The Mezcal Tasting Journal
A bottle can reveal something different with every pour. In the Mezcal Culture Tasting Journal, founder James Colino shares his tasting notes from the mezcals he explores, including observations on aroma, flavor, texture, and finish.
Originally shared in our newsletter, these experiences now live here as a resource for anyone curious about a particular bottle or interested in learning how different mezcals express themselves.
LATEST TASTING BOTTLES
Firsthand notes from James's recent tastings, including the bottles, agaves, and flavors that stood out.
Join Mezcal Culture founder James Colino for a detailed tasting review of Macurichos Ancestral Tobalá. This article breaks down a 47.8% ABV wild agave spirit produced by Maestro Mezcalero Gonzalo Martínez Sernas in Santiago Matatlán. Readers will learn how clay pot distillation creates a balanced profile featuring soft minerality, roasted peaches, and fresh vanilla.
Join Mezcal Culture founder James Colino for a tasting review of Quiereme Mucho Tepextate. This article breaks down a 45% ABV artesanal mezcal crafted by Violeta Arenas Mesora in San Pedro Taviche, Oaxaca. Readers will learn about the wild agave's 25-year growth cycle and how it produces distinct notes of green bell pepper and fresh-cut grass.
Join Mezcal Culture founder James Colino for a detailed tasting review of Gusto Histórico Madrecuixe. This article breaks down a 52% ABV destilado de agave produced by Maestro Mezcalero Victor Ramos in Mengolí de Morelos, Oaxaca. Readers will learn how to identify the spirit's complex vegetal notes, including tobacco and cool mint, while exploring what the "destilado de agave" classification means.
ESPADILLA BOTTLES
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Join Mezcal Culture founder James Colino for a detailed tasting review of 5 Sentidos Pechuga. This article breaks down the highly complex flavor profile of an Espadilla agave spirit distilled in Zoyatla, Puebla. Readers will learn how the addition of raw chicken and mole poblano ingredients creates distinct savory notes of roasted cacao and dried chiles.
ESPADIN BOTTLES
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Join Mezcal Culture founder James Colino for a tasting review of Convite Una'. This article breaks down the flavor profile of a 40% ABV pink abocado mezcal made from Espadín agave in San Baltazar Guelavila, Oaxaca. Readers will learn how the spirit gets its vibrant color from the Cochineal bug and how each bottle supports breast cancer awareness through FUCAM.
Join Mezcal Culture founder James Colino for a detailed tasting review of NETA Mezcal. This article explores a May 2019 artisanal ensamble of Espadín and Madrecuixe produced by Maestro Mezcalero Ranulfo García Pacheco in Miahuatlán. Readers will learn how the farm-to-bottle approach imparts bright citrus and tropical fruit notes into this specific 47% ABV batch.
Mezcal Culture founder James Colino shares a detailed tasting review of the Madre Mezcal Ancestral Ensamble. This online guide breaks down the flavor profile of an Espadin and Tobasiche blend from Oaxaca. Readers will learn how to identify specific notes like roasted melon and cedar while utilizing a downloadable mezcal tasting guide.
MADRECUIXE BOTTLES
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Join Mezcal Culture founder James Colino for a detailed tasting review of Gusto Histórico Madrecuixe. This article breaks down a 52% ABV destilado de agave produced by Maestro Mezcalero Victor Ramos in Mengolí de Morelos, Oaxaca. Readers will learn how to identify the spirit's complex vegetal notes, including tobacco and cool mint, while exploring what the "destilado de agave" classification means.
Join Mezcal Culture founder James Colino for a detailed tasting review of NETA Mezcal. This article explores a May 2019 artisanal ensamble of Espadín and Madrecuixe produced by Maestro Mezcalero Ranulfo García Pacheco in Miahuatlán. Readers will learn how the farm-to-bottle approach imparts bright citrus and tropical fruit notes into this specific 47% ABV batch.
MEXICANO BOTTLES
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Join Mezcal Culture founder James Colino for a detailed tasting review of Mezcasiarca. This article breaks down the flavor profile of a 51% ABV artisanal Mexicano agave spirit produced in Yeguesia. Readers will learn how to identify specific notes like roasted poblano and ripe pineapple while exploring the cultural history behind the bottle.
TEPEXTATE BOTTLES
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Join Mezcal Culture founder James Colino for a tasting review of Quiereme Mucho Tepextate. This article breaks down a 45% ABV artesanal mezcal crafted by Violeta Arenas Mesora in San Pedro Taviche, Oaxaca. Readers will learn about the wild agave's 25-year growth cycle and how it produces distinct notes of green bell pepper and fresh-cut grass.
TOBALA BOTTLES
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Join Mezcal Culture founder James Colino for a detailed tasting review of Macurichos Ancestral Tobalá. This article breaks down a 47.8% ABV wild agave spirit produced by Maestro Mezcalero Gonzalo Martínez Sernas in Santiago Matatlán. Readers will learn how clay pot distillation creates a balanced profile featuring soft minerality, roasted peaches, and fresh vanilla.
MEXICANO BOTTLES
Add a paragraph here.
Mezcal Culture founder James Colino shares a detailed tasting review of the Madre Mezcal Ancestral Ensamble. This online guide breaks down the flavor profile of an Espadin and Tobasiche blend from Oaxaca. Readers will learn how to identify specific notes like roasted melon and cedar while utilizing a downloadable mezcal tasting guide.