Del Maguey Crema de Mezcal review
New to mezcal? This slightly sweeter offering from Del Maguey is a good introduction to the Mexican drink. See how it fared in our taste test.
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Del Maguey Crema de Mezcal – 40% ABV
Overall rating: 4.5/5
In a nutshell: A great introductory mezcal. The addition of sweet agave syrup neutralises some of the intense smokiness, although expect a saccharine drink. With a just squeeze of lime, it makes an excellent mock margarita.
Buy from Master of Malt (£45.34)
Full review of Del Maguey Crema de Mezcal
Most Del Maguey mezcals are single-village mezcals, the mezcals being named for the village they come from. Crema de Mezcal is a slight exception, although it is 90% mezcal from the Oaxacan village of San Luis Del Rio, combined with 10% Miel de Maguey, a honey-like agave syrup made from the roasted agaves which produce the mezcal.
The Crema de Mezcal uses 100% espadin agave, which have been matured from six-eight years. These are then cooked for anything from three-eight days, depending on the batch.
Mezcal is not about absolute 100% consistency, which is part of its appeal. The traditional earth pit is used to roast the agave, using no fewer than eight different types of wood to achieve the desired result.
The result is intriguing. There is an immediate sugary-vanilla creaminess to it, a pleasant amount of smokiness, and a hint of lime. There’s also a touch of earthy agave about it. It’s all very gentle and subtle, though, and the aromas have to be teased out.
On the palate it’s equally subtle and pleasant. It does have a creaminess, creating a very good and rounded mouthfeel. There is a bit of fire about it too, of both the smoky and the alcoholic kind, and a hint of mint. It has a lovely smooth, warm, sweet and slightly fruity finish to it.
If you have a sweet tooth you’ll find this a very enjoyable sipping mezcal, and if you’ve never tried mezcal before this would be the perfect introduction. It displays all of mezcal’s classy qualities without any one thing being overbearing.
The perfect pour
Because the mezcal already has some agave syrup added to it, it makes for an instant variation on the margarita, just by adding some lime juice.
Buy from Master of Malt (£45.34)
Read our full review of mezcals
This review was last updated in June 2019. If you have any questions or suggestions for future reviews, or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk. For information on alcohol guidelines, read our guide to drinking responsibly.
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