Mezcasiarca Mezcal
By James Colino, Founder of Mezcal Culture
I love a good Mexicano. But they're not all good. This one is produced by the famous In Situ brand from Oaxaca. I’ve been to their mezcaleria…if you ever get the chance...please go. It's impressive. Below are my notes from a recent tasting:
Brand: Mezcasiarca
Category: Destilado de Agave (Artisanal)
Agave: Mexicano (A. rhodacantha)
Distillation: Copper pot
ABV: 51%
Region: Yeguesia
Lot/Year: 2022
SNIFF:
- Floral, ripe pineapple, damp wood.
KISS:
- Sweet. Notes of chocolate and tropical fruit.
COAT:
- More chocolate, fruit, and roasted poblano peppers. This mezcal coats your tongue nicely while subtle hints of cinnamon and wood emerge.
SWALLOW:
- Intensity: Smooth but Hot
- Complexity: Complex
- Mouthfeel: Viscous and Creamy
- Length: Long
- Smoke: Light
- Did I Like It? YES!
OVERALL REVIEW: This is a very good expression of Mexicano. It has a pleasant nose featuring a delicate blend of flowers and fruit. It’s what I would call a smooth and wet mezcal – opposed to rough and dry. This makes it easy to drink. What I also like is the complexity. It transforms quite a bit from the kiss to the finish ending with a spicy heat. It stays on your tongue for awhile and continues to mature in your mouth adopting a little bit of a woody tone. Overall, I like it and I don’t always say that about every Mexicano I drink. I’ll pour this again in a heartbeat.
BARTENDER'S NOTE: The name "Mezcasiarca" refers to the individuals (traditionally women) who serve mezcal at important Oaxacan community gatherings. Interestingly, Maestro Mezcalero Israel Perez Santiago crafted this specific batch as a liquid tribute to his late mother, blending delicate floral notes to evoke the white flowers and candles of her altar.
DOWNLOAD THE TASTING GUIDE:
To simplify my own tasting process (and teach others), I developed a "tasting guide". You can download it here: Mezcal Tasting Guide | MezcalCulture.Com - 2026.pdf
The tasting guide follows both the process of how to taste mezcal AND some simple ways to identify what you're tasting.
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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.