Back around Halloween I did a big marathon of single-varietal mezcals ( • Spooky Halloween Mezcals: Erstwhile, La Lu... ) and this is the all-blended sequel, sans fun wizard hat. Erstwhile returns for redemption after their lame oversmoked Tobalá and we've got some other old names also coming back: I've got one of the anniversary bottlings from Alipus (last reviewed way back in 2020 at • Alipus Sta. Ana Del Rio and Alipus San Mig... ) and a Tío Rey from Vago (who hasn't seen a review in nearly as long, • Mezcal Vago Ensamble en Barro and Tobala r... ). And they're up against two of the best bottlers in the business, the Miahuatlán maniacs at NETA (discussed at • NETA Destilados: Tepextate x2, Madrecuixe/... ) and personal favorite 5 Sentidos (including my beloved Tío Pedro, see • 5 Sentidos Tobalá battle: Alberto Martinez... ). Two flights, first the copper distilled stuff and then the ancestrals. Let's go:
FLIGHT 1 (2:51)
Erstwhile Tepeztate-Tobalá Mezcal Artesanal by Juan Hernández Méndez (Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca; distilled in copper pot still; Lot 18-JHM-TOB distilled 12/2017 for 585 liters; 44% ABV), 85+1=86/100
NETA Ensamble Agave Spirit by Wilfrido García Sánchez for Aficonados (Logoche, Miahuatlán; Coyote, Tobalá, Tepextate, distilled in copper pot; Lot ENNWGS2105, distilled 5/2021, 100 liters; 46.9% ABV), 89/100
5 Sentidos Delgado y Ancho by Jaime Bello Carreto et (Xochipala, Guerrero; copper pot distilled; Lot ADXCH03-20, released 3/2020, 160 liters; 47.7% ABV), 89+1=90
Alipus Santa Ana XX Aniversario by Hernandez Melchor (Santa Ana; Espadín, Tepextate, and Tobalá, copper pot distilled; released 2019, 416 bottles; 48% ABV), 86/100
Rey Campero Ensamble Mezcal Artesanal by Vicente Sánchez Parada (Candelaria Yegole; Jabalí, Tobalá, and Mexicano Penca Larga, double distilled in copper pot; Lot DS01-JTP, distilled 4/2023, 530 bottles; 48.30% ABV), 88/100
FLIGHT 2 (44:49)
5 Sentidos Espadín-Tobaziche by Tío Pedro Hernandez (Santa Catarina Minas; clay pot distilled; Batch ESPTBZ 10-21, distilled 2021; 46.5% ABV), 89/100
Mezcal Vago Tío Rey Ensamble en Barro (Sola de Vega; Espadín, Arroqueño, Coyote, Mexicano, clay pot distilled; unknown lot, distilled circa 2022; 49.3% ABV), 87+/100
Mezcal Vago Tío Rey Ensamble en Barro for Binny's (Sola de Vega; Espadín, Coyote, Barril, Mexicano, clay pot distilled; Lot S-12-ECBM-23, 415 liter batch, distilled circa 2023; 49.9% ABV), 87/100
I'm rushing to post this so no long write up, but dang there are some bangers here. Erstwhile improves with water and partially redeems itself with a bottling that refuses to be drowned in smoke, the Alipus is a bit weird and earthy-floral but still solid, the Rey Campero is just excellent but still can't quite keep up with the leaders, while the NETA and Guerrero 5S are - each in their own way - absolutely insane fruit bombs. Meanwhile the two Tío Reys are both good - although very very different! - but neither can keep up with Tío Pedro's insane pickled fruit thing (even if this isn't the best I've had from him).
Extra special thanks to my Different Spirits on Patreon ( / differentspirits ) -
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