Cinco de Mayo is almost upon us, and while everyone around you might be screaming for tequila, we want to remind you of the oft forgotten Mezcal. Mezcal Vago prides itself on its process. In the case of Mezcal Vago Elote, it’s made by Aquilino Garcia, the father-in-law of Mezcal Vago’s co-founder. He produces his own Mezcal in small batches from mature, ripe agaves (in this case Espadin), that are roasted, crushed under a tohana (big stone wheel pulled by a donkey), and then fermented in pine vats before being distilled. The process is honestly fascinating, and they’ve done an amazing job of demonstrating it on their website (which I encourage you to look at if just to see the donkey pulling the tohana).
With all the work that goes into making Mezcal Vago Elote, the price is understandable. Is it worth it though?
Mezcal Vago Elote
Sight: Clear.
Smell: Honeycomb, jalapenos, and fresh cut flowers waft out of the nose. Hints of herbs, smoke, and citrus run down the edges. Touches of tropical fruits join in giving a levity. There’s also a woodsy sort of perfume. as well.
Sip: The start is light, bright, and with a slight salinity. The elements of green peppers and honeycomb combine with smoke and perfume like notes. There’s not really any sweetness, but the body has a thick weight. There’s quite a bit of citrus and pepper here.
Savor: The ending is perfumed, laced with citrus, smoke, and herbal notes. There’s a touch of bitterness here that lingers.
Mezcal Vago Elote is much less smoke forward, and much more perfumed. There’s some beautiful floral and woodsy flavors that mix heavily with citrus and green herbs. The overall profile is really complex, and is enjoyable to not only sip on it’s own, but strong enough to stand up to other flavors.
In Cocktails
In our Rising Sun testing cocktail, Mezcal Vago Elote is the star of the show. The citrus, honeyed notes, and smoke all come to the forefront balancing beautifully against the richness of the maraschino spice and brightness of the lime. The grapefruit gives a punchiness and the entire experience rounds out with touches of herbs. The balance is actually perhaps better than our run with Bozal Ensamble thanks to a reduced penchant for smoke, but both end up being very good.
Mezcal Vago Elote Overall
At almost $50 a bottle, once could argue that Mezcal Vago Elote is expensive. However, considering the smoothness, the complexity, and overall sippable nature of this agave based spirit, it’s right in line with some of our top priced tequilas – like Casamigos and Siete Leguas. Unlike the tequilas, there aren’t as many down range mezcal offerings that will make as balanced a cocktail. For that reason, we recommend Mezcal Vago Elote if you’re looking for a reasonably priced mezcal that offers great value and a genuine handcrafted personality.