Yuu Baal Tobalá

Region: Tlacolula. Agave Age: 8 years. Lot: YJ18-22. Bottle: 1416/3000. NOM: AMMA4. Opened: 1 week. Nose: Tropical fruits, papaya, mango, white grape, sweet vegetal notes, pine needle, and light ethanol. Palate: Unripe mango, white grape, green apple, sweet conifer, and orange peel. Finish: Medium-long with orange bitters, dry pine, grape skin, vegetal tropical fruit, and light ethanol. I truly appreciate this brand's transparency, providing every detail on the bottle. As an added benefit, their non-espadin mezcals are available in 375 mL bottles, making it accessible to try more expensive varietals. The mezcal itself is excellent, with a fantastic tropical herbal nose and is eminently drinkable. I've tried other mezcals from this brand and can confirm they are top-tier options under $100. (The 375 mL bottle is priced at $39.99; I doubled it as the bottle option is intended for 700 or 750 mL sizes.)

Aroma of pine, agave, smoke, tomato, earth, brine, and hot sauce. The taste is smoky, slightly vegetal, with notes of char, vanilla, dry wood, and white pepper.

The aroma has smoky lemongrass and sea salt. The taste is smoke and lemon zest.

Smooth. Vanilla and moderately smoked fruit.