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 Scorpion Silver, Scorpion Reposado, Scorpion Anejo One Star, Scorpion Anejo Three Star, Tehuana Silver, Tehuana Anejo, Don Juan Escobar Resposado, Mistico Silver).

Appearance: Color of Hoppes gun oil, molten glass in the bottle – It is a beautiful thing. On swirling, it leaves a very light coating on the glass which belies its viscosity sitting in the glass again it reminds me more of a very light oil than a alcohol which is a testament to its quality. Quite a striking contrast to most clear spirits such as vodka.

First Impression: Smoke is tempered by wood notes, although a deep inhalation yields a terpene type smell – smoky, phenolic, some savory and lime.

Taste: Smoky, phenolic, seaweed. Single malt scotch afficicanados would love this stuff. Very earthy and salty- woody notes at first, then intense mineral salts at the end. Reminds me kind of like a strong Islay whiskey. A great mezcal- one that you will either love or hate- there is no middle ground on this one.

Drinks: Despite our best efforts I found only one mezcal cocktail (in Gary and Mardee Regans New Classic Cocktails) I think however that there are some definite possibilities for this Mezcal but it will be a challenge to work with.It is not only strong and intense but thicker than most spirits. It will require some very nontraditional thinking to come up with something. In the meantime drink it straight! ( written in 2006) UPDATE : Mezcal has had a huge surge in popularity since we first wrote this, and numerous cocktails have been created as a result. Many can be found online if you google around. Also we have a lot of our own ( and some of the first) mezcal recipes under our recipes section

Cigars: Big oily ones, use it to cut the nicotine.

Bottle: Simple square shaped clear glass bottle with ridged paramecium like lines all over the surface. Label and bottle give it a somewhat antique or low tech feel to it, but shows the mezcal in it to good effect.

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

Final Thoughts: More subtle and complex than the Joven – a challenge to drink. This one will put hair on your chest. A downside is it is not as striking in the flavors more subtle yes, but does not have the full on smokiness (which depending on your taste is a plus or minus).

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.