38 Responses

  1. Bebe at |

    I was in El Paso / Juarez in 1975. I Bought a bottle of Mezcal. Never opened it.
    I wonder how much it would be worth today???

    Reply
  2. Mike Connor at |

    I picked up a bottle of Del Maguey Chichicapa at the Europea in Cabo San Lucas. Excellent. I don’t remember exactly what I paid for it, but I’m pretty sure it was less than $100.

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  3. Frank Ramírez at |

    I rather drink bacanora than mezcal.

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  4. Sonia Gomez at |

    When everything is said and done I love ILEGAL!!

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  5. sylvain gosselin at |

    i got a botle of mazcal fenix 750 ml old of more then 30 years did someone know how much it worth

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    1. Mezcal PhD at |

      There is really no secondary market for mezcal – old or new. I have not heard of this brand, but I suspect it is worth very little. I would drink it!

      Reply
  6. Tyler at |

    Since this was originally posted, Mezcales de Leyenda has released some crazy expensive bottles starting at $250 that go up to $500!

    https://www.bevnet.com/news/spirits/2017/mezcales-de-leyenda-introduces-4-limited-artisanal-mezcal-expressions/

    Yikes.. makes you wonder how high prices will go.

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    1. Mezcal PhD at |

      Yes. I bought two of them! These are all one, small batch, and geared toward collectors I think, given the price point.

      Reply
  7. Patrick G. at |

    Mezcalosfera Mezcales are all unique. If you buy a bottle it is more than probable that you won’t be able to buy the same bottle (lot) again, as there a limited quantities. Most don’t exceed 200 litres. They are all produced in small villages and are in the esprit of making traditional Mezcal (you know, above 45% etc. 😉 ).
    I had the chance to visit la Mezcaloteca twice and the honor of a private tasting with Silvia, where I tasted Mezcales so far away from anything I knew but all mindblowing. The prices are high because they are unique. Be glad, that the American importer do respect the soul of la Mezcalotecas otherwise they would be far more expensive due to their uniqueness.
    I never paied so much for a spirituous but I would buy any bottle of Mezcalosfera as it is worth it.

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    1. Mezcal PhD at |

      Thanks for your thoughts. I agree they are all quite unique. But I have been to Mezcaloteca several times and gone through tastings each time. And as I have said, they are hit and miss – some I love and and some not so much. Rare does not equal good. And I would be pretty bummed if I spent $175 on a bottle, and then tasted it for the first time and find it to be not so good. Thus my comments about Mezcalosfera. Try to taste it at a bar before you drop the big number on the bottle. I have tasted two Mezcalosferas so far and have found them to be exceptional – so the track record of what they are bringing to the US is looking good!

      Reply
      1. Tyler at |

        Totally agree. The ones being imported into the US are great but the huge selection in Oaxaca City is hit-or-miss. The tasting room is definitely a fun experience that everyone should check out.. we’re just spoiled with the US releases. The first 3 releases are awesome, especially from Felipe Cortes. There are 2 new arrivals to the US, a chocolate “pechuga” and a mango/habanero “pechuga”.. both sound really interesting.

        Reply
  8. Corvus at |

    I have never tasted any Scorpion Mezcal, however, I did have the opportunity to taste Doug French’s Grand Reserve 17 Year Anejo at a private tasting. 70% Añejo/30% Barril, triple distilled, 7 years in American Oak whiskey barrel and 10 years French Oak Bordeaux barrel. I’m not usually a fan of Añejos and the woody flavor imparted by the barrel, but was pleased to have the chance to taste it.

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  9. Matthew Mydlowski at |

    I just got a skull shaped green bottle of Sangre de Vida – Reposado Mezcal. Great taste and balance of salt and sweet. Good smokey aroma. Sold for $100NZ. Have you tried this one? Was wondering what you would think of it. I like on occasion to have Mezcal in a strong short black espresso coffee, very tasty. I have tried at least 14 Mezcals here. Dos Gusanos is practically the only one that most retailers only sell here. I have tried 27 different tequila. I prefer mezcal. I collected a jar full of Mezcal worms once, and put them into water. I found that they imparted a very strong woody flavor. All the Mezcals I have bought had a worm in them with exception of my latest treat: Sangre de Vida.

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    1. Mezcal PhD at |

      I have tried that Sangre de Vida repo and agree it is quite good. No worm in that and that’s the way it should be! I think the worm gives mezcal a bad rap and makes people think it is a gimmicky, low quality liquor. Give the non-worm mezcals more of a try and I think you may find them to be better. But if not, keep drinking’ those gusanos! Thanks for the note.

      Reply
  10. Dan at |

    It’s a great list, thank you! I have tried many of them, but for me Mezalosfera is far superior. Also, Mezcalosfera is the US brand of Mezcaloteca in Oaxaca, worth every penny.

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    1. Mezcal PhD at |

      I am glad to hear it is great. As I have mentioned on another reply, the Mezcaloteca mezcals are a bit hit and miss. Looks like the community is talking me into buying a bottle!!

      Reply
  11. B Bauer at |

    Vinos_de_mezcal can also be purchased at Hyland Hills Liquor in Beaverton, OR

    Reply
  12. Rick at |

    My bottle of Mezcalosfera de Mezcaloteca looks like the one you pictured and it appears to be an ensamble of only two varietals, Tobala & Madrecuixe (50% each), not 5. The label includes more information than any other mezcal I have seen and lists the Maestro Mezcalero as Felepe Cortes. I presume your reference to “unknown mezcalero” means that you have no experience with his distillates, since he is clearly identified on the label. I have not yet opened and sampled but am planning on doing just that sometime during the holidays.

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    1. Rick at |
      Reply
    2. Mezcal PhD at |

      I don’t mean “unknown” in a pejorative way. I know that Mezcaloteca mainly works with young up and coming mezcaleros, and I have no doubt some of them are excellent. But when I am there for tastings, it is very hit and miss. Always a great experience, but the mezcals can be excellent or just OK….

      Reply
    3. Tyler at |

      Both of the two Mezcalosfera de Mezcaloteca US releases (tobala/madrecuishe + 5 agave ensamble) are from Felipe Cortes and both are great!

      Here is a pic of the mezcalero: https://mezcaloteca.squarespace.com/mezcalosfera/

      Reply
      1. Mezcal PhD at |

        A lot of people have rallied around my comments on Mezcalosfera and agree with your assessment. I will be trying it soon. Thanks!

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        1. Tyler at |

          The 3rd Mezcalosfera release is out.. it’s from a different mezcalero than the previous two releases. https://twitter.com/blackswansaloon/status/837823772518395904

          Reply
          1. Mezcal PhD at |

            Dig it. Thanks for the tip!

  13. Jill at |

    John, just curious if you have tasted any of the VdM selections…..I am curious about them but can’t find tasting notes anywhere. Nary a bar in sight has them in my little mountain town and it’s tough to take the plunge ordering totally blind at that price point!

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    1. Mezcal PhD at |

      I have four of them. I am away on vacation so not sure which ones and they have released many more since I bought them 2 yrs ago or so. These are all very unique and one off. Not usually main stream in taste either. I think they are mezcal-drinker’s mezcals. You buy them because of the uniqueness of the production process and to explore the taste profiles of less commercial mezcals. I know one of them I have was made in a still built form a truck radiator! They are not all that weird.

      I am sure they are in bars somewhere, but I have never seen them. But also, Wahaka is stronger in West Coast distribution than NYC, where I live. Not sure if this helps you any, but I hope so!

      Reply
  14. La Loba Cantina at |

    Hey John, we have Mezcalosfera at La Loba. Try it, worth every penny.

    -La Loba Cantina

    Reply
    1. Mezcal PhD at |

      Really? As if I did not already have plenty of reasons to visit, this is the final straw! A January visit for sure. Thank you.

      Reply
  15. Tyler at |

    Great list!

    I’d add the La Venenosa Puntas Raicilla as an honorable mention as it’s crafted in the “spirit” of mezcal and costs $200/bottle. Never tried it but very curious considering it is 63% ABV.

    Reply
    1. Mezcal PhD at |

      I considered putting the Venenosa line on the list (since a raicilla is a mezcal of course) but I decided to keep it to mezcal. But I appreciate the contribution!

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    2. Rimas at |

      I recently tried it and only have one word for it: INTENSE!!!

      Reply
  16. Bruce Turbeville at |

    John,

    Not to mention that high end tequila and mezcal prices don’t even compare to what people will pay for good whiskies or even wine. Personally, I don’t feel that $150 is all that expensive for the connoisseur or collector, and $75 is about the average of what I expect to pay for good sipping mezcal. I mean, this being the only hand crafted artisanal spirit in wide circulation in the western world. Who wouldn’t want to go the extra buck?

    Reply
    1. Mezcal PhD at |

      Nice! Great point on whiskey! I consider myself a collector but the problem is my collection seems to keep disappearing! Thanks for the great thoughts.

      Reply

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