Reviews / Oro de Oaxaca

Review · · by The Editors

Oro de Oaxaca

Gusano-in-the-bottle mezcal – mostly a conversation piece

Score: 2.5/5 agaves

Oro de Oaxaca bottle
  • Producer: Oro de Oaxaca
  • Region: Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca
  • Agave: Espadin
  • ABV: 38%
  • Price: $35 ($)

Verdict

Con gusano mezcals mostly exist to sell to drinkers who've seen the meme. Oro de Oaxaca does the format competently, the espadín underneath is cleanly made if not distinguished, and the worm doesn't do much either way. Pass unless you have a specific cultural-curiosity use for a gusano bottle.

The gusano is a shelf argument, not a flavor one

Tasting notes

Nose: Cooked agave, soft smoke, a savory note from the worm, vanilla

Palate: 38-40% of agreeable rail espadín with a gusano sitting in the bottom. The worm adds a faint umami suggestion; the proof takes most of it away

Finish: Short, sweet, trace of savory

The bottom line

Pass. Vida or Banhez do better work without the taxidermy

Where to buy online

We found this bottle at 3 US retailers. Prices and stock vary – click through to check.