Rey Campero Espadín Mezcal

Light body, transparent appearance. The bottle provides a lot of details. From the village of Candelaria Yegolé, made in a copper still, double distilled. Batch D5030-E (1675 of 3945 bottles), with a handwritten bottling date of December 2019 and what seems to be a signature from the Master Mezcalero, Rómulo Sánchez Parada. Abundant salt, agave, earthenware, aloeswood, citrus, passionfruit, hide, stones, fuel. Initially, a blast of soot and smoke hits the tongue (reminiscent of a dirty grill). Once the char fades, a significant agave sweetness and coconut water appear, along with toasted cedar, chili pepper, and a mineral note, plus a hint of "new tennis balls." Intriguing. This exhibits good harmony, with no single flavor overpowering the others. There's minimal to no harshness upon swallowing, followed by a spreading warmth. The aftertaste alternates between tar, leather, and earthy, roasted agave sugars. The lime and a touch of grilled bell pepper re-emerge, playing a secondary part. This expression is less herbaceous, less tar-heavy, and generally easier to drink than Del Maguey Chichicapa. However, I don't find it less engaging or complex; perhaps the opposite. Additionally, it costs about half as much at $45. I anticipate enjoying this frequently and will definitely buy another bottle once this one is finished. I'm going to boldly compare this to Talisker, but for Mezcal.

My experience with mezcal is very limited, and I'm looking to change that. Tasted neat in a small snifter. The aroma is quite vegetal and complex, with notes of agave, cactus, succulents, green olive, ethanol, and a sweetness reminiscent of fennel seed. There's also a subtle hint of bay leaves and a background sourness. Upon tasting, the initial impression is sweet and smoky, followed by a mild peppery and alcoholic bite. It reminds me of a lighter Scotch from the Islay region. The finish is long and slightly warming, featuring a bitter vegetal note balanced by a sweet undertone. The mouthfeel is rich and creamy. I definitely need more practice with mezcal, but I'm enjoying this one so far. Any rating I provide should be understood in the context of my limited mezcal experience. I hope this bottle is representative of the category; I do like it!

This is truly enjoyable! It's an excellent starting point for those new to mezcal. I wish I had begun my journey with such a refined selection. It offers considerable complexity, richness, and flavor, making it a worthy addition to any experienced mezcal drinker's collection. Fans of Tequila from ArteNom's blanco offerings will also appreciate this. The nose is full yet soft, with a fruity and herbal effervescence leading to pleasant cooked agave and mint upfront, followed by a mid-palate sweetness that transitions into a clean, crisp, long, and smooth finish, allowing you to unwind and let your worries fade with each sip.

A fantastic starting point for those interested in sipping mezcals who prefer a gentler profile. Reasonably priced and accessible... crafted authentically with a well-balanced character that evokes certain tequilas. It has a good agave foundation, light pepper, floral notes, citrus, and smoke levels that are subtle, adding delicacy and depth. It's clean and straightforward. Not ideal for cocktails as it might be a bit too delicate.

A subtle Mezcal from Oaxaca, Mexico, produced by Rómulo Sánchez Parada for Destilería Herencia de Sánchez. It greets you with aromas of fruit, agave, Tepache, straw, and olive brine. Its delicate character evolves with notes of smoke, corn, orange peel, marshmallow, and hoja santa, leading to a brief yet rich conclusion with hints of botanicals, fresh herbs, spice, oregano, tobacco, and clay. August / December 2018 / December 2020 / January 2021

An easy-drinking spirit with fruit notes and a hint of smokiness. This is a very approachable Mezcal, perfect for newcomers to the category. It's an excellent value for the cost. I would only drink this neat at ambient temperature on a hot Texas day, never in a cocktail.