Notes: This mezcal is produced in Oaxaca, the traditional area in Mexico for mezcal. This is the youngest expression of this particular mezcal line – all of which are single barrel bottlings of 100% agave. They also import numerous other mezcals that we will be reviewing (see our reviews of the Embajdor Silver, Scorpion Silver, Scorpion Reposado, Scorpion Anejo One Star, Scorpion Anejo Three Star).

Appearance: Dark brown/red color in the bottle. Love at first sight. You could easily mistake this for an expensive rum or whisky, given the color. Five years of aging in Mexico is probably the equivalent of 10 in Kentucky, or 15 or 20 in Scotland – it is a beautiful thing. On swirling it leaves a light coating on the glass, with some good legs but they disappear rather quickly.

First Impression: Discreet understated smoke, sweet, caramel/apple notes some savory, lime, dry, corn sweetness to it. The mezcal has almost a smoked bourbon nose, with pleasant woody notes playing with the other scents.The alcohol scent is quite subdued even for a Anejo.

Taste: Smoke, savory herbs, lime and salty with a mild sechuan pepper notes on the finish. A nice alcohol taste, with slow burn and warmth lets you know you are drinking but doesn’t abuse you. It’s quite smooth, delicate, and easy-to-drink. It is quite reminiscent of a Speyside (think Macallan) single malt scotch version of mezcal (or possibly Glenrothes).

Drinks: Snifter only please. Too delicate and too good to mix. Enjoy on its own!

Cigars: A light-bodied cigar would be a good compliment.

Bottle: Simple handbell shaped clear glass bottle (similar to a cognac bottle such as Courvosier) or some types of brandy bottle. Understated label and bottle but shows the mezcal in it to good effect. It has one of those South-American-type pourers in the neck which you usually don’t see up north. A little hard to use for first timers, but keeps you from easily overpouring and allows you a minimum of spillage if you are having that kind of evening and the reflexes aren’t as fast as they were a few hours ago. Same applies to the bottle – when you get past the half way point and you knock it over you won’t lose nearly as much as you can with a skinny cylinderical bottle.

No larvae or arachnids in it either unlike most others. Just good Mezcal!

Final Thoughts: Damn fine stuff! Forget the tequila, drink this instead! A wonderful expression of a Anejo Mezcal (there are, sadly, few of them out there to explore). It has a delicacy few spirits (especially other mezcals and its mass produced cousin tequila) can match for the money.

Website: http://www.scorpionmezcal.com/

Fast loading with a display of all the Mezcals they import (more than twelve!).
Basic information and pictures of each one, with reviews and ratings by different people and organizations. Rather basic, but functional. They spent the money on what is inside the bottle, and not slick web page programming. However, it could use some recipe ideas, food pairings, etc.