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

• Leyenda del Milagro Silver Tequila 40% – This unaged blanco provided a lovely, fresh, floral introduction to our evening
• Ocho Single Estate (2014) Tequila 40% – From floral to fruity, a hint of metal and subtle oak – like a tropical fruit salad with a twist!
• Casamigos Reposado Tequila 40% – With a short rest in oak, we shifted into a heady dessert-like mocha liqueur with pistachio!

Part 2: Tour of MEZCAL

• Ojo de Dios Joven Mezcal 45% – From sweet grass to smoked cheese, a  distinctive expression
• Casamigos Mezcal 40% – Considered a “gateway” mezcal, it combined coffee, fruit, soft smoke, and herbs
• Ilegal Mezcal Reposado 40% – Six months resting in oak barrels, our experience was middling
• The Lost Explorer Mezcal (Espadín) 8 years 40% – The dud of the quintet, yet good to highlight just how interesting the others were!
• Ilegal Mezcal Añejo (Special Edition) 40% – Smoky-sweet with the extra time in oak, making it quite appealing to the whisky fans!

Part 3: Tapatío TEQUILA Duo

• Tapatío Reposado Tequila 38% – Toast, earthy agave and dry, with just a touch of time in oak, it foreshadowed what might come with more time… 
• Tapatio Excelencia Gran Reserva Extra Añejo Tequila 40% – A clear show-stopper for those curious to explore a whisky-adjacent complex sipping spirit

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.

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

• WordPress https://whiskylady.co/
• FaceBook Whisky Lady in India – https://www.facebook.com/WhiskyLadyIN