Mestizo Anejo

Verdict

Aged mezcal at 40% is almost always a losing bet, because the proof can't carry the barrel's weight. Mestizo Añejo avoids collapse thanks to Juan José Méndez-León Jiménez's clean espadín underneath, but it's still a bottle that asks you to value oak over agave. Pour it for the curious; reach for a higher-proof joven first.

Tasting notes

Nose: Vanilla, dried fig, toasted oak, a ghost of the espadín underneath

Palate: 40% and aged, the wood wins most of the argument, but Méndez-León's base spirit is good enough that the oak adds rather than subtracts

Finish: Medium-long, oaky, sweet

The bottom line

Pour for curiosity. An honest aged espadín, nothing more

Where to buy online

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

• Total Wine – $56
• BevMo
• Old Town Tequila – $65
• Flaviar
• Saratoga Wine