Ilegal Mezcal
ABOUT:
Ilegal Mezcal was born out of a rebellious spirit, originally smuggled across the border from Oaxaca to Guatemala by founder John Rexer to supply his legendary bar, Café No Sé. Today, it is one of the leading artisanal mezcal brands in the world, yet it remains deeply committed to its original values and activism. Driven by the belief that a business should defend its values at its door, Ilegal actively raises funds for causes like undocumented youth, women's reproductive rights, and LGBTQ advocacy. Handcrafted in small batches by fourth-generation mezcaleros in the Santiago Matatlán Valley, their mezcals are 100% natural, using no artificial colors, yeasts, or additives—just perfectly ripe Espadín agave, sun, and time. Furthermore, to combat deforestation, they strictly use certified sustainable wood for their traditional earthen pit roasting.
WEBSITE:
https://www.ilegalmezcal.com/
MEZCALS OFFERED:
Joven: An un-aged expression that beautifully highlights the natural, full-bodied flavor of the Espadín agave. The nose opens with inviting eucalyptus and mineral aromas that complement bright hints of green apple, fresh citrus, and red chiltepe. On the palate, it delivers a perfectly balanced profile with light smoke and a lingering, warming heat, making it an ideal mezcal for cocktails or sipping neat.
Reposado: A velvety and exceptionally smooth drinking mezcal. Each lot is aged to taste for 6 months using a combination of new and used medium-char American oak barrels sourced from a historic family-run cooperage. The aging process introduces enticing aromas of caramelized pear and bitter orange, yielding a rich palate layered with clove, butterscotch, and warm hints of vanilla.
Añejo: A gorgeous, complex spirit designed to rival the world's finest scotches and cognacs. Aged to taste for 13 months in a combination of new and used medium-char American oak barrels, it achieves a rounded, full, and rich—yet untamed—character. It greets the nose with sophisticated aromas of maple, clove, and bitter orange, while the palate rewards the drinker with decadent notes of dark chocolate perfectly balanced against sweet roasted agave.