Hey Zack, just wanted to say I started getting more into Mezcal the past few months and your channel has been an invaluable resource for me. I think it would be interesting for you to compare different agave varietals and/or producing regions in broad terms. I.E. mezcals of X tend to be more floral vs mezcals of Y more vegetal etc. I realize that there's a ton of variables to take into account, but as someone new I have a hard time deciding what to try cause I just have no idea what to expect from say a Tobala vs a Jabali, or even if there IS much of a difference. So having a broad overview of the more popular varieties could be a helpful guide I think. Keep up the good work!
Can't argue about the quality of those five, but I agree that a top ten list here is in order (full Letterman treatment). Other commenters pointed out the Mal Bien, Lalocura, Jolgorio, but Rezpiral, Aguerrido (my current fav), Mezonte, and Cuish (the brand) all deserve consideration. And if you get a chance to do a tasting with Erick Rodriguez of Pal'Alma, do it! Keep the content coming!
Very true, a Letterman style top 10 would be pretty fun. I'll have to update this in the future and expand on it. All those brands you mentioned are simply incredible. Thanks for checking out the video and I really appreciate your input. It helps to know what other mezcales people love and enjoy. 😎
Hey! There are quite a few brands that could easily be subbed in and out in terms of quality / accessibiliy. Lalocura and La Luna included! But I was just going by the numbers, hahaha. Thanks for checking it out though, enjoy your weekend!
Nice content...just getting into tequila and mexcal...less than a month in...picked up my first mezcal (mal bien) and was pleasantly surprised at what I was tasting. So different than what I imagined. I'll be on the lookout for some of the brands you just mentioned.
Great channel, Zack. I can't find a lot of these expressions in Las Vegas. But I'm in socal regularly. Can you recommend a store in socal where I can find some of the good stuff? Thanks.
Tequila/mezcal popularity jumped up so fast and continues too , that I say by next year the prices are gonna soar , great video and knowledgeable thanks
I’ve had some of the brads you’ve mentioned and will keep an eye out for the others. I like the real Minero, 5 Centidos, and Neta. Also enjoy the El Jolgario (sp?), Mal Bien, and La Laquora (sp?)
I love vago’s elote by Hijos, definitely a excellent mezcal especially for the price point. I recently got Tio Rey’s pechuga and can’t wait to try that one out. Cinco sientidos is one of my favorite brands as well.
I have a bottle of the Cinco Sentidos Sierra Negra on the way that I’m get into. Have you tried that particular one before? Let me know! Their restaurant Destilado in Oaxaca is also worth mentioning, one of my favorite meals in Mexico!
I had the Sierra Negra a couple years ago and remember it well, it was fantastic. I hope this recent batch you have is just as good. Destilado is frickin awesome! Great food and I love sitting at the bar upstairs, you meet some great people sitting around there and sipping the good stuff. Thanks for watching, Ben. Talk to you soon!
If there was a top 10, they all 3 you mentioned would have been in there (and well deserved). All 3 were close but a vote or two short out of the sample size of 100 people. FYI, my top 3 are Neta, Mal Bien and Maguey Melate and only one of my favs made it in the top 5. Thanks for watching though, have a great rest of your Saturday!
I thought us poor Mezcal liking Canadians up here in the great white north would be left out with none of the favs available up here, but I can get Cinco Sentidos. I have liked all the bottles I have tried.
@@ZackKlamn I think I hit a plateau with ~$50 Espadin bottles, Jarquin Madrecuish spoiled me. Taking a break before I make that jump to the next level, lots to consider... I can order a Tio Rey ensemble but they seem to be hit or miss. I'm thinking of maybe something like Lagrimas de Dolores Masparilla, or the Madrecuish from Cuish Mezcales
@@psilo110 that Lagrimas Masparillo is pretty bomb! As is the Cuish Madrecuishe. I'd go with the Masparillo if you haven't tried too many Durnago mezcales yet.
Just returned from Oaxaca and visited 3 Palenques with the guide Tomás Ramirez, / We tasted at La Desendencia, (Felix) Palenque el Conejo (Antonio) y Palenque Dada Roo (Juan sr. de las canas). Also went to Distilado in Oaxaca City where I tasted 4-5 mezcals from 5 Sentidos, I especially enjoyed tasting a bottle that contained:Cumarron, Cucharillo y Papalome.
I guess its a category called curators as the brand itself doesnt actually produce mezcal. I would throw Derrumbes in there as well, their Guerrero, Durango and SLP expressions are world class imho.
Great point! Although Real Minero would be the only brand of the five who produce and sell wholly from within (i.e., not a curator). That Derrumbes Durango is the best in their line IMO. So good. One thing Derrumbes have done well here in the USA is with the 200 mL options. I seem to always be going on about that but it's such a great way to dip your toe into an agave/region/brand/etc. and see if it's for you without splurging for a whole bottle.
@@barboshaa Yeah, buddy! FAA is a master. I have a some of his tepeztate left from when I visited his palenque last. Amazing stuff! Have a great day! 😎
That’s debatable, it’s important to be certified by comercam or other institution; it’s the only way to have a third party inspecting every batch making sure you don’t add “weird stuff” to the juice
Just found your channel , been hooked on MEZCAL since my trip to OAXACA two years ago. Good to see content on this .
Hey Zack, just wanted to say I started getting more into Mezcal the past few months and your channel has been an invaluable resource for me. I think it would be interesting for you to compare different agave varietals and/or producing regions in broad terms. I.E. mezcals of X tend to be more floral vs mezcals of Y more vegetal etc. I realize that there's a ton of variables to take into account, but as someone new I have a hard time deciding what to try cause I just have no idea what to expect from say a Tobala vs a Jabali, or even if there IS much of a difference. So having a broad overview of the more popular varieties could be a helpful guide I think. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Zack! I’ve been thinking about what brands to look into next and this list is wonderful.
No worries, Kevin. Happy to help. Let me know if you pull the trigger on any of these brands and what you think of the bottle. 😎
Can't argue about the quality of those five, but I agree that a top ten list here is in order (full Letterman treatment). Other commenters pointed out the Mal Bien, Lalocura, Jolgorio, but Rezpiral, Aguerrido (my current fav), Mezonte, and Cuish (the brand) all deserve consideration. And if you get a chance to do a tasting with Erick Rodriguez of Pal'Alma, do it! Keep the content coming!
Very true, a Letterman style top 10 would be pretty fun. I'll have to update this in the future and expand on it. All those brands you mentioned are simply incredible. Thanks for checking out the video and I really appreciate your input. It helps to know what other mezcales people love and enjoy. 😎
Great list Zack! your voters did well. I think Lalocura and La Luna deserve a mention and La Luna is fairly accessible in my area.
Hey! There are quite a few brands that could easily be subbed in and out in terms of quality / accessibiliy. Lalocura and La Luna included! But I was just going by the numbers, hahaha. Thanks for checking it out though, enjoy your weekend!
Nice content...just getting into tequila and mexcal...less than a month in...picked up my first mezcal (mal bien) and was pleasantly surprised at what I was tasting. So different than what I imagined. I'll be on the lookout for some of the brands you just mentioned.
Thank you! Enjoy the journey, my friend! Which Mal Bien did you pick up? And... let me know what you get next and how you like it. 😎
Hay Zack, any chance you have located and/or know the name of the tasting room for Pal Alma in Mexico city. I will be there next week.
Great channel, Zack. I can't find a lot of these expressions in Las Vegas. But I'm in socal regularly. Can you recommend a store in socal where I can find some of the good stuff? Thanks.
I'd recommend trying the Pierde Almas Mezcals !! Their wild Tepextate is a fav!! Also why haven't you reviewed any Jabali's? Missing out ;)
Tequila/mezcal popularity jumped up so fast and continues too , that I say by next year the prices are gonna soar , great video and knowledgeable thanks
I’ve had some of the brads you’ve mentioned and will keep an eye out for the others. I like the real Minero, 5 Centidos, and Neta. Also enjoy the El Jolgario (sp?), Mal Bien, and La Laquora (sp?)
Thanks for this video. I love your reviews and opinion, would love to hear your thoughts on LOS SIETE MISTERIOS - DOBA-YEJ Mezcal!
Mezcal is so subjective but I agree with your choices my man!
I share a few of your Top 5s!
I love vago’s elote by Hijos, definitely a excellent mezcal especially for the price point. I recently got Tio Rey’s pechuga and can’t wait to try that one out. Cinco sientidos is one of my favorite brands as well.
100%!! That elote is so damn good for the price point. 😎
Awesome video man!
I have a bottle of the Cinco Sentidos Sierra Negra on the way that I’m get into. Have you tried that particular one before? Let me know! Their restaurant Destilado in Oaxaca is also worth mentioning, one of my favorite meals in Mexico!
I had the Sierra Negra a couple years ago and remember it well, it was fantastic. I hope this recent batch you have is just as good. Destilado is frickin awesome! Great food and I love sitting at the bar upstairs, you meet some great people sitting around there and sipping the good stuff. Thanks for watching, Ben. Talk to you soon!
Thumbs up for Destilado. And indeed I did meet some cool people upstairs over dinner and drinkies.
I'm surprised that Lalocura, El Jolgorio, and Mal Bien didn't make the list, but more for me I guess
If there was a top 10, they all 3 you mentioned would have been in there (and well deserved). All 3 were close but a vote or two short out of the sample size of 100 people. FYI, my top 3 are Neta, Mal Bien and Maguey Melate and only one of my favs made it in the top 5. Thanks for watching though, have a great rest of your Saturday!
Honorable mention to Mezonte and La Luna. Hope all is well brother
I thought us poor Mezcal liking Canadians up here in the great white north would be left out with none of the favs available up here, but I can get Cinco Sentidos. I have liked all the bottles I have tried.
You guys have been getting some great stuff the last year especially. Canada loves Mezcal... yeeeew!!! 😎
Just ordered the Vago Joel Barriga Espadin, looking forward to comparing it to the Jarquin
The Barriga Espadin is great too, I like em both. But... what matters is what you think! Lemme know when you give it a try.
@@ZackKlamn Joel's Espadin was good, Emigdio does it better
@@psilo110 glad you gave it a try! What bottle is next??? 😎
@@ZackKlamn I think I hit a plateau with ~$50 Espadin bottles, Jarquin Madrecuish spoiled me. Taking a break before I make that jump to the next level, lots to consider... I can order a Tio Rey ensemble but they seem to be hit or miss. I'm thinking of maybe something like Lagrimas de Dolores Masparilla, or the Madrecuish from Cuish Mezcales
@@psilo110 that Lagrimas Masparillo is pretty bomb! As is the Cuish Madrecuishe. I'd go with the Masparillo if you haven't tried too many Durnago mezcales yet.
Just returned from Oaxaca and visited 3 Palenques with the guide Tomás Ramirez, / We tasted at La Desendencia, (Felix) Palenque el Conejo (Antonio) y Palenque Dada Roo (Juan sr. de las canas). Also went to Distilado in Oaxaca City where I tasted 4-5 mezcals from 5 Sentidos, I especially enjoyed tasting a bottle that contained:Cumarron, Cucharillo y Papalome.
And I’ve also had excellent luck with Lalocura and Alipús.
Both are great brands too! Lalo was verrrrrrry close.
what's your opinion on the brands rey campero, macurichos, and la luna?
I guess its a category called curators as the brand itself doesnt actually produce mezcal. I would throw Derrumbes in there as well, their Guerrero, Durango and SLP expressions are world class imho.
Great point! Although Real Minero would be the only brand of the five who produce and sell wholly from within (i.e., not a curator). That Derrumbes Durango is the best in their line IMO. So good. One thing Derrumbes have done well here in the USA is with the 200 mL options. I seem to always be going on about that but it's such a great way to dip your toe into an agave/region/brand/etc. and see if it's for you without splurging for a whole bottle.
La Luna Mezcal from Michoacán should be on this list
I just bought it without doing any research and hoped someone recommended it
Zach loves La Luna (honorable mention) Maguey Malate is doing cool stuff dunno if it stands alone because it's not retailed traditionally
I like the mid range prob cause all i can afford lol like Nuestra Soledad and Rey campero
When will you be releasing the 2023 best and 2024 updated
Best Trailer Ever!! #Legendary
Good list 🥃🤌🏽
I love pechuga style mescal
What happened to La Locura ?
No Ray Campero?
Hard to argue with those choices, but I don't mind if you leave Lalo off the list...more for me. *s*
Lalo was close to be honest. But totally, haha, more for us to enjoy. Thanks a ton for checking it out! 😎
Glad you left Felix Angeles out of the list!! More for me
@@barboshaa Yeah, buddy! FAA is a master. I have a some of his tepeztate left from when I visited his palenque last. Amazing stuff! Have a great day! 😎
Palomo tepextate is the best i’ve ever had so far
I haven't had the chance to try that one yet, Tepextates are usually so delicious too! Thanks for your feedback and checking this out. 😎
5 sentidos is not mezcal, it is a “destilado de agave” as they aren’t certified by COMERCAM, that’s why you won’t find in the label the word “mezcal”
thats a mezcal without paying the money to be certified
That’s debatable, it’s important to be certified by comercam or other institution; it’s the only way to have a third party inspecting every batch making sure you don’t add “weird stuff” to the juice
pára todo mal un mezcal para todo bien tanbien