Los Vecinos del Campo Espadin Mezcal

Rating: 15/23 I'm quite frustrated that I failed to document my impressions of this when I first sampled it. I distinctly recall being profoundly impressed. The kind of "holy cow, I had no idea mezcal could achieve this level of quality!" impression. And this was consistent across multiple tastings. That was some time ago. The bottle remains largely full and has been sealed since then. I'm hopeful it will retain its quality. Nose: It presents a fairly typical mezcal aroma with smoke and a medicinal herbal bitterness that melds into slightly acidic corn tortilla and a somewhat savory note, akin to lightly grilled chicken breast with chipotle and turmeric. I'm slowly detecting more subtle complexities, but I'm struggling to pinpoint them. The familiar gasoline scent is present, but it complements the good complexity and balance of the nose. Palate: Quite smoky with a significant amount of menthol and a peppery heat that resembles a chili rather than the typical black or white pepper. There's a pleasant savory, meaty character too, and it gradually unveils some agreeable subtle sweetness, revealing caramelized pineapple with perhaps a faint hint of banana, then incorporating a touch of kefir and other bitter herbs that possess decent complexity, though I honestly find them difficult to identify. It's subtle, yet quite intricate. It's intriguing and a very pleasing palate. However, it lacks the robust richness of Del Maguey Chichicapa and has a somewhat watery sweetness that is somewhat disheartening. That watery sweetness often irks me in various situations. When contrasted with other potent spirits, like rye, the diluted mineral sweetness is quite noticeable. Finish: The smoke and medicinal bitterness persist for a considerable duration, reminiscent of an Islay scotch. It's highly palatable, and I appreciate its lasting presence. A faint bitter, charred meaty note is present, but it's minimal. There's some diluted sugar lingering, but it's predominantly a dry finish. Some cool menthol appears intermittently to offset the sweetness. Mezcal presents a challenging category for novices, but this is a well-balanced mezcal that represents the style while remaining complex and relatively accessible (for mezcal). Del Maguey Chichicapa offers a rich profile, more akin to a bourbon blended with Islay scotch, making it potentially a superior introduction for a whiskey drinker, though it's less emblematic of a classic joven mezcal and carries a price tag more than three times higher. I would definitely not suggest more expensive mezcals made with rarer agave varietals such as madre-cuishe, tobala, or arroqueño, nor would I advise a beginner to spend a lot on a pechuga. This is comparable to the Eagle Rare of mezcals: a good starting point due to its representative nature and (relative) approachability (it doesn't taste like cough syrup or cigarette butts), plus its affordability. It also appeals to experienced enthusiasts, though it might not be their top choice. I must say, I genuinely enjoy this. Considering the price, it's an excellent discovery. It holds its own against Del Maguey Chicicapa despite its less intense profile. With my palate properly adjusted, this is quite delightful for sipping. I still consider Chichicapa a considerably superior mezcal due to its richness, but this is very good at less than half the cost. I'm currently considering a score between 15 and 16 for this, though a 14 or 17 is conceivable. Occasionally, the diluted sweetness makes me question if it's a 12 or 13. This seems closest to a 15. Well, a high 15, bordering on a 16. It's about one point lower than Chichicapa, which is quite respectable given its cost is less than half. The perplexing aspect is that this difference is just enough to technically separate my ratings of the two by 2 points. Despite assigning this a 15, Chichicapa a 17, and Casamigos Mezcal a 14, I feel that this and Chichicapa are more similar. The key distinction is that this is a high 15, while Casamigos is a low 14. However, I'd be happy to drink any of them:)

Giving Mezcal a second chance. My initial experience wasn't great. However, hearing much positive talk about Los Vecinos Del Campo, I decided to retry the category. The aroma is dominated by smoke. Not like burning wood, but a savory, meaty smoke. Similar to a lean Tri Tip cooked low and slow. Hints of tropical fruit, like pineapple, are also present. This is all mingled with cracked black pepper. The initial taste is of sweeter pineapple and peach, but the smoky character quickly takes over your mouth. It's reminiscent of a slow smoker with tri tip and brisket. Around the middle of the tasting, the familiar vegetal agave, cut grass, and spicy black pepper emerge, hitting the center of your tongue. The finish is dry and spicy. Agave remains in the background, but the tongue-tingling black pepper takes the spotlight. A tannic hardwood twang, along with the slowly receding smoke from the palate, completes the finish. I'm sure this is excellent for a Mezcal. Yet, something about it doesn't entirely please me. I suspect it's my deep devotion to Whisk(e)y, which makes me inherently seek sweeter notes to complement the smoke, and they are scarce here. It's certainly drinkable. However, I would always opt for an exceptional Extra Anejo for neat sipping over this.

Score: 16/23 Tasted from an open bottle. Nose: Smoky and sour, with notes of cinnamon and sweetness. Odd, I don't recall this aroma profile. Pleasant herbal touches are present, and the overall impression is quite harmonious. It's not overpowering, yet it undeniably carries the scent of mezcal. Palate: Tart smoke is complemented by a sweet, somewhat diluted taste that introduces cinnamon and herbal notes, lending the smoke a tobacco-like quality. The balance is excellent, and there's considerable complexity. A subtle sweet fruit note is detectable but elusive. Finish: The finish is rather dry and straightforward, though a smoky richness persists, giving it a solid presence. - Summary - This is richer and more enjoyable than my prior recollection. While I've consistently enjoyed this, my appreciation has fluctuated. Previously, I preferred it less than I had initially, but now, it surpasses my last tasting experience. I'm raising the score to a 16. This might not be the ultimate mezcal, but its value at just $24 is undeniable. Truly remarkable!

Quick impression: Visiting friends, and one had this tequila. As I'm not very familiar with tequila, this is what I gathered without formal tasting. Nose: Celery, cucumber, charcoal, herbaceous. Palate: Earthy, smoky, mineral. Grilled pineapple and honeydew, dried grass, charcoal, tobacco. Finish: Charcoal, vegetal, oak tannins. Enjoyed it. The subtle charcoal undertone and mild sweetness combined with earthy, herbal notes make for a pleasant sipper. [Tasted: 9/5/21]

My experience with mezcal is limited, relying mostly on memory. I'll start this with an arbitrary score of 4; it's certainly good enough to repurchase. The nose aligns with my expectations: smokiness, caramelized sugars, lime, and a touch of menthol and ethanol. The palate follows suit quite well. Fresh agave and lime notes are upfront, followed by a subtle mineral flavor and some menthol. The finish is pleasantly charred and smoky with pepper. A long, deep, smoky finish; delicious.

An intriguing, robust mezcal available at an entry-level cost. It possesses character and would likely enhance cocktails. It might be a bit intense for mezcal newcomers, but it can certainly add excellent mezcal qualities to mixed drinks.