Del Maguey VIDA Clásico vs Sombra 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	Sombra Joven
Our score	3.0/5	2.5/5
The public	2.8	2.9
Price	$36	$45
ABV	42%	45%
Agave	Espadin	Espadin
Region	San Luis del Rio, Oaxaca	San Juan del Rio, San Luis del Rio, Oaxaca

The call

Del Maguey VIDA Clásico takes it: the better score at the same or lower price.

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

Sombra Joven

Story first. Climb to the Sombra Ensamble instead

Nose: Light smoke, then cooked agave, green apple, vanilla

Palate: 45% is honest but the profile isn't – sweet, smooth, engineered to the price point, with Isaias Martinez Juan's work filed down by the brand's commercial goals

Finish: Clean, faintly sweet. Stays short

Read the full Sombra Joven review

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