Reviews / Riazuleño Clasico
Review ·
Riazuleño Clasico
Gelasio Cruz's entry espadín – clean but quiet
Score: 2.5/5 agaves
- Producer: Riazuleño Mezcal
- Maestro: Gelasio Cruz
- Region: San Dionisio Ocotepec, Oaxaca
- Agave: Espadin
- ABV: 40%
- Price: $55 ($$)
Verdict
Gelasio Cruz is a real mezcalero in a line that underplays him – 40% is a marketing hole his other bottle (Contemporáneo) climbs partway out of. Riazuleño Clásico doesn't do anything wrong; it just doesn't do enough. Banhez Ensamble for less money is the default recommendation over this. 2.5
Espadín at 40% is the bottle telling you not to take it seriously
Tasting notes
Nose: Cooked agave with a light smoke, a touch of green herb
Palate: 40% sets the ceiling fast; espadín's sweetness reads as the only move the bottle has. No weight behind the flavor
Finish: Short, clean, sugary
The bottom line
Pass; move up to Contemporáneo or sideways to Banhez or Mestiza Negra
Price check: $55 (2026-07-29).