Del Maguey VIDA Clásico vs Ilegal Joven
Two bottles that end up on the same shelf, tasted the same way on the same rubric. Scores, current average US prices, and the call.
| Del Maguey VIDA Clásico | Ilegal Joven | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 3.0/5 | 2.0/5 |
| The public | 2.8 | 2.6 |
| Price | $36 | $29 |
| ABV | 42% | 40% |
| Agave | Espadin | Espadin |
| Region | San Luis del Rio, Oaxaca | Tlacolula, Oaxaca |
The call
Del Maguey VIDA Clásico outscores it by 1.0 and costs $7 more. We would pay the difference for drinking neat and keep Ilegal Joven for cocktails.
Del Maguey VIDA Clásico
Underrated as a category workhorse. Overrated as a sipper
Nose: Campfire smoke up front, green banana, a little acetone on a warm pour
Palate: Bright, a touch thin, with sweet agave under the smoke. Less refined than the rest of the Del Maguey range
Finish: Peppery, clean – short
Read the full Del Maguey VIDA Clásico review
Ilegal Joven
You're buying the story. At $23 to $34, fine is a ceiling
Nose: Soft smoke, lemon peel, cooked agave, a faint commercial sweetness
Palate: Round, approachable, industrial in the way mid-proof commercial mezcal can't help being. Less rustic character than the price suggests
Finish: Clean, slightly sweet
Read the full Ilegal Joven review
More comparisons
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