Reviews / IBA 55

Review · · by The Editors

IBA 55

IBA at full volume – kosher certification plus real proof

Score: 3.5/5 agaves

IBA 55 bottle
  • Producer: IBA Mezcal
  • Maestro: Faustino Ramos
  • Region: San Pablo Huixtepec, Oaxaca
  • Agave: Espadin
  • ABV: 55%
  • Price: $55 ($)

Verdict

IBA 55 is the argument for their existence. It's a kosher-certified espadín at real mezcal proof, and it drinks like a serious San Pablo Huixtepec bottle rather than an event-compliance SKU. Buy this over the IBA 40 every time, the price gap is small, the quality gap is enormous. Reminds us of Dixeebe's 52% conviction, at a different volume.

What happens when a brand stops hiding behind low proof

Tasting notes

Nose: A green top over cooked agave, herb, cool smoke, citrus peel

Palate: 55% – the jump from 40% to 55% changes everything; the espadín now has shoulders, with bright green-herb aromatics and a real agave body underneath

Finish: Warm, clean. Long

The bottom line

Buy. Kosher certification without proof sacrifice

Where to buy online

We found this bottle at 1 US retailer. Prices and stock vary – click through to check.

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