In some ways, transferring from tequila into the expansive world of mezcal is like growing a style for Scotch following a fascination with bourbon. Every duo shares the identical guardian class (agave spirits and whiskey, respectively), employs related manufacturing methods, and can usually be discovered shut to one another, if not aspect by aspect, in liquor shops.
In fact, there are limits to this analogy, and the intention is to not body mezcal or Scotch as superior to their siblings. However there’s additionally no denying that the regional range inside these two classes and, sure, the occasional presence of smoke, place them among the many world’s most complicated spirits — distillates that aficionados would usually a lot fairly get pleasure from neat fairly than in cocktails.
Whether or not the vacation spot for mezcal is a copita or coupe by the use of cocktail shaker is in the end the customer’s choice. Both approach, high quality and worth for cash are of paramount significance, and people will be tough issues to decipher from bottle labels and even model web sites alone. So we’ve performed the arduous give you the results you want, tasting by way of dozens of expressions, and digging into particular person manufacturing particulars to supply this listing of the 20 finest mezcals to drink in 2025.
Why You Ought to Belief VinePair
Yearly, VinePair conducts dozens of tastings for our “Purchase This Booze” product roundups, highlighting the perfect bottles the world over’s hottest wine and spirits classes.
Inside this scope, VinePair’s tasting and editorial employees samples hundreds of bottles yearly. This ensures we’ve got an in depth eye on what’s new and thrilling. Crucially, it additionally offers us with the context wanted to differentiate the merely good from the really nice, whether or not from a high quality or value-for-money perspective, or each.
Finally, our mission is to supply a transparent, dependable supply of knowledge for drinkers, offering an summary relevant to day-to-day shopping for and ingesting. Be taught extra about VinePair’s tastings and evaluations division right here.
How We Style
We consider in tasting all merchandise as our readers sometimes would: with full information of the producer and — importantly — worth. Our tastings are subsequently not performed blind.
For this mezcal roundup, all expressions had been sampled in Glencairn glasses and allowed to relaxation for 5 minutes previous to tasting. We then evaluated the aromas, flavors, texture, and end of every spirit.
How We Compiled This Listing
With a purpose to present our readers with essentially the most complete and completely examined listing of the perfect mezcals to purchase, VinePair invited producers, distributors, and PR corporations engaged on their behalf to ship samples for consideration. These bottles had been submitted freed from cost — producers didn’t pay to submit nor did VinePair pay for the merchandise. All had been requested with the clear understanding that submission doesn’t assure inclusion within the ultimate listing.
Not solely would such an settlement contradict our editorial ethics and samples coverage, it merely wouldn’t be attainable to incorporate all the pieces we obtained. For this roundup, we tasted over 60 new submissions and in addition retasted round a dozen bottles that had been despatched to VinePair all through the course of the prior 12 months and that we had been capable of verify are nonetheless (at the least considerably) obtainable in retail channels.
Throughout tasting, we assigned a rating to every product on a 100-point scale based mostly on the standard and depth of its aromas, flavors, texture, and end. Then we reviewed all scores and compiled an editorially-driven listing that meets our standards of the 20 finest mezcals to purchase proper now. It’s vital to notice that these are usually not the 20 highest-scoring mezcals we tasted this yr. As a substitute, this listing showcases the perfect bottles throughout each worth and for each situation, together with the perfect bottle for learners, the perfect extensively obtainable mezcals, and the perfect aged expression.
The Finest Mezcals Underneath $50
Palomo Mezcal Espadín Joven
Vibrant, fruity, and recent on the nostril, this mezcal’s intense focus of basic Espadín flavors, assertive 46 p.c ABV, and reasonably priced MSRP — $34 for a 700-milliliter bottle, or $39 for a 1 liter — make it a superb possibility for Oaxaca Outdated Fashioneds, Mezcal Negronis, and cocktail experimentation.
Common worth: $34
Ranking: 91
Legendario Domingo Oaxaca Espadín
This mezcal offers ample proof that Espadín is a lot greater than a “workhorse” agave. Spicy pineapple aromas kick off the nostril and lead onto a vegetal-forward, earthy, and fruity palate. At this worth, you may comfortably make cocktails, nevertheless it additionally holds its personal when sipped neat.
Common worth: $40
Ranking: 92
Mina Actual Mezcal Blanco
A shiny, floral, and clear expression of Espadín, this bottling is produced in Santa Catarina Minas, Oaxaca. The city is revered for its heritage and adherence to conventional manufacturing methods, together with distilling in clay pots. Whereas Mina Actual opts to as an alternative use copper alembic stills, this launch brims with character, with chocolate and savory notes constructing complexity on the palate.
Common worth: $40
Ranking: 91
Agave de Cortés Mezcal Joven
Based mostly within the Zapotec city of Santiago Matatlán, the Cortés household has been making mezcal for nearly 200 years, and the producer continues to make use of ancestral practices for this minerally, inexperienced, and frivolously fruity mezcal. Contemplating the worth, which additionally retains cocktails within the equation, this Espadín provides glorious bang for buck, and divulges new and intriguing points of the variability with every sip.
Common worth: $41
Ranking: 92
The Finest Mezcals Underneath $100
Mezcal Vago Espadín Emigdio Jarquín
From Emigdio Jarquín — considered one of 4 producers within the Mezcal Vago roster — that is one other standout expression of Espadín, produced round 5,000 toes above sea degree in Miahuatlán, Oaxaca. It opens with pronounced aromas of inexperienced mango and minerally moist rocks, whereas the palate counters with a shocking depth of savory notes. A pleasant chew of alcohol retains its end alive for an age.
Common worth: $51
Ranking: 92
Doce Mezcal
Maestra mezcalera Margarita Blas and crew make use of the capón approach for this Espadín, reducing off the vegetation’ quiotes, then leaving them within the area for an extra three months to achieve richness and focus of taste. Roasted with pine and oak, crushed utilizing a tahona, and distilled in copper stills, the ensuing mezcal opens with peppery, fruity aromas, and a definite strawberry fruit leather-based be aware. The palate delivers rather more savory character and a touch of smoky earth.
Common worth: $54
Ranking: 90
Creador de Calidad Lumbre-Espadín Ensamble
In search of one thing area of interest and nerdy? This ensamble (mix) accommodates a mixture of Espadín and Lumbre agave, the latter of which is native to the Zimatlán area of Oaxaca. The roasted magueys are hand-milled utilizing mallets (mazos within the native parlance), and fermented and distilled in clay pots. The end result is a spirit that opens with mineral, frivolously fruity notes, earlier than shortly transitioning to Band-Support and smoky BBQ sauce. The palate leans even additional into the latter, providing richness and depth, and a long-lasting end.
Common worth: $60
Ranking: 93
Don Amado Tobalá & Bicuishe Ensamble
Heavy wafts of nuanced smoke notes outline this Oaxacan mix of Tobalá and Bicuishe. After that smoke components, enticing stone fruit and black tea notes come to the fore, adopted by a barely candy, tangy palate. Smoke re-emerges on the end — a mixture of campfire and light-weight ash — making this an ideal bottle for peat lovers seeking to discover different spirits.
Common worth: $80
Ranking: 93
The Finest Mezcals Over $100
Palenqueros Madrecuishe Valente Garcia
One other hands-on, small-batch expression, the roasted Madrecuishe agave for this 933-bottle launch was crushed by mallet earlier than being double-distilled in copper pots. Bottled at 48.9 p.c ABV, it provides a shiny, minerally moist rock nostril, with hints of citrus and savory smoke. The palate that follows is layered with sweetness and roasted nut notes.
Common worth: $104
Ranking: 94
Tlamati Spirits Espadilla Destilado de Agave
Double-distilled in copper pots, this launch is crafted from Espadilla, a particular subspecies of Agave angustifolia (Espadín) that’s indigenous to Puebla. Fifty p.c of the agave undergoes the capón approach, and all the pieces about this spirit is breathtaking, from its expressive, fruity nostril to its splendidly textured palate. Count on notes of recent pink berries dusted with confectioner’s sugar, inexperienced bell peppers, and savory smoke, to call however a number of.
Common worth: $105
Ranking: 95
Gusto Histórico Madrecuixe Victor Ramos
Whereas it’s widespread (and for aficionados, most well-liked) to come across mezcal bottled above the U.S. minimal of 80 proof, it’s rather more uncommon to search out bottles that creep previous the 100-proof mark. However this tahona-crushed, copper-pot-distilled bottling arrives at 52 p.c ABV, and we level that out as a result of the alcohol is so seamlessly woven into the spirit from nostril to complete. An intense and pleasing ingesting expertise, notes of tobacco, sage, underripe berries, and a medley of backyard greens arrive with crystal readability and enhanced depth.
Common worth: $118
Ranking: 94
Mezcal Ultramundo Maguey Lamparillo
Maguey Lamparillo is a little-encountered wild selection that requires as much as 20 years to succeed in maturity. As soon as these vegetation have performed so at Ultramundo’s Rancho Pelayo, the producer employs the capón approach. All these years and extra months in floor show to be definitely worth the wait, leading to an exceptionally complicated and distinctive mezcal whose profile recollects baking spices, capsicums, incense, olives, brown sugar, and scorched earth.
Common worth: $130
Ranking: 95
Cumbrita de la Sierra Lechuguilla & Chawi Ensamble
A very distinctive bottling from Chihuahua, this ensamble from maestro mezcalero Dolores González combines the uncommon Lechuguilla and Chawi agaves, the latter of which is a small, decorative species that’s extra at residence in backyard pots than picket vats and copper stills. The end result? A wild and thrilling trip. The nostril leans enjoyably artificial and fruity, whereas the palate brings a pleasing trio of ripe fruit, darkish chocolate, and savory depth. It finishes clear and mineral, wrapping a one-of-a-kind taste journey in a surprisingly grounded bow.
Common worth: $135
Ranking: 95
Cinco Sentidos Arroqueño Tío Pedro
A surprising and appreciable labor of affection, Tío Pedro Hernandez produced this batch in Santa Catarina Minas utilizing conventional clay pots. Earlier than he might accomplish that, he first needed to supply the Arroqueño agave from over 50 miles away, within the verdant hills of Sola de Vega. After roasting for greater than 5 days, he (together with some assist from buddies) mashed the agave by hand utilizing mazos. All that effort really paid off: The nostril darts between ripe tropical fruit, yogurt, and root greens. The palate is without delay candy and minerally, the moist rock notes finally resulting in nice, dialed-down smoke, and a end that drinks properly beneath its virtually 50 p.c ABV.
Common worth: $136
Ranking: 95
NETA Espadin-Bicuixe Heriberto García Sánchez
Combining a 60/40 mix of untamed Bicuixe and homegrown Espadín, this double-distilled ensamble flips a standard mezcal expertise on its head, starting with savory, virtually meaty aromas, and following with expressive inexperienced fruit and chalky minerality on the palate. With extra time in glass, the aromas and flavors meld into one, simply as different complicated notes emerge, making certain the ingesting expertise is ever evolving and endlessly pleasing.
Common worth: $149
Ranking: 94
The Finest Mezcal for Learners
Desolas Mezcal
Usually talking, mezcal bottled at 40 p.c ABV raises a pink flag, usually hinting at liquid that’s missing focus (all the opposite bottles on this listing comprise at the least 45 p.c ABV). Lack of character or depth is totally not a problem right here, although. Made out of the Salmiana selection, this mezcal bursts with tropical fruit notes and has inexperienced accents and mineral notes. The decrease ABV (comparatively talking) performs an enormous position on this being an ideal mezcal for learners; so, too, does its full lack of smoke, which might show one other barrier of entry to the class.
Common worth: $52
Ranking: 92
The Finest Aged Mezcal
Los Perdidos Tepeztate Aged 4 Months in Cognac Cask
Whereas ageing in oak casks, particularly people who previously housed different spirits, isn’t conventional in mezcal manufacturing, it’s turning into more and more widespread, significantly for export markets. When performed with intentionality and a deft hand, some may argue that it will increase the general satisfaction from the ingesting expertise, and this reposado offers a shining instance. Bottled at barrel-strength 54.6 p.c ABV, oak enhances the 20-plus-year-old, clay-pot-distilled agave like a refined fragrance. Traditional Tepeztate aromas of inexperienced greens and recent fruits outline the nostril, with chalky earthiness the extra distinguished profile on the palate. All of the whereas, light dried fruits and light-weight oak run all through.
Common worth: $200
Ranking: 93
The Finest Extensively Out there Mezcals
Whereas all of the bottles featured on this listing are presently obtainable in the USA, most are small manufacturing and a majority are usually not obtainable nationally. With that in thoughts, listed below are a number of manufacturers and expressions you will discover in most liquor shops that we’ve beforehand loved — particularly in cocktails — and reviewed:
FAQs
What’s the distinction between tequila and mezcal?
Each tequila and mezcal are spirits distilled from the agave plant. Whereas mezcal will be comprised of a spread of agave varieties in numerous states throughout Mexico, by regulation tequila should be made with Tequilana Weber or Blue Weber agave within the Mexican states of Jalisco, Nayarit, Tamaulipas, Michoacan, and Guanajuato. (Try this information for extra on the variations between tequila and mezcal.)
Is mezcal stronger than tequila?
It will depend on the bottle. Most mezcals and tequilas might be inside the 36–55 p.c alcohol-by- quantity (ABV) vary. And whereas you will discover bottles of every spirit at each ends of the vary, you’ll extra usually discover tequilas at 40 p.c ABV and mezcals somewhat greater.
Are you able to drink mezcal straight?
Many drinks professionals advocate ingesting mezcal straight, sipped neat with water on the aspect. However there are many cocktails that the spirit lends itself to. (Try this information on tips on how to drink mezcal.)
Which is smoother: mezcal or tequila?
Smoothness is a really subjective high quality in spirits. Whereas a sure expression of mezcal could be easy to you, it won’t be to a different drinker. Equally, you won’t discover a sure tequila easy whereas another person may. Which is to say that it relies upon: on the standard of the spirit, the distillation course of, and your individual private notion. However so far as classes go, between mezcal and tequila, we wouldn’t say one is smoother than the opposite.
Does mezcal offer you a hangover?
“Mezcal doesn’t offer you a hangover.” You’ve in all probability heard this earlier than. And whereas there isn’t a science to assist this declare, numerous of us say they really feel much less crummy after an evening of ingesting mezcal or mezcal-based cocktails. Whereas any mezcal made with out components — like sugar, colorings, or different chemical substances — will in all probability make you are feeling much less unhealthy within the morning, as with all alcohol, ingesting sufficient mezcal (learn: an excessive amount of) will certainly result in a hangover.
*Picture retrieved from Csar by way of inventory.adobe.com
