Mezcal- Gift

[ms. mika]

I am hoping for some recommendations of a bottle of mezcal I can get my husband for his birthday. I am thinking a price range of $50-$70. He doesn't currently have any and I was looking at the different kinds available and was getting a bit overwhelmed.

It looks like there are various kinds of Del Maguey available - anyone has a favorite or opinion on these?

Del Maguey Chichicapa Single Village Mezcal

Del Maguey Minero Mezcal

Del Maguey San Luis Rios Single Village Mezcal

Del Maguey Santa Domingo Albarradas Mezcal

Del Maguey Mezcal Vida

[ncyankee101]

I'm surprised to see people saying the Vida is too harsh to sip, especially since it is just a lower-proof version of the San Luis. I have mot tried any of the other Del magueys but I quite like the Vida, not quite as much as sombra.

[maxgarrone]

I use Vida as my preferred mezcal cocktail agent since it has the body, alcohol and degree of smoke that works well when mixed with other agents. Plus the price point makes it ideal for experimentation. Del Maguey's Crema is another alternative but it's so sweet and heavy bodied that it's only going to work for some cocktails. I can see whoo0meyee's point about Illegal Joven as a good entry in the margarita sweepstakes but I'd definitely save the Fidencio for sipping since it's such a sleek mezcal.

[yarm]

It's more than just the 84 vs. 96 proof. The Vida includes more heads and impurities from the distillation so they can stretch more of the alcohol out of the ferment. The extra care that goes into the San Luis explains why it is twice as expensive.

[ncyankee101]

Surprisingly enough Vida scored very highly here, and last year was the highest rated of the Del Magueys. I wonder what the judges' criteria are regarding mezcal, because in prior years some of the Mezcals most favored by enthusiasts, such as Minero and Chichicapa, did not score well. On the other hand they have consistently rated Sombra very high and it is my favorite that I have tried so far.

I also seriously wonder where they came up with the price of $39 for Ilegal reposado, I see it for ~$70.

http://www.ultimate-beverage.com/the-...

[ms. mika]

Thanks for all of the input- this is very helpful. I don't think he'll be sipping this- mostly mixing in cocktails so if there's not a huge variation between some of these, I'm not sure it will make a big difference, but I agree- I'll skip the Vida.
I live in Chicago so was just listing some of the ones I see online they sell here- but will check it out and see what options I have.

[barleywino]

if he prefers something sweeter, he can try the Del Maguey Crema de Mezcal

[whoo0meyee]

I'm a bartender in NYC and I have to say that Ilegal is ideal for mixing. If he's looking to mix then use the joven. It's less smoke than the other mezcals but in my opinion it's tastier. It will make a killer margarita for sure! It's a sleek looking bottle also.

[ms. mika]

I just looked on their website and it looks like it's only in restaurants here in Chicago and not sold in stores. Thanks for your input though.

[antimony]

The Vida is the less-expensive entry blend in Del Maguey's line; with the price range you're willing to spend, skip it. (It's not bad, and it's a decent value at the lower price, but skip it for a birthday present.) I've only had any of the others in a restaurant tasting flight; I remember liking the Chichicapa, but I don't remember exactly why.

For non-Del Magueys: The Ilegal Joven is very smooth -- mild, as mezcals go. And on the bolder side, I just bought a bottle of Sombra and really like it.

[ncyankee101]

Sombra is my favorite among the bottles i currently have open, then vida, then fidencio clasico and sin humo. I have yet to openmy los danzantes repo which is supposed to be outstanding. I have also had a small sample of pierde almas dobadaan and it was excellent.

[yarm]

Vida is a little to harsh to sip and is great for mixing. The first three are all good for sipping or mixing; the fourth I am unfamiliar with. The differences between these three are notable when tasted side by side, but overall not grand (i could not taste a blind sample and tell you which was which like I can with gins). All can be described by various degrees of citrus, floral, earthy, and smoky. If he is not a fan of smoke, there are other mezcals to recommend like Fidencio Sin Humo Joven (without smoke, lightly aged) that lack it entirely, or others that are light on it (the rest of the Fidencio line).

http://cocktailvirgin.blogspot.com/

[nickls]

Whoa, Fidencio is light on smoke compared to Del Maguey? How much smoke can you get into a mezcal? I tried the Fidencio Clasico and have a bottle of the Madrecuixe, and I found them both to be very smoky, especially the Madrecuixe. Haven't tried any of the Del Magueys yet for comparison.

[yarm]

Most of the Del Maguey mezcals can be added as a barspoon in a cocktail to donate a nice smoky aroma and taste. I felt this effect would be lost in the regular Fidencio; never tried the Madrecuixe.