Ilegal Mezcal Reposado

Expanding my palate beyond wine and whiskey, I'm trying mezcal. This was an impulse buy. While shopping for wine to make risotto, I saw a new bottle, the Compass Box Circus, but it was too pricey. A helpful employee then recommended this mezcal, suggesting it's for fans of Laga 16. It's surprisingly good. The aroma is smoky and grassy. The flavor is mineral, herbal, and smoky-sweet. It doesn't resemble Laga 16 at all, but it's quite enjoyable. The finish is long and mineral-like, similar to a Pinot Grigio. I should avoid shopping when the knowledgeable employee from Oaxaca is working to prevent further unplanned purchases. While I appreciate discussing Oaxacan moles, I'm not sure I need another mezcal.

It's mezcal week here at Modern Drinking HQ, coinciding with Passover, a holiday commemorating my ancestors' desert journey sustained solely by agave spirits. I abstain from whiskey during these eight days, as the Exodus narrative suggests my people had no time for spirit maturation before their hurried departure, or something along those lines – my recollection of the details may be imprecise. Regardless, this mezcal is my second from Ilegal, following the excellent Anejo I sampled two years ago. Here, the typical vegetal aroma is complemented by hints of jasmine, smoke, and cream. The initial taste is dry, akin to gin, before evolving into sweet and creamy flavors. The prolonged finish is gently smoky with a creamy aftertaste. This is an approachable mezcal, suitable as an introduction for Scotch or gin enthusiasts venturing into this spirit. While not as striking as the Anejo, it offers better value at approximately two-thirds the cost, particularly for stocking up for extended journeys.

An intense Agave Spirit from the Ilegal company, distilled at Destileria Tlacolula NOM-O01X in Oaxaca, Mexico, double distilled in copper stills. It's then aged in American oak before bottling. It has an aromatic beginning with notes of wood, caramel, baked agave, cassia bark & chili; while a full life adds notes of butterscotch, caramel, soft wood smoke, cedar, pipe tobacco, agave & dried herbs; that led to a complex death of medium length with notes of oak cocoa powder & orange rind. April 2017

Opened 2.5 years ago Nose: Smoked agave, bright honey, spicy pickle, black pepper, and moderate ethanol. Palate: Light, sweet agave syrup, grilled bell peppers, brine, and vanilla extract. The finish is medium-short with black pepper, smoked peppers, and light ethanol. I've had this for some time, and it's unremarkable. I tend to avoid espadin these days; other varieties are far more interesting without any barrel aging.

Sampled over a round ice cube. It's incredibly smooth right away. I'll need to taste it neat soon... as I sip it more, it definitely becomes diluted. I believe I could drink this neat more easily than over ice. Stand by for updates...

This is my initial experience with mezcal. Just as scotch relates to bourbon, this relates to tequila! It's smoky and sharp with notes of lime, earth, dry leaves, and wood smoke. It has a slightly pleasant numbing effect. It's a bit peppery.