Sol de Oaxaca Reposado

Verdict

The best mezcal doesn't need a barrel to become itself; the worst mezcal hides in one. Sol de Oaxaca's reposado adds oak to an already thin joven and calls the result smoother. It is smoother. It's also less interesting than the unbarreled version next to it on the shelf. Skip. Whiskey drinkers will prefer whiskey.

Tasting notes

Nose: Light oak, then vanilla, cooked agave, faint smoke

Palate: 40% and barrel time give this a caramel coat that files down what little espadín character survived the low proof, smooth, sweet, generic

Finish: Oaky, clean. Short

The bottom line

A pass. The barrel isn't fixing anything