Impact-Site-Verification: e1b24198-d4a1-4c4c-be39-8d8bcb37ecd0
Mezcal – the agave spirit better known as tequila's cooler and smokier cousin – has experienced a lot of hype over the past few years.
Production numbers are soaring and more people outside of Mexico are discovering this liquor that has an incredibly diverse range of taste notes. From smokey to sweet, citrus to clay, and cinnamon to pepper, there is a whole world for your taste buds to discover.
Produced from a huge variety of agave species, there are many different botanicals, distillers, producers, resulting in thousands of different mezcals. As in many other areas, the biggest brands are usually far from the best.
On mezcalpros.com you will find an overview of the best mezcals and manufacturers in their respective subtypes – and also where to find a certain mezcal online. Whether you're just discovering mezcal for the first time or looking for new, delicious varieties, we’ve got you covered!
Del Maguey ("of the agave") presents an extensive collection produced in remote villages in the state of Oaxaca, characterized by their individual region of origin and local, traditional production methods. This brand was the first to market “Single Village Mezcal”, assigning each badge to the respective village.
Del Maguey is undisputedly one of big brands with the highest quality, producing fantastic varietal mezcals year after year, and emphasizing the true stars from the beginning: the producers and mezcaleros from the villages in Oaxaca.
In Mexico, Jolgorios are small folk festivals that are held throughout Oaxaca. An integral part of these festivals is, you guessed it, mezcal. In 2010, the Cortes family, which has a long experience in mezcal production, began to assemble a collective of top maestro mezcaleros under the El Jolgorio brand.
El Jolgorio represents 16 different mezcal producers from 10 different regions throughout Oaxaca. Their mezcals have won an abundance of awards over the last 10 years.
Real Minero, crafted by the dedicated Ángeles family in Oaxaca, stands as one of the finest mezcals available. With decades of tradition behind them, the family places a strong emphasis on sustainability, passionately preserving agave plants and their rich heritage.
While Real Minero has transitioned to labeling their product as "mezcal spirit" rather than "mezcal", this change doesn't diminish its exceptional quality. The essence and craftsmanship behind the spirit remain as impeccable as ever.
The upcoming Los Siete Misterios was founded in 2010 in order to preserve traditional mezcal production. The company's mission is to represent and support rural Mexican customs, culture and passion for Mezcal products.
The name translates to "The Seven Mysteries" and is a reference to the many mysteries that surround Mexico. The number seven represents the seven different mezcals (Espadin, Barril, Mexicano, Coyote, Arroqueno, Tobala, Doba-yej) being produced. Each mezcal is made from a different variety of the agave plant, all of them grown organically. The plants grow in different microclimates throughout Mexico.
Montelobos is a loved brand among mezcal connoisseurs, and rightly so: the brand places a lot of emphasis on sustainability as well as traditional production methods.
The biologist and agave expert Iván Saldana makes it his mission to share all his knowledge about agaves and the production of mezcal with agave farmers and mezcaleros to produce mezcals of special quality.
Pierde Almas not only produces excellent mezcal, but also works sacrificially for the preservation of nature and culture. The reforestation program of wild agave species organized by the company plays an important role in the conservation of many species.
The well-guarded family recipe, traditional techniques and a high degree of creativity and daring (as in the "Pierde Almas +9 Botanicals", a cross between mezcal and gin) make Pierde Almas a true heavyweight among mezcal producers.
Despite the modern appearance, the owners of Wahaka Mezcal make one thing very clear: the production is traditional, no compromises. Although founded only 10 years ago, the manufacturing family from San Dionisio Ocotepec has generations of experience. There is no modern machinery at the Wahaka Palenque, only time-honored methods - and each step of the process is given plenty of time to retain its full flavor impact.
In its short history, Wahaka has already been able to collect several awards for their delicious artisanal mezcal and can be called one of the best mezcal brands of the moment.
As with every other quality liquor like Whisky, Tequila or Vodka, you can easily spend far beyond $100 for a good bottle of Mezcal. But don’t worry, there are plenty of good options for under $50. You don't need to be a millionaire to afford good mezcal
This is the “standard” agave plant for Mezcal. About 90% of all Mezcals are distilled from the Espadin Maguey.
The average age for an espadin agave to be harvested lies between 8-12 years. It is easily cultivated and can grow in many different terrains and altitudes, which is why you can get a quality Espadin for a good price.
This artisanal Mezcal Joven Espadín (“young” = unaged Espadín Mezcal) from Oaxaca has won several awards throughout the years. It is made of 7-8 year old agaves and distilled in copper. Its taste is well-balanced, smoky and earthy and contains a little bit of sweetness. A perfect example for a solid and sound Joven Mezcal that can be sipped or used in cocktails. With its 40% ABV, it is on the rather low-alcohol side of the spectrum.
Seen by many as the “king” of mezcal plants, the Tobala agave is a wild plant that only grows in high altitude. This, its small size and long growing periods of 12-15 years makes it increasingly rare (and pricey).
There are two different types of this agave, one growing in the sun (Tobala Chino) and one in the shades (Tobala Orejon), both with very distinct taste profiles.
Del Maguey Tobalá is certainly not the cheapest choice, but if you're looking for a high quality and interesting mezcal Tobalá, it's definitely the right one. The agaves are cooked underground and then left for 30 days. The resulting mold gives the mezcal an exciting kick and a sweet, fruity note with a hint of citrus. 46% ABV.
“Pechuga” is definitely the most peculiar cousin in the family. The name Pechuga ( meaning “breast” in Spanish) derives from a very unusual distillation technique, in which a piece of raw chicken breast is hung inside the still.
While the heat of the distillation process cooks the chicken, the meat’s juices and fat drip into the liquor and give it more depth and a savory touch. The whole process is quite complicated, which makes Pechuga Mezcal a rather pricey hobby. These are three of the best Pechuga bottles you can find.
Bozal Mezcal is a small-scale, artisanal brand from Mexico that celebrates the wild side of the Mezcal world. Their wild agaves come from the steep hillsides of both Oaxaca and Guerrero, resulting in a unique flavor profile. Bozal uses traditional extraction methods like earthen pit ovens and the stone tahona wheel to crush the agave hearts. Bozal's simple but iconic bottle design make their mezcals stand out on every shelf.
Traditionally, Mezcal is not aged or stored in barrils. It was not until 2016 that the class "Mezcal Madurado" (=aged mezcal) was officially recognized.
Whisky lovers will be particularly pleased with an Añejo or reposado, because the notes formed by storage in barrels give the mezcal a similar flavor profile. While Reposado matures between 2 and 12 months, it takes at least a year for an Añejo.
This fine Añejo Mezcal is a tribute to the owner's grandmother, who loved barrel-aged mezcal. It is made exclusively from agave durangensis, typical of the northern state of Durango, where this mezcal is produced. The aging process gives it a smooth texture and a note of vanilla. By the way, the producing Gutierrez family has the goal of planting 50,000 new agaves every year in order to produce sustainably. 40% ABV.
With an aging time of 4 months, this Mezcal is on the milder side of the Reposado spectrum. Especially for whiskey and tequila friends, this golden-brown Mezcal is well suited, because the aging in American oak brings out similar flavors, such as vanilla, pear, toffee or bitter orange. 40% ABV.
Traditionally, Mezcal used to be sipped, like a good Whisky – until mixologists discovered its wide palette of flavors and variety of usage.
Nowadays, cocktails like a Mezcal Sour, Mezcalita (or Mezcal Margarita) for the citrus lovers, Mezcal Negroni on the bitter side or Paloma can be found on cocktail menus throughout Mexico, the US and the world.
Typically, the variant used for a mezcal cocktail is an unaged Mezcal Espadin (or “Espadin Joven” = young). On the one hand, it is not too strong, so it doesn’t overpower the other flavors in your drink.
On the other hand, the tastes from plant to plant can vary widely (depending on altitude, age and other factors), which gives you a lot of space for creativity mixing your drink.
Brands
Mezcal Bottles
Learning Center