El Jolgorio Tepeztate Mezcal

This has a very vegetal aroma, like decaying squash, lettuce, and corn. It's an interesting, organic scent, but not a particularly pleasant one. At least it smells a bit sweet. Ugh, the palate tastes like rotting vegetables with mint and smoke! The squash is overwhelmingly present. Even for a mezcal, this is quite difficult to drink. There's a lot of umami, but it doesn't improve my enjoyment of this spirit. Hints of floral and sweetness emerge, with vague references to honey within the sweetness. It's interesting in a way that suggests skillful execution, but I don't find it enjoyable. It's akin to appreciating an artistic film. There are also notes of lamb and pork present. Despite its intrigue, I frankly dislike it. It's unsurprising that others enjoy it, but it seems to be trying too hard. This is a genuine challenge to consume. It successfully achieves whatever it's aiming for, but I don't particularly care for its objective. This is like the earthy, natural mezcal for the progressive crowd. Yes, it tastes natural, but how good does it taste? The flavors are distinct and accurately represent what they are supposed to be, but they don't bring me joy; they just seem interesting. Some alcohol heat is present (reasonable for this ABV) and prevents me from elevating this score to 13 for its originality. It gets a 12 for not tasting all that great. Perhaps the 25-year-old agave contributes to a truly unique flavor? Actually, as I take the final sip, complexity emerges with a blend of fruits and vegetables that ebb and flow. Okay, you can have that score increase to 13, but I won't go higher based on my tasting experience.

Edition: 16, Harvest: 2017, 48%ABV The old, gnarled tepeztate... Aromas of bubblegum, a bit earthy like hay bales or dry leaves, and VERY “green” notes reminiscent of bell peppers, grilled asparagus, and poblano peppers. Some tropical notes like mango are also apparent, as well as some green herbal and floral notes. There's a lot happening here, but it's very harmonious. The taste is loaded with bright green bell pepper and poblano peppers, very spicy, grassy, more green herbs, vanilla/cinnamon, just a touch of mint, and finishes with a nice earthy smokiness, with that chili pepper spiciness still tingling on the tongue. Awesome Tepeztate! If it's anything like this, it's worth the price. If you enjoy earthy, green vegetal, herbal, spicy mezcals, this one is for you. It tastes like its age.

Intense saltiness and smoke, minimal fruit, and not my top pick from El Jolgorio, but still quite good. 93

Pleasant, fruity aroma with melon and citrus, moderate smoke, complex flavors, moderate spice, medium body.

Earthy, minty nose, with notes of leather and light smoke on the palate.

A smoky finish, with a strong start.