Del Maguey Minero Santa Catarina Minas Mezcal

The aroma is honey, burning beeswax, eucalyptus, menthol, butterscotch, pineapple, and lime. As the scent opens up and the initial alcohols dissipate, it integrates beautifully. There's a faint ashy undertone, but it's not a smoky aroma; more like citrus fruit slices dipped in embers. The taste begins with a soft, herbal, and sweet entry, with light citrus in the background. The development brings a wave of sweet chili spice that coats the tongue and fills the mouth with rich, creamy warmth. The finish is long. Initially a little drying and salty after the chili heat, it then turns sweet again. The mouthfeel is rich and rounded. This is a most delicious mezcal with a warm, sweet chili and fruit character and a satisfying touch of oiliness to the texture. There is some trace smoke, but it is not really smoky. In many ways, this mezcal complements the Chichicapa (which is smokier, saltier, and more minty). The two expressions enhance each other very well.

This is a dependable espadín mezcal. It might be a bit pricey, but it holds its own and is a nice step up from Del Maguey Vida. The challenge with this bottle is that while suitable for cocktails, its cost makes that purpose questionable. It's also not a top-tier neat mezcal, placing it in a middle ground where it's not exceptional in either category. The aroma has some smoke, less intense than Vida, with wet clay notes. The palate offers lemon zest, with a somewhat sweet and creamy character. It's actually quite fruity. The finish is rather long with mineral notes and minimal burn. Compared to Vida, it's a solid neat drink, though better options exist (like Del Maguey Chichicapa). Overall, it's a solid espadín, but many may find it too unexciting to buy a whole bottle.

I had the opportunity to try a fantastic collection of mezcals, including this one. While all were enjoyable, this particular drink is best savored when fresh. Several samples, like this one, were somewhat muted despite their appeal. While there are distinct differences among them, having a fresh Del Maguey before the Chichicapa revealed how much more vibrant the latter was. Because of this, I won't be rating or providing further details, and will instead direct you to the excellent reviews from a friend.

An ideal bottle to open this evening while watching the new Luke Cage on Netflix: it has an earthy, mineral quality with a pronounced smoky finish. Del Maguey appears to be excelling in the Mezcal market by focusing on single-village production or rare agaves rather than common espadins. They are also making Mezcal the traditional way, using stone ground pinas. If you enjoy Islay or Island malts, you will appreciate these. Imagine replacing the briny or peaty scents with a mineral-like clay, followed by earthy green leaf on the palate, and then the gentle Islay smoke.

This is my first time trying mezcal, and I'm really excited about it. The aroma is agave, vegetal, rubber, and lemon. The taste is a wild party. Savory herbs, clay, and smoke, plus the slightly sweet agave. The finish is warm, long, and incredibly complex. This is a totally new experience for me and just as mind-blowing as the first time I tasted an Islay single malt.

I sought out a premium Mezcal, and after reading reviews, I chose this one. I'm pleased with my decision. It's significantly different from many of the less expensive Mezcals I've sampled before. The smoke is much milder, with sweeter, honey and fruit flavors taking the lead. The finish is very lengthy and the mouthfeel is thick. Based on my limited experience, it's definitely a 5/5.