Convite Mezcal
By James Colino, Founder of Mezcal Culture
Oaxaca has an obsession with bugs and mezcal, but this bottle takes it to a whole new level.
Convite Una’ is a unique abocado with a purpose. Produced with the extract from a colorful little bug, this mezcal has a pink glow that looks great on your shelf. Even more, the purchase of each bottle directly supports breast cancer awareness. Convite donates 10% of proceeds from the sales of Una' to FUCAM.
But, how does it taste? And should you buy a bottle?
Brand: Convite Mezcal
Category: Artisanal - Abocado
Agave: Espadín
ABV: 40%
Region: San Baltazar Guelavila, Oaxaca
Production: Double Distilled in Copper
THE SNIFF:
- Slight smoke, herbal tones, and a hint of citrus.
THE KISS:
- Slightly sweet with a light touch of minerals and a wisp of smoke. The first taste zaps your tongue with a bit of heat.
THE COAT:
- Smooth but hot on the tongue, not drying. Floral notes emerge from the herbal tones with the taste of berries driving the sweetness.
THE SWALLOW:
- Intensity: Hot
- Complexity: Complex
- Body: Medium
- Length: Medium
- Smoke: Medium
Did I Like It? No - But you should buy a bottle (see why below)
OVERALL REVIEW: Convite Una' is easy on the eye, but a little sharp on the tongue for my taste. The nose opens with a slight whiff of rubbing alcohol, and hints of mesquite and fruit. On the palate, it has a sharp but temporary heat — surprising given the low 40% ABV. The finish is a little softer, and leaves behind a pleasant, lingering taste of berries and mild smoke.
I'll happily keep a bottle of this on my shelf in support of breast cancer awareness, but it’s probably not something I’m going to sip regularly. To put this in my rotation, I might need a pink cocktail to soften the edges.
If you have any cocktail suggestions, let me know!
BARTENDER'S NOTE: This mezcal is considered an “abocado” because it’s infused with carmine, a natural extract from the Cochineal bug. The Cochineal is a tiny, parasitic insect that spends its life clinging to the paddles of prickly pear cacti. Crush it, and it bleeds a vibrant crimson red. This dye has been used for centuries in Mexico. When used in the production process, the carmine gives Convite Una’ its distinct pink hue, a nod to supporting breast cancer awareness and charity initiatives. And what does Una’ mean? Well, it translates simply to "woman" in Zapotec. How cool is that?!
DOWNLOAD THE TASTING GUIDE:
Below is the tasting guide I use to capture my notes. I designed it to follow the way you "should" drink mezcal -- Sniff, Kiss, Coat, Swallow. You can download it here: Mezcal Tasting Guide | MezcalCulture.Com - 2026.pdf
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James Colino is the founder, chief editor and Chief Mezcal Officer of Mezcal Culture. He holds a Level 1 Mezcal Certification from the Agave Spirits Institute and can be found visiting mezcalerias across the world, host tastings at home for friends, or and working with bars on their agave programs.