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  1. Chris at |

    I’m a relative newcomer to mezcal, but have to say that after trying over a dozen different mezcals in the $40-90 per bottle range, I appreciate Escorpion Mezcal’s Barril, Espadin, and Pechuga mezcals over several others. They sell for ~$24 per 375 ml (half-size) bottle. I was surprised to see them at the bottom of the list, but to each their own!

    I also recently tried La Venenosa’s Green Label at an east coast (US) mezcal bar and found it very complex, intriguing, and highly enjoyable. Perhaps a worthy addition to your list…

    Thanks for a great book and website!

    Reply
    1. Mezcal PhD at |

      Chris, thanks for writing in. I think Doug French of Scorpion and Escorpion makes some nice spirits. What moves them down the MEZCAL list for me is that they cook the pinas in aboveground, brick ovens. That is fine and tequila has been using this technique since the late 1800s. But his mezcals taste more like tequilas for me, but agree they would qualify as artisanal tequilas which I respect for sure. So if you like them, drink them because they are hand-crafted spirits!!

      As for Venenosa, they are raciallas so I do not have them on this list (or sotols or bacanora). Their whole line is very complex – I would agree with you. Glad you enjoy the book and the website – give me an Amazon review if you have a moment and the inclination!!

      Reply
      1. Chris at |

        John,

        Thanks for the response and clarification. I noticed after I posted that you mention Venenosa in your book, and now appreciate the distinction.

        I look forward to sampling some of the mezcals toward the top of your list. Cheers!

        Reply
        1. Mezcal PhD at |

          Cheers as well! Drink Mezcal!!

          Reply
    2. EFRAIN NOLASCO LOPEZ at |

      Hey Guys , Mezcal BENESIN Y SAN JUAN DEL RIO mezcal Fueron los primeros mezcales con certificacion organica en USA. Antes que cualquier otro TEQUILA organico Y son mezcales ARTESANALES ,Asi que informese por favor

      Reply
      1. Mezcal PhD at |

        That’s great but Benesin is industrial mezcal and tastes every bit of it. Inform yourself!

        Reply
  2. oscar de los santos at |

    Hi,I would like to send you a bottle for a tasting maybe a meet and greet would be nice.

    Mezcal de los Santos
    instagram : mezcaldls

    Reply
    1. Mezcal PhD at |

      That is very kind. Please send me an email at [email protected] and we can figure it out.

      Reply
  3. Patrick at |

    What are your thoughts on Reyes y Cobardes?

    Reply
    1. Mezcal PhD at |

      I have never heard of that brand. I assume it is not in the US, right?

      Reply
  4. Yako at |

    El Tinieblo is all of the sudden all over LA, NY and MIA btw – Been drinking it a lot at bars and restaurants. For a while, some 18 months ago I couldn’t find it anywhere but then one day about 6 months ago…..poof! There it was …..EVERYWHERE. Soooo good!

    Reply
    1. Mezcal PhD at |

      Yeah, it kind of disappeared. But I have not seen it on NYC at all for years it seems. I don;t really miss it as it is just OK for me. Thanks for writing in!

      Reply
  5. Adam at |

    I have a bottle of La Fogata, sold at the Montgomery County, MD county ABC store. Very nice, smooth. Sticker claims a 92 score from some website or reviewer. Like it a lot.

    Reply
    1. Adam at |

      Oh, and one other thing, the La Fogata bottle seems to be hand blown, with a green spiral around the neck. Nice.

      Reply
    2. Mezcal PhD at |

      I always say drink what you like, so if it works for you, right on! But for me, when I stack up that anejo with other aged mezcals, I do not like it nearly as much as several others. But that’s what makes a market! Thanks for contributing.

      Reply
  6. Winston at |

    I’ve noticed you didn’t include realdejapla’s aztecali in the list of Mezcals. Is it because it’s really just a tequila using blue agave?

    Reply
    1. Mezcal PhD at |

      I am OK with them making a mezcal from blue agave. I simply did not come across this in my research for thanks for the tip. Have you tried it?

      Reply
  7. […] States, we checked the following mezcals against Mezcal PhD’s comprehensive list of 120+ Mezcal Brands Found in the U.S., which was updated in October 2016 [as of this writing]. Let’s look at some of these […]

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