Reviews / Mezcalero No. 19

Review · · by The Editors

Mezcalero No. 19

Cirial and espadín – Baltazar Cruz's uncommon karwinskii blend

Score: 4.0/5 agaves

Mezcalero No. 19 bottle
  • Producer: Mezcalero Mezcal
  • Maestro: Baltazar Cruz Gomez
  • Region: San Luis del Rio, Oaxaca
  • Agave: Cirial, Espadin
  • ABV: 47.8%
  • Price: $70 ($)

Verdict

Baltazar Cruz Gomez works in a quieter tradition of karwinskii agaves (cirial in particular), and Mezcalero No. 19 is a strong argument for paying attention. The blend is structured, the proof is set right, and the result is the sort of single-lot bottle that Mezcalosfera devotees will recognize as kin. Pour it in a karwinskii flight.

Cirial is another karwinskii you should know. Mezcalero makes the introduction

Tasting notes

Nose: Dry grass, then white pepper, green fruit, wet stone

Palate: 47.8% with cirial's lean, dry karwinskii character anchoring the mid-palate and espadín filling in the weight, the result drinks more like a wild-forward bottle than an espadín-forward one

Finish: Long, mineral, peppery

The bottom line

Buy when found. Uncommon karwinskii done right

Where to buy online

We found this bottle at 2 US retailers. Prices and stock vary – click through to check.

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