Review: Mezcalero #22, #25, Special Bottling #3
Mezcalero #22 - Don Valente Angel Garcia - Bicuishe - 47.4%
Mezcalero #25 - Don Cosme Hernandez and son Cirilo - Tobala - 47.5%
Mezcalero Special Bottling #3 - Don Rodolfo Juan Jaurez - Wild Tobala - 48.5%
I've been a big fan of Mezcalero bottlings since Special Bottling #2 - which remains among my all-time favorite mezcals. The price point falls on the affordable side of premium mezcal, and the brand manages to provide a wide variety of profiles while maintaining consistent quality. These three from 2017, 2018, and 2019 provide a nice cross sampling of that diversity and quality. Worth noting: significant inert resting with these - #22 rested for 3+ yrs, #25 - 6+ yrs, Special Bottling #3 - 2 yrs.
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Notes: Three wildly different pours.
#22 - Fresh and bright - echoes I've gotten from Don Valente Angel Garcia before (#16). He continues to produce some of my favorite mezcals. Lots of crunchy, green been notes and honeysuckle. The back third is a touch overly dry and plays patchy. Fortunately, it rebounds with some minty chocolate.
#25 - The most memorable profile. A pine/cedar bomb with light herbals and cacao bean. Great structure. Full weight on the palate. This profile could've gone off the rails, but it's totally dialed in. Green and forestry. Wonderful.
Special Bottling #3 - More familiar here. Earthy, savory, tons of spice. Light smoke and melon. Nuanced and well executed.
Score
#22: 7 (Highly Recommend) If it didn't lose it's grip toward the back end, I'd grab a couple of these.
#25: 8 (Stash One) Really woodsy and fantastic. I need to make good on my rating and grab one for the bunker.
SB #3: 7 (Highly Recommend) Loved every pour from the bottle. Just not overly memorable.
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Rating System
10 - Reevaluate The Budget
9 - Stash Two (If Able)
8 - Stash One (At The Right Price)
7 - Highly Recommend It To Strangers
6 - Solid - Above Average
5 - Acceptable For The Situation
4 - Not Vocally Complaining
3 - Anything Else To Drink?
2 - Nothing Nice To Say
1 - Drain Pour