Monthly Archives: January 2026

Mezcal / Tequila Night: Beyond the Shot Glass

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Sometimes it is good to shake things up! Whilst the vast majority of our explorations are focused on whiskies – particularly single malts – it’s clear there has been a shift in the spirits world towards an interest in tequila and mezcal.

Tequila and mezcal are often misunderstood — reduced to salt, lime, smoke, or bravado — in reality, they are expressive terroir-driven spirits. Made from agave that can take seven to twenty-five years to mature, these spirits reflect place, climate, soil, and choice.

For seasoned spirits lovers, tequila and mezcal reward slow attention: the difference between roasted and steamed agave, the subtle or stronger influence of oak, the role of fermentation, and the quiet power of alcohol strength.

Our tasting explored a curated range of modern icons and traditional benchmarks — from softly smoky, approachable mezcals to single-estate tequilas that showcase agave in its purest form. Whether you’re here to dissect terroir or simply to understand why one sip tastes wildly different from the next, this is an invitation to slow down, explore thoughtfully, and taste with curiosity.

Part 1: Intro to TEQUILA

Part 2: Tour of MEZCAL

Part 3: Tapatío TEQUILA Duo

Nice to contrast and compare the light “resting” in oak with an extra-aged expression.

What separates good agave spirits from great ones is choice. The choice of agave, how it’s cooked, and whether it’s rested or aged, all leave their mark in the glass. A 38% traditional reposado can feel just as expressive as a 45% mezcal, depending on balance and structure.

For the experienced taster, these bottles reveal layers: mineral notes shaped by soil, smoke that whispers, not roars, oak that supports rather than dominates. With such an experience, there is no doubt that tequila and mezcal are not party tricks, but spirits meant to be savored.

The best way to approach them is without expectation. Try them neat. Add a few drops of water. Revisit them over time. Let your palate adjust, and your preferences evolve. Because once you start tasting agave spirits with attention, there’s no going back to the shot glass — only forward, one considered sip at a time.

PS. For convenience, we did indeed try our wee 10ml tasting pours in shot glasses

PPS. Most bottles in this tasting range from about £35 to £95 in the UK, with aged expressions and craft mezcals tending toward the higher end.

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Tequila Part 3: Tapatío Reposado and Extra Añejo

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Full disclosure – I’m not a traditional tequila fan. I’m more apt to have whiskies finished in tequila barrels rather than tequila itself! Or perhaps in a tasty paloma cocktail. However, there is no mistaking the incredible rise in interest in craft tequila – hence my excitement for our evening focused on small sips of a remarkable range of spirits!

After exploring an Introduction to Tequila with a trio from Milagro, Ocho, and Casamigos, and then a tour of Mezcal with a quintet from Ojo de Dios, Casamigos, The Lost Explorer, and two expressions from Ilegal, we closed our evening with a duo from Tapatío – the one tequila brand on my spirits radar thanks to their Tapatío Extra Añejo expression!

Tapatío is produced at La Alteña Distillery in the highlands of Jalisco. Still family-owned and overseen by master distiller Carlos Camarena, La Alteña is known for its commitment to old-world methods: slow-cooked agave in stone ovens, extraction using a traditional tahona, open fermentation, and distillation in small copper pot stills.

There are no shortcuts —no industrial efficiencies, no flavor manipulation—just mature Blue Weber agave speaking unadorned or transformed with oak and time.

Welcome to the final part of a fascinating evening with:

So… what did we think?

Tapatío Reposado Tequila 38%

Tapatío Reposado represents a more traditional, old-school tequila style. Lower in alcohol but rich in character, it emphasizes cooked agave and restrained oak.

  • Nose: A lovely, inviting aroma of fruits, toasted oak, and sweet caramel
  • Palate: Green capsium, earthy agave
  • Finish: Dry, fresh, and medium length
  • Tasting Tip: A favorite among tequila purists — sip neat at room temperature

It was described as incredibly approachable – almost “airy”. A lovely example of what just a bit of time “resting” in oak can do.

Tapatio Excelencia Gran Reserva Extra Añejo Tequila 40%

The Tapatio Excelencia Gran Reserva Extra Añejo is matured for around four years. A combination of casks is used, including French oak and American oak, resulting in a remarkable experience.

  • Nose: Cedar, lightly herbal, some tumeric, vanilla, nuanced
  • Palate: Stevia sweetener, dark chocolate, malty, rolls around the tongue with loads of balance and complexity
  • Finish: Light pepper, wood influence lingers

I began our evening sipping this expression in a Glencairn glass – just to check it was still worthy after being open for several years. Thankfully, it not only stood the test of time, it also closed our evening with something mature, complex, and enjoyable – particularly with a cigar!

Just like when I first sampled this tequila, there was no question that it gained tremendously from the years resting in oak. Whilst still clearly having agave as its origins, it morphed into a whisky-adjacent spirit in a rather wonderful way.

Tasting the Tapatío Reposado alongside the Extra Añejo was a great opportunity to experience how time in barrel transforms the same spirit: from agave-forward structure to layered richness and depth. Truly a treat!

Curious about what else we explored? Check out:

Part 1: Intro to TEQUILA

Part 2: Tour of MEZCAL

Interested in catching more? Why not follow Whisky Lady on:

Mezcal Part 2: Ojo de Dios, Casamingos, Ilegal, The Lost Explorer

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After a crash course in tequila, we moved on to the second part: a tour of mezcal.

Mezcal is a traditional Mexican spirit distilled from roasted agave. Unlike tequila, which is made exclusively from Blue Weber agave and primarily in Jalisco, mezcal can be produced from dozens of agave varieties—most commonly Espadín—across several Mexican states, with Oaxaca at its heart.

What defines mezcal is its method. Agave hearts (piñas) are typically roasted in underground earthen pits, crushed, naturally fermented, and distilled in small batches. This process creates mezcal’s signature smoky, earthy character—though the level of smoke can range from subtle to intense depending on technique and producer.

Mezcal is broadly categorized by aging:

  • Joven (or Blanco): Unaged, showcasing pure agave and smoke
  • Reposado: Rested in oak, adding softness and spice
  • Añejo: Aged longer, offering richness and depth

Mezcal is best understood not as a single style, but as a category defined by region, technique, and tradition.

To help understand the different styles, we explored a Mezcal quintet of:

  • Ojo de Dios Joven Mezcal 45% £38
  • Casamigos Mezcal 40% ~£70
  • Ilegal Mezcal Reposado 40% ~£60
  • The Lost Explorer Mezcal (Espadín) 40% ~£60
  • Ilegal Mezcal Añejo (Special Edition) 40% ~£95

So what did we think?

Ojo de Dios Joven Mezcal 45%

Ojo de Dios Joven Mezcal offers a bolder, higher-proof expression from Espadín agave in Oaxaca. Despite its strength, it is quite balanced, combining earthy smoke with spice and cheese.

  • Nose: It greeted us with Pillsbury dough, then roasted pineapple, sweet grass smoke, and dried spice
  • Palate: Wow! So unique! It started as smoked ham, then settled on smoked cheese, joined by mocha and cinnamon, almost resinous
  • Finish: Dry

We set this one aside and came back to it repeatedly. There was something distinctly compelling about this mezcal. And though it became more and more ashy the more time it spent in the glass, the smoked cheese remained consistent!

Casamigos Mezcal (Joven) 40%

Casamigos Joven Mezcal is crafted from 100% Espadín agave grown in Oaxaca, Mexico, using traditional earthen pit roasting that lends gentle smokiness without overpowering the agave. Designed to be approachable yet authentic, it’s widely regarded as an excellent “gateway” mezcal for both curious newcomers and seasoned drinkers seeking balance over intensity.

  • Nose: Initially a bit herbal, then revealed lots of coffee, chocolate, dried fruit, even watermelon and apple, rather than citrus
  • Palate: Soft smoke, black pepper, roasted agave
  • Finish: Clean, light, and quite “green”, with a slight hint of smoke initially, yet by the 2nd sip closed on an ashy note

Sip neat first, give it time to open and reveal its ashy dry sweetness.

Ilegal Mezcal Reposado 40%

Ilegal Reposado Mezcal is made from 100% Espadín agave in Oaxaca and rested for approximately six months in oak barrels, softening the mezcal’s natural smokiness while introducing subtle sweetness and spice. This expression bridges traditional mezcal and aged spirits, appealing particularly to whisky and rum drinkers.

  • Nose: For us, despite the colour, we thought first of moonshine! Then grapes, followed by a bit of burnt caramel
  • Palate: A bit rough, bitter clove, a touch of wood, ash, orange peel
  • Finish: Limited and ashy

I gotta be honest, this didn’t work for us. I even scribbled in my notes that it was more of an “angry cask” than a gentle resting in oak.

The Lost Explorer Mezcal (Espadín) 8 Year 42%

The Lost Explorer Espadín Mezcal aims to highlight the natural sweetness of agave with restrained smoke. Produced in Oaxaca with sustainability at its core, it purports to offer a refined, elegant interpretation of mezcal. What we found was anything but this!

  • Nose: It began with a promising orchard fruit aroma with green apples, fresh herbs, and light smoke, then quickly shifted into wet coconut coir, vegetable compost – a polite way of saying rotting fruits and vegetables
  • Palate: Earthy, green zucchini
  • Finish: Thankfully limited

There was quite a strong negative reaction to this one. Once zucchini was mentioned, we just couldn’t shake it as the prominent flavour!

Our host openly admitted being lured by the age and curiosity. However, discovering a dud is just part of the spirits tasting journey.

Ilegal Mezcal Añejo (Special Edition) 40% 025/900, Lot 189

Aged for approximately one year in oak, Ilegal Añejo showcases a richer, more contemplative side of mezcal.

  • Nose: Very ripe red apples, maple syrup, dried fruits
  • Palate: Dark chocolate, roasted agave, toasted oak
  • Finish: Smoky-sweet closing on cinnamon spice

What a contrast from the Reposado! This was definitely a mezcal for the whisky fans – one person even compared it to sipping Jameson! We thought it could be nice to sip with just one ice cube. A treat to try!

It was a terrific range, with a range of reactions. Overall, The Lost Explorer had the most detractors, whisky lovers tended to favour the Ilegal Añejo, and the Ojo de Dios was clearly distinctive with its smoked cheese aroma and flavour!

Next up? Our 3rd and final part features a duo from Tapatío:

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Tequila Part 1: Milagro, Ocho, Casamigos

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Our new year began with a departure from our usual whiskies to delve into an entirely different spirit – and exploration of tequila and mezcal!

We began our evening with a trio of Tequilas:

  • Leyenda del Milagro Silver Tequila 40% ~£22
  • Ocho Single Estate (2014) Tequila 40% ~£55
  • Casamigos Reposado Tequila 40% ~£57

For those not familiar, tequila is a protected Mexican spirit made exclusively from Blue Weber agave, distilled primarily in Jalisco and surrounding regions. While often associated with cocktails and shots, high-quality tequila is a nuanced sipping spirit, shaped by agave maturity, regional terroir, and production choices.

Unlike mezcal, tequila agave is typically steamed in brick ovens or autoclaves, rather than roasted, resulting in a cleaner, sweeter agave profile with less smoke. From unaged Blanco expressions that showcase pure agave character, to Reposado and Añejo styles gently influenced by oak, tequila offers a spectrum of flavor driven by balance rather than intensity.

At its best, tequila reflects patience, precision, and respect for raw material — a spirit best appreciated slowly, with attention to structure, texture, and finish.

So what did we think?

Leyenda del Milagro Silver Tequila 40%

Leyenda del Milagro Silver is an unaged Blanco tequila that highlights the pure character of Blue Weber agave. Crisp, vibrant, and expressive, it serves as an excellent reference point for understanding agave-driven flavor without oak influence.

  • Nose: Fresh floral aromas greeted us, agave, grapefruit, and herbal notes
  • Palate: Lime, white pepper, clean agave, minerals too
  • Finish: Crisp, dry, refreshing

It was a terrific starting point and Ideal as a baseline tequila in our tasting flight. I could see why they suggest it makes a great Margherita, with its fresh, fun, floral, and flavourful character!

Tequila Ocho Single Estate 2014 40%

Tequila Ocho’s single-estate, vintage approach treats tequila much like fine wine, emphasizing terroir and harvest variation. The 2014 release reflects its specific estate through expressive agave, minerality, and balance.

  • Nose: Cooked agave, citrus oil, pomelo, fresh cut grass, mineral notes
  • Palate: Like sipping a fruit salad – including tinned pineapples! It had an earthy agave, subtle spice of cloves, even a bit woody
  • Finish: Long, dry, mineral-driven, perhaps a puff of wood smoke?

If the Milagro Silver was floral, the Ocho was fruity on the nose! For a few folks, this was a clear winner. For others, the contrast between the delightful fruity fresh aromas vs the fruit joined by metallic and mineral elements on the palate was a bit too contradictory. For me, this is one to sip slowly and revisit — giving the tequila time to evolve in the glass.

Casamigos Reposado Tequila 40%

Casamigos Reposado Tequila is made from 100% Blue Weber agave and aged for approximately seven months in oak, resulting in a smooth, approachable profile that emphasizes sweetness and balance over intensity.

  • Nose: Caramel, pistachio paste, chocolate-covered rummy raisins, baked agave, ripe dates
  • Palate: Like chocolate mocha liqueur! Lots of vanilla extract, dried fruit, mild oak spice
  • Finish: Soft, mellow, gently sweet

With a light golden colour, it was clear we had progressed to a different style of Tequila with the Reposado. I could imagine just sipping this neat – like dessert in a glass!

Not being familiar with tequila, I found the reaction to Casamingo interesting as it was considered a bit “down market”, yet I thought it more than held its own!

Ready for our next part? Tune in soon for our focus on Mezcal with:

  • Ojo de Dios Joven Mezcal 45%
  • Casamigos Mezcal 40%
  • Ilegal Mezcal Reposado 40%
  • The Lost Explorer Mezcal (Espadín) 40%
  • Ilegal Mezcal Añejo (Special Edition) 40%

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2025 Whisky Show – Tamdhu Flight

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Tamdhu is one of those distilleries I simply assumed would have a chance to explore, but somehow never managed. Day 2 of our 2025 London Whisky Show was finally my chance to have a proper introduction! My tasting companion insisted we make the stop – sharing how he’s become a real fan, and it was high time I gave this Speyside distillery some attention.

We focused on the core range, doing a vertical flight by age!

  • Tamdhu 12 year (~2025) 43% – 2025 Whisky Show £50
  • Tamdhu 15 year (~2025) 46% – 2025 Whisky Show £100
  • Tamdhu 18 year (~2025) 46.8% – 2025 Whisky Show £120
  • Tamdhu 21 year (2025) 47.5% – 2025 Whisky Show £295

Our approach was a simple sniff, swish, and spit with just a light mini-pour – enough to get an impression, not enough to have any major consequences!

Tamdhu 12 year (~2025) 43%

  • Nose – Loads of sherry! Cinnamon, raisins, vanilla
  • Palate – Nice, easy-going, spice, malty with oak too
  • Finish – Sweet with a spice kick

It was a great start to our Tamdhu flight.

Tamdhu 15 year (~2025) 46%

  • Nose – Rich yet rounded, ripe red fruits, berries, a hint of chocolate, raisins, dried fruits too
  • Palate – Nice mouthfeel, oily, juicy, fruity, silky…. in short, it was delicious!
  • Finish – Dry

With American Oak & European Oak ex-Sherry casks, this was a solid sherry expression.

Tamdhu 18 year (~2025) 46.8%

  • Nose – Intense, dark, dried fruits – plums, dates, cherries
  • Palate – Juicy fruits, dark chocolate – think black forest cake!
  • Finish – A bit dry

Like the 15 year, this Tamdhu 18 year old was matured in both American and European oak, just with a higher ratio of European oak. Clear sherry stamp – dense, complex and full-flavoured.

Tamdhu 21 year (2025) 47.5%

  • Nose – Bright Seville marmalade, kumquat, jammy
  • Palate – A hint of spice and sweet. It reminded me of warm oats with stewed apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar
  • Finish – Lots of tannins, woody, and slightly bitter

This was clearly the most mature of the expressions and well worth trying if you have an opportunity!

Prior to this flight, my only experience was the Tamdhu 11 year. This flight reinforced the impression of a solid sherry style – well done! I could see why my tasting companion is such a Tamdhu fan.

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