Ahhhhh mescal (for the purposes of this review, mezcal). I should preface this by saying I am definitely a tequila guy. That could be the reason that of all the people who tried this with me, I was the only one who didn't immediately look like they wanted to commit a homicide.
The label on the bottle describes this mezcal as:
Using natural processes over four hundred years old, the village palenquero (maker) captures the true body and spirit of mezcal with only two ingredients: water and the heart of the maguey (agave). The hearts of maguey are roasted over hot stones in a pit in the ground for three to five days covered with earth. They are then ground to a mash using horse-powered stone mills, followed by a long period of natural fermentation in wooden vats and finally distilled twice, very slowly, in wood-fired clay or copper stills. Their flavor has been described as smokey, true, deep and warm.
Pay close attention to the last sentence....well....you really only need to pay attention to "smokey." There's an easy way to decide if mezcal is right for you.
My suggestion is: first, go grab your grill, or if you have a smoker, that's the better choice. Second, take a shot of your favorite tequila. Third, and most importantly, immediately run outside and lick the inside of your grill or smoker. That's pretty much the flavor you'll have running around inside your mouth. The expressions on the faces of people who tried the mezcal were all different, but none of them seemed positive. Del Maguey's mezcal has won a number of awards such as: platinum in the 2003 World Spirits Championships, gold in the 2002 World Spirits Championships, and both platinum and best spirit in the 2001 World Spirits Championships. This leads me to believe that my favorable opinion of the mezcal is right and everyone else's opinion is wrong......a trend you'll pick up on.
I'd say try it, unless the idea of sipping something through the vents in your grill lid doesn't appeal to you, then by all means skip it.
Hi, I just opened and couldnt resist sipping a little of a 1997 bottle of Del Magueys San Luis del Rio and was blown away. Its very woody and fruity. Has the smokie flavor but its good not overwhelming. This was a gift and so i contacted del Magueys to make sure it would be safe. They said Im very lucky to have one of the original clear bottles and to sip and enjoy.. This is definitely a sipping spirit. Im not a much of drinker at all, but when I do its only Jack Daniels, and this Mezcal reminds more of a fruity oak barrel whiskey than a tequila. Great job Del Maguey.. I was thinking of sharing this with guests, but maybe Ill just keep it for a late nite sip now and then. Thanks for you review by the way. Debra
ReplyDelete