Dos Hombres Espadin

Verdict

This is what happens when two famous people put their faces on a spirits brand and the producer optimizes for the shelf rather than the spirit. The bottle sells because Breaking Bad fans buy it; the mezcal is the afterthought the marketing doesn't need you to notice. At 42% there's nothing to taste and nothing to argue with. A Hollywood transaction with the category pinned underneath.

Tasting notes

Nose: Faint smoke, confected vanilla, alcoholic heat

Palate: Thin and sweet at 42% – built to hit a celebrity-brand price point without any production conviction

Finish: Slightly hot, short

The bottom line

For the fans. Vida outperforms at two-thirds the price

Where to buy online

We found this bottle at 5 US retailers. Prices and stock vary – click through to check.

• Caskers – $51
• Flaviar – $31
• Old Town Tequila – $55
• BevMo
• Oregon OLCC (state price) – $50