process. Expect a smooth, creamy flavor with hints of roasted corn and a waft of smoke. It's a no-brainer to keep stocked on your shelf.
Campfire rating: š„š„
Del Maguey Pechuga
"Pechuga" is a style mezcal that usually involves adding a meat protein and seasonal fruits (like apples, plums, etc.) to the distillation process. It sounds crazy, but they actually pass the alcohol steam through a raw chicken breast, resulting in a savory and rich flavor unlike any other style. Let's not beat around the bush here, this bottle WILL break your bank at a minimum price of $180 online. If you do decide to reach for this bottle, you'll be rewarded by a light smoke on the nose, an oily/viscous consistency, and a savory and fruity flavor. It won't be your go-to bottle, but on special occasions it's perfect.
Campfire rating: š„š„