La Luna Cupreata Mezcal

Rating: 16/23 This might be my first experience with a cupreata mezcal, so I'm eager to taste it. I'm hoping for a distinct profile that differentiates it from an espadin. Nose: Tangy, cheesy, intensely funky. Yes, this is definitely not an espadin! A touch of vegetal bitterness and faint herbal decay, though that could easily be attributed to the cheese. Some sweetness is present, but again, that might be the cheese. Ah, finally, a hint of something other than cheese. I can't quite identify it, but it's enveloped in a light layer of alcohol and a smoky embrace. The smoke is intensifying as it airs out, actually. To clarify the cheese aroma: it's extremely pungent. Like gorgonzola combined with a washed-rind cheese, perhaps. I'm perplexed by this nose and can't decide if I enjoy it. Is it complex? I'm not sure about that either. Palate: Sweet and sour initially, then funky and savory (while still maintaining the sweet and sour character). Similar to clean water with lemon, quickly followed by the gorgonzola, which then transforms into the washed rind. Some earthy notes emerge, followed by smoke. There's a subtle taste resembling the raw agave leaves. Green apple occasionally emerges from that sweetness and tartness. This is quite a complex spirit. While challenging, it's well-balanced to my taste. I do detect a note that some might describe as vomit, but I still appreciate this unique profile. Finish: Cheesy, with lemon zest, and a drying sensation. Slightly sweet, yet strangely clean tasting. A bit raw, but not excessively vegetal. Hints of white pepper and herbs. - Conclusion - This is truly excellent. I was pleased to discover a non-espadin mezcal at such a low price (in fact, even a good espadin can be difficult to find at this price point), but I was prepared for this to be merely an interesting spirit with a lasting impression. Delighting me, this is genuinely enjoyable. I need to actively seek out more cupreata and more from this producer. There's no way I'm giving this less than a 16. The complexity and balance are simply outstanding. It possesses a quality akin to Ardbeg 10, where it may not be the absolute pinnacle of what it could be, but it's a superb example of a funky style and a surprisingly great value. In terms of specific flavors, the vegetal characteristics here bear a resemblance to Laphroaig 10. I believe it's quite close to that in terms of quality. And now I realize I don't have an updated rating for Laphroaig 10. I was considering it a 17. I think it's most likely above a 16 and could even be an 18. This suggests that the La Luna has a strong possibility of being a 17. An 18 seems improbable for the La Luna, but not impossible. I'm very close to awarding this a 17, but it lacks the mature balance found in the Laphroaig. It has the potential for it, though, so I'd be very interested to sample a lightly oaked version of this that had been allowed more time to breathe.

Nearly colorless. Swirls with a nice viscosity. The aroma immediately brings cream and vanilla, which I didn't expect for mezcal, almost like vanilla pudding. Barely any smoke. Hints of cooked carrots appear around the edges but don't overwhelm; the vegetal qualities are subtle. This throws me off, and I'm unsure if it's the cupreata agave or the distillery's signature style. It's not bad at all, just different. Overall, high quality. No alcohol burn despite the substantial proof. Cream reappears at the start of the palate, with a pleasant, thick texture. It's mild with gentle sweetness. The viscosity is incredible for a bit, then minerality emerges and cleanses the palate. A slight metallic hint, copper, remains throughout the finish. The vanilla cream persists, and along with the thickness, it again suggests pudding. A flash of char precedes the finish, but not the smoky notes I'm accustomed to. It's salty, chalky, yet possesses well-controlled sweetness. Bell pepper, jasmine, and honey water are also present. To be honest, each element of this is very appealing on its own, but I can't shake the feeling that they don't quite harmonize as well as I'd hoped. This makes the final result feel like just the sum of its components, or maybe even a little less. I admit this is my initial tasting, straight from the bottle. It's clearly made with skill, but I'll need to reassess it as I go through the bottle to see if my opinion changes. Regardless, it's a great value for a quality spirit if these flavor profiles appeal to you. No buyer's remorse for the cost. Update: It works much better in a mezcal mule than anticipated, especially with a sweet ginger beer (Gosling's) that complements the vanilla.

From Lot 6, Bottle 17, at 45.22 % alcohol. This is my first experience with a spirit from Michoacan and also my first Cupreata. On the nose, there's apple cider vinegar, apricots, a subtle note of strawberry, and rubbing alcohol. The palate brings more apricot, a touch of pastis, tropical fruit hard candies, and a peculiar fruit/plastic combination that eludes precise description, it’s bold but not off-putting. I detect no smokiness. The lengthy finish has a sweetness reminiscent of caramelized onions. Strange, but I enjoy it. I am keen to try more Cupreata expressions to see how they compare.

Pleasant earthy and raw character. You can perceive the gritty agave flavors. If you desire artisanal mezcal, start with this.

Smells faintly of smoke and vanilla. Tastes of aloe, citrus, and a respectable amount of smoke. Smooth finish with minimal burn.

A nose of earthy, charred agave. Medium-bodied. Flavors of spicy agave, earthiness, and crushed fruits. A potent finish.