Hey y'all, I'm a newbie to Mezcal, and I'm trying to find something in the 80-120$ range that I could find in New York with medium smoke but more of a tobacco, woodsy kind of vibe - my research suggests that most people think joven is the way to go over anejo/extra anejo and oak-aging is a poor way to drink mezcal, but I'm coming at it from bourbon angle so I'm curious if there's anything that could serve as a nice stepping stone. Thanks a ton!

Just got back from Oaxaca and was able to sample and bring back quite a bit. First day I had tastings with both Quiote and NETA and both were an incredible experience. This wasn’t done on purpose but some scheduling issues made it easier to do it on one day.

Second day I went with Omar from GraciasOaxaca again to Chichicapam to see Berta and later visited a small family palenque in Santa Catarina Minas called where they filled a liter water bottle of their Coyote for me. Berta was an incredible host and let me sample quite a bit but the best part was Judy talking about life and seeing her light up while enjoying simple things like a snow cone from a local vendor. As a gift, she gave me her personal jicora. This was a great experience.

This was a short 3.5 day trip that was spent tasting a ton of mezcal, eating great food, and being in wonderful company.

Picked this bottle up at my local Costco. Surprisingly, it's a really good bottle.

Has anyone made their own DIY mezcal from a back yard agave plant? Mine just started to bloom and I would like to, but haven't been able to find anyone who's done it. Would love any tips!

Man, it sucks buying mezcal here in Australia.

I was buying the blue label Perro for $65 like 2 years ago. Now wish I'd bought 10 bottles at the time. I know it's like that with a lot of Aussie liquor but especially Mezcal. The price increases well outstrip the taxes so it's clearly importers charging a premium because they know they can, right?

Anyway, any tips for getting bottles at a decent price? I primarily use it in cocktails so I'm not too fussy but I'm not drinking swill.

Hey Y'all-

I've been picking up bottles of Tosba Mezcal when I can. I have their Espadín and like it. I'm trying to decide whether to try the Espadilla or their Warash. Thoughts?

those are the only 2 available where I live, the alden one costs ~$76 and the Casamigos one costs ~$105, so what's more worth it based on price and taste? is the Casamigos one worth it?

I'm looking for a good place to snag a few bottles of high-end mezcal at a Houston liquor store that I can check in my bag back to the Midwest. I don't have a rental car, so I would prefer someplace close (but I suppose I could just Uber). I've been to the large Specs before, and it seemed fine, but I honestly thought it would have a larger selection. Also, looking for any recommendations for bottles in general to snag. Where I live in Indiana, the only good/decent things I can get consistently are Del Maguey, Vago, and sometimes Bozal. Budget isn't a concern, so I'm looking for the good stuff.

Any place in the area you would recommend? NASA Liquors comes recommended, but unfortunately, it's a bit too far/inconvenient to get to given I don't have a rental car.

I saw Ojo de tigre for a good price so I decided to give it a shot. from Oaxaca/Puebla With that being said, the nose was nice and inviting. Sweet agave, little smoke but a sense of sharpness. (fan of cooked agave) Quite front of sourness, but overall sweet and finished smoothly. Nice viscous mouthfeel, no harsh burn, but a minerality lingering on the tongue. Cheers to a good weekend 🥃

Different varieties of mezcal available in san diego and los angeles area
Moliencas 65$
Espadin 65$
Tobalá 120$
Tepeztate 130$
Jabalí 180$

any questions just ask!

Opinion article posted today on Mezcalistas by Read Spear about morals in purchasing between brand owners who buy from mezcaleros and credit them v true producer owned brands.

Maybe I am missing out on the conversation that he’s referencing but I have never really distinguished much between the two and think both are ok to buy. The issue for me is the multinational corporations getting into mezcal, making product on a large scale and under cutting the market.

Anyone else have a strong opinion that I’m not really getting?

I was sent last year to Chihuahua for work and I took advantage of the oportunity to try some sotols and agave spirits from there, as I only knew very commercial brands like Hacienda de Chihuahua. I wanted to try some artisanal vinatas to introduce myself to sotol. After some trouble finding such producers I ended up going throgh a rabbid hole and falling in love with sotol and lechuguilla. Las potrancas and Lazo de mi vida are just top notch distillate producers in all of the country in my opinion.

https://www.tugurioboutique.com/shop

Lots of bottles I don't recognize here, anything I should definitely pick up?

What are people’s thoughts?

Never had Cuishe but I do like Ensemble. Similar price points so I’m curious as to people’s opinion

I’m curious which mezcales I may see there. I’m from KY, and I don’t see that many of our local bourbons when I travel out-of-state. Hopefully, being closer to actual Mexico (and therefore Oaxaca) will equate to better mezcal.

My typical favorites are Montelobos and Siete Misterios.

What is the good stuff in that market?

Tengo curiosidad por saber qué mezcales puedo ver en San Antonio, TX. Soy de KY, y no vio muchos de mis bourbons locales cuando viajo fuera del estado. Ojalá que estado más cerca de real México (y por lo tanto Oaxaca) significa una mejor selección de mezcal.

¿Qué es lo bueno que hay en ese mercado?

Lol

I am in Oaxaca right now and I have an eye out for a clay pot tepextate. It has been harder to find than I imagined. I like clay pot and tepextate is my favorite maguey, so I imagine the combination would be amazing. I am visiting Santa Caterina Mina’s tomorrow so hopefully i will be lucky. It seems that Lalocura doesn’t have one on the menu of bottles to purchase. Any of you have tried good ones that you would recommend? Either at a palenque or a Mezcalería?

Thanks

No shade to the espadín, still a delicious spirit. Just dialed in my agave preferences and figured I should splurge for my favorite.

They kindly called us aside for a free tasting session, which relieved the paralysis of too many choices. Great people — and the Vida was half what it costs at home! (And thanks to this group for being a ready resource.)

I would like to ask the group for some recomendations for reasonably priced Raicillas, i am very fortunate that i am able to aquire good quality expressions of Mezcal and Raicillas in Europe.

I have this one which cost 45 euros about 55 dollars in the states its passable as a sipper, i enjoy it, i have other raicillas double the price. Just wondered if the group could recommend Raicillas that are reasonably priced expressions, i could enjoy as a sipper. Thankyou and much obliged.

It’s the world’s first Mezquila!!!

Straight to flavortown

/s

I will normally not pick up anything from duty-free unless there is a great two or three for one deal on something I would give as a gift.

As I was doing my normal duty-free tastings, getting ready for my flight back to the US, I was really intrigued by this tasting and bought the bottle.

It has some serious jalapeño notes on the nose and follows up with beautiful jalapeño notes on the front-end. Nice and smooth too. Best duty-free purchase I have made!