Wine Enthusiast – October 2019

WINEMAG.COM | 111

92 

Erstwhile Arro-

queño (Mexico

Erstwhile Mezcal, Brook-

lyn, NY). For those who

prefer a smokier mez-

cal profi le, this bottling

off ers a fresh, lightly

minty aroma, but it hits

squarely on the palate

with a dark, moody mix

of menthol, spearmint

and smoke. The elon-

gated fi nish is driven by

licorice, star anise and

black pepper.

abv: 44% Price: $123

91 

Bozal Tepeztate

(Mexico; 3 Badge

Beverage, Sonoma, CA).

The fruity aroma en-

twines ripe pineapple

and bell pepper. The no-

tably silky palate opens

with a pronounced pet-

rol note, which fades to

mellower tropical fruit

and fi nishes with plenty

of peppery sting.

abv: 45% Price: $80

91 

Creyente Mezcal

Joven (Mexico;

Proximo Spirits, Jersey

City, NJ). The aroma

mixes honey and fl o-

ral notes with a zestier

zing. On the palate, the

balance shift s, as bold

zesty-savory notes come

forward and fl oral and

mineral notes take a

more subtle role. A rib-

bon of smoke ties it all

together and waft s into

the fi nish.

abv: 40% Price: $50

91 

Del Maguey Single

Village Mezcal

Espadin Especial (Mex-

ico; Pernod Ricard, New

York, NY). The remark-

able aroma is jammed

with pineapple, earthy

roasted notes and a faint

touch of vanilla. This

mouthwatering mezcal

mixes sweet and salty

sensations on the palate,

along with just the right

amount of smoke.

abv: 45% Price: $90

91 

Luminar Joven

(Mexico; DWLL,

Los Angeles, CA). Sweet

almond leads the nose

and palate. What opens

with gentle cinnamon

and almond soon accel-

erates to a spicy rumble,

as black pepper, haba-

nero and cayenne singe

the fi nish. Together, it

makes for a surprisingly

addictive sweet heat.

Best Buy.

abv: 40% Price: $30

90 

Montelobos To-

balá (Mexico;

William Grant, New

York, NY). Delicate

white fl ower and coco-

nut aromas lead into

a jalapeño- laced pal-

ate overlaid with nutty

sweetness. The bracing,

citrusy fi nish makes the

mouth water.

abv: 46.8% Price: $100