The best 12 sipping mezcals in 2024 according to experts

This might be the best mezcal you ever try, and I'll die on that hill. (And at $250+ per bottle, I would sure hope so.) The San Martinero is made from a varietal of Karwinskii, also known as "Barril" in some regions. The initial expression is flowery and smooth - and when I say "smooth" I mean there is next to zero ethanol detected on the nose or the palate. The flavor then evolves into a floral, woodsy and savory sensation with a buttercream mouthfeel. The finish has just a slight puff of smoke. It's one of well-balanced mezcals you'll find (if you can find it).

Review: 5/5

The El Jolgorio Tepeztate is frankly a staple for any home mezcal collection - if you don't have a bottle, you're not doing it right. Coming in at $160 per bottle, it sets the standard for what a "Luxury" mezcal truly means. For the beginner aficionados out there, I will warn you that this is not the most approachable bottle for beginners. The initial bite on the palate is sharp with ethanol, then evolves into an extremely floral and peppery kick. Typical of most tepeztates, you'll get a strong vegetal whiff of a farmer's market punctuated by green bell peppers. It's complex, floral, and damned good.

Review: 4.5/5

Anything you buy from Real Minero is going to blow your socks off, but the Largo is regarded by the mezcal community as their flagship offering. The Largo is made from a varietal of the Karwinskii agave and comes in at about $180 a bottle. For Karwinskii lovers, this sets the bar. Expect lots of fruit, pine needles, and a slightly mineral mouthfeel. The next time you see a bottle at a mezcal bar, don't pass up on the opportunity to give it try.

Review: 4.75/5

This is just an incredible bottle. Throw away everything you think you know about madrecuixes, because this one breaks all the rules. It has a musty smell, and rich and complex flavor instead of the light-drinking, floral flavor with watery viscosity you'd expect. If you can find a bottle online it'll run you about $120 - don't hesitate, just pull the trigger. For that matter, never hesitate on any 5 Sentidos bottle you're on the fence about. You're getting luxury quality for a lower price.

Review: 5/5

The Masparillo comes from the Maximiliana agave from Durango, and it's unlike any mezcal you will ever smell or taste. The Maximiliana is scientifically very different from any other agave, and might even be reclassified in the future. As for this bottle, it's a must-have for any home collection. The first thing that will strike your senses is the strong perfume aroma - it's like walking through a cloud of aromatic mist. The taste is complex and smooth with a savory mouthfeel and clean finish. This is a hidden gem - buy the first bottle you see.

Review: 5/5

If you don't want to spring for a $160 bottle of El Jolgorio tep, you can snag a this bottle for about $110-120, and you might even enjoy it better. You'll pick up very little ethanol bite on the first sip, jumping straight into fresh green bell peppers and a crisp finish. Rey Campero never disappoints, but their tepeztate offering is nothing short of phenomenal.

4.75/5

Mezcal Vago is firmly planted in upper range of the average-priced mezcals. Any bottle you get from Vago will not disappoint. Out of the Vagos we've tried, the madrecuish by Emigdio Jarquin is a standout. It's everything you would expect from a good madrecuishe, done very, very well. The nose is floral and light with a mineral and watery mouthfeel. It's extremely drinkable. Dangerously so. You can pick up a bottle from about $90-99 online and sometimes in stores.

Review: 4.5/5

Mal Bien is the definition of a bang-for-your-buck brand. We have yet to taste one of their bottles that wasn't surprising and highly addictive. The tobaxiche is easily a team favorite - as a matter of fact, out of our extensive home cabinet of premium and luxury bottles, we reach for this bottle more often than most. It has a lot of characteristics of a good karwinskii: vegetal, bright, and a bit sweet. But there is an added wrinkle - it tastes like a green Jolly Rancher. There is no other way to describe the flavor. You can pick up a bottle for just under $100.

Review: 4.75/5

This Cenizo comes from Durango, also known as Agave Durangensis. This is a great everyday sipper because it's so forgiving on the palate. For that reason we would recommend it for beginners. You'll get very little ethanol on the nose or palate on the first sip. It has a very creamy, almost buttery mouthfeel with a soft finish. You can drink this all day. Prices range dramatically - we've picked up a bottle for $80, and have seen them for $100+ online. Keep your eye open for good deals.

Review: 4/5

Say what you want about mass produced mezcals, this is an example of a company doing it right. Incorrectly labeled as purely a cocktail mixer, the Montelobos Espadin drinks just fine. And for those of you looking for a solid kick of smoke, you'll get that and then some. It's not the most refined flavor, but you'll still be happy. You can pick up a bottle for about $29. If you see one marked up to $40, look elsewhere, you'd be overpaying.

Review: 3.75/5

Having a bottle of Vida is like having a bottle of ketchup in your fridge, you just need to have it. And at $30 a bottle, why not? The flavor isn't going to blow you away, but it's surprisingly smooth, smoky, and easy to drink. Along with the Montelobos it's a great introductory mezcal for new drinkers. It also works great in a cocktail.

Review: 3.5/5

Ilegal has a fun story - the founder used to smuggle bottles over the border into his bar (aply named Ilegal) to Antigua, Guatemala. The Ilegal Joven is probably the smokiest bottle on this list - it's a campfire in your mouth. You won't get the refined flavors of the more prestigious bottles on the list. but you will be getting a respectable mezcal for $30 or less. You can find bottles everywhere.