Alvaro Hernandez, Armando Hernandez, Eric Hernandez
Bottler
Ilegal
ABV
40%
Age
NA
Price
$30 to $59.99
Ilegal Mezcal Joven is an unaged mezcal made from 100% espadín agave, produced in Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca, Mexico, by fourth-generation mezcaleros Alvaro and Armando Hernandez. The agave is roasted with mesquite and eucalyptus, fermented in oak vats and double distilled in copper pot stills. The brand was established in 2006 in Antigua, Guatemala.
One of the more overtly smoky mezcals I’ve experienced in recent memory. There’s still some fresh fruit (heavy on the citrus) here, but the smoke washes most of it out, along with a somewhat peppery, antiseptic character. If you’re a smoke fanatic, you’ll love it. More casual drinkers may find it a bit overwhelming.
This mezcal truly tastes of the earth and sun, with strong vegetal notes of green bell pepper, chili pepper, sweet pepper flavors set against sunnier tropical fruits like pineapple, grapefruit and blood orange. The smoke is deep and almost peaty tasting, like a cigar.
Medium mouth feel. Fruity and agave forward. No heat. Sweet cream, honey, pepper and light ash. Minerality is medium to low, funk is fairly low also. Fruity notes like peach, pear and tomato are evident. Lots going on. I really enjoy this bottle for what it is. Its not the most complex or the most amazing, but its wildly versatile.
There’s some good cinnamon and nutmeg that comes through up front, followed by some black pepper spice that adds a bit of a kick which continues well into the aftertaste. There’s no bitterness or bite here, it’s just a damn good spicy sipping spirit.
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House Review
Nose:
Sweet confectioners sugar, light beets and vinegar. Classic agave notes. Peach ring, minerality and soil, faint acidity.
Taste:
Medium mouth feel. Fruity and agave forward. No heat. Sweet cream, honey, pepper and light ash. Minerality is medium to low, funk is fairly low also. Fruity notes like peach, pear and tomato are evident. Lots going on.
Finish:
Long rich and sweet. Faintly smoky, some ash and minerality. Lightly briny before a sweet kick of vanilla and fruits rejoin.
Overall:
I really enjoy this bottle for what it is. Its not the most complex or the most amazing, but its wildly versatile. Neat, cocktails, rocks - you name it. Pair that with affordability and its a solid cabinet dweller.
Score:
80
By t8ke
Our in house critic rates spirits on a scale of 0-10 (10 best) and is aggregated the same as external sources
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