The Comprehensive List of Mezcal Brands

TLDR

In this article, you will discover more about the most popular mezcal brands, from their agaves to their tasting notes and production locations. We also talk of the top brands such as Del Maguey, Ilegal, Montelobos, Mezcal Vago, Monte Alban and Bozal among others.

Introduction

Mezcal has a special place in the industry that can't be filled by any other spirit. Different agaves produce different types of mezcal, and that’s where the different mezcal brands come in. If you have a hard time choosing the best mezcals, you can consider the most popular brands below. 

The Best Mezcal Brands To Choose From

There are over 200 Mezcal brands that you can choose from. This makes it very difficult to settle on one, but we've made it easier by explain the best mezcal brands below.

Del Maguey Mezcal

Del Maguey has a range of wild-varietal and pricy single-village bottlings. Sipping this mezcal neat delivers the slightly salty yet fruity character of the mezcal.

Ilegal Mezcal

Ilegal Mezcal is among the mezcals that benefited from the national distribution in 2010 in the U.S. Every ilegal mezcal production process manifests commitment and quality, and they only use ripe espadin agave to produce the mezcal. The ilegal mezcal is easy to find and enjoyable, thanks to its well-balanced profile, fruity, earthy, and peppery hints.

Montelobos Mezcal

Montelobos Mezcal is another brand that delivers quality higher than its price point. The mezcal is of made100% organic espadin. Its fruity and floral aromas deliver more than any other mezcal with the same price range. It has a high-energy palate that complements the agave flavors making it the best option for any occasion. Seek out the Tobala expression if you want to splurge.

Mezcal Vago

Mezcal Vago has dialed-up booze that adds a lot of concentration and depth to the profile. It exhibits aromas and flavors spanning from scorched earth to bright tropical fruit and botanical flowers. The mezcal has creamy corn notes and a smoky finish that is evident in all its brands.

Monte Alban Mezcal Con Gusano

Monte Alban Mezcal Con Gusano is very unique among the other mezcal brands. It has a maguey worm that complements its unique taste. The mezcal expresses sweet and spicy aromas with fruity scents and mineral hints. The soft and tasty flavor and nutmeg finish are very persistent.

Mezcal Union

The name Mezcal Union suggests unity between the farmers and the producers in the production process. Mezcal Union expresses unique flavors of herbal, fruity, wood, earthy, and citrus connotations, and it has a balance between the agave flavors and the aromas.

Bozal Mezcal

Bozal Mezcal is a product of Mexican agaves growing in Oaxaca and Guerero. The mezcal is 100% artisanal with exotically intense flavors. The rich and earthy tones and savory smokiness manifest the traditional and handmade nature of Bozal Mezcal, and it is the best option for those looking for something classic and premium. 

Ojo De Tigre

The combination of agaves tobala and espadin gives the mezcal an incredible balance and smoothness without empowering any smokiness. The mezcal expresses up-front tastes of citrus and green apple. After that, the hints of caramel smoked cocoa, and cooked agave follow.

Cuishe Mezcal

Mezcal Cuishe is a product of agave Cuishe of Karwinskii species. The wild and unique smell and taste of Cuishe Mezcal make it something you might want to taste in Mexico. The intense citrous, strong minerality, spicy and fruity taste manifest the artisanal nature of the drink. 

Agua Mágica

This mezcal is a blend of agave Tobala and Espadin that give it desirable flavors. It expresses notes of violet petals and vibrant berries on the nose that give way to refreshing cucumber and green chile on its palate.

Amarás Mezcal 

Amaras Mezcal’s agave Cupreata takes about 13 years to mature in the mountain slopes of Guerrero. As a result, it has a garden pea aroma with a strong vegetal core seasoned with earth and smoke. The complexity and dazzling spice are evident on the palate, with floral sweetness in the finish.

Lejana Y Sola Mezcal

The mezcal blends Cuishe and Espadin agave to bring about tropical fruity notes. The fresh flower and briny jalapenos notes accompany the rich palate of the mezcal that delivers textural and spicy complexity with smoky notes.

Madre Mezcal

Madre Mezcal is also a blend of Cuishe and Espadin to develop tropical fruit and smoky bonfire doses. It has a 45% ABV that amplifies its flavors and aromas to deliver a balanced drinking experience.

El Silencio Mezcal

El Silencio Mezcal combines agave Espadin, Mexicano, and Tobasiche to develop its unique flavors, and the brand prepares every agave separately. However, Tobasiche and Mexicano undergo single distillation while Espadin undergoes double distillation. The final product expresses floral notes with a sprinkle of chipotle.

Other Mezcal Brands

If you're a fan of tequila, then you've definitely heard of the blue weber agve from which it's made. Mezcal, also known as mescal, is derived from different varieties of agave.

Beside the popular mezcals listed above, some of the mezcal brands created from the different agave varieties include:

• 400 Conejos Mezcal
• 42° Bacanora
• 4th Rabbit Agave Spirits
• 5 Sentidos
• Acre Mezcal
• Agave de Cortes
• Agave Macho Mezcal
• Agave Mixtape
• Agua del Sol
• Agua Santa Mezcal
• Aguafuerte Mezcal
• Aguamiel Bacanora
• Aguas Mansas Mezcal
• Alacrán Mezcal
• Alipus Mezcal
• Ánimas Mezcal
• Apaluz Mezcal
• Aprendiz Mezcal
• Atenco Mezcal
• Balam
• Balancan
• Banhez Mezcal
• Batuq Bacanora
• Benevá Mezcal
• Bonete Raicilla
• Borroso Mezcal
• Bosscal Mezcal
• Brusco Mezcal
• Bruxo Mezcal
• Buen Suceso Mezcal
• Buenbicho Mezcal
• Burrito Fiestero Mezcal
• Caballito Cerrero
• Carreño Mezcal
• Casa Volador Mezcal
• Casamigos Mezcal
• Casta Tribal Mezcal
• Cat Mezcal
• Cenizo Colonial Mezcal
• Chacolo
• Chamán Mezcal
• Chango Loco Mezcal
• Chawar Andean Agave
• Cielo Rojo Bacanora
• Cinco Elementos Mezcal (M5CE)
• CLAN55 Mezcal
• Clande Sotol
• Clase Azul
• Cómplice Mezcal
• Contraluz Mezcal
• Convite Mezcal
• Corte Vetusto Mezcal
• Cortesanto Mezcal
• Coyote Sotol
• Cráneo Mezcal
• Creyente Mezcal
• Cruz de Fuego Mezcal
• Cuentacuentos
• Cutwater Spirits
• Dangerous Don Cafe Mezcal
• De Ella Mezcal
• Delirio Mezcal
• Derrumbes Mezcal
• Desert Door Texas Sotol
• Diaz Brothers Agave
• Diestro y Siniestro Mezcal
• Divino Mezcal
• Dixeebe Mezcal
• Don Amado Mezcal
• Don Mateo de la Sierra
• Don Raymundo Duarte y Compania
• Doña Vega Mezcal
• Donaji Mezcal
• Dos Hombres Mezcal
• Dos Jaimes Mezcal
• El Buho Mezcal
• El Camino del Pensador Mezcal
• El Destilado
• El Jolgorio Mezcal
• El Mero Mero Mezcal
• El Pintor
• El Real De Alamos Bacanora
• El Recuerdo de Oaxaca Mezcal
• El Rey Zapoteco Mezcal
• El Sarao Oaxaca Mezcal
• El Tinieblo Mezcal
• El Yope Mezcal
• Elenita
• Enmascarado Mezcal
• Erstwhile Mezcal
• Espina Negra Mezcal
• Espíritu Lauro Mezcal
• Estancia Raicilla
• Eterna Libertad Mezcal
• Eterno Mezcal
• Fabriquero Sotol
• Farolito Mezcal
• Fidencio Mezcal
• Flor del Desierto Sotol
• GEM&BOLT Mezcal
• Gente de Mezcal
• Gracias a Dios Mezcal
• Grand Artisanal Jean-Marc Mezcal
• Grulani Mezcal
• Gul-Roo Mezcal
• Gusano Rojo Mezcal
• Gusto Histórico
• Hacienda de Bañuelos
• Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol
• IBA Mezcal
• Jaral de Berrio Mezcal
• Joyas Oaxaqueñas Mezcal
• Juerte Destilado de Pulque
• Kimo Sabe Mezcal
• Koch Mezcal
• La Herencia de Sánchez Mezcal
• La Higuera Sotol
• La Jicarita Mezcal
• La Luna Mezcal
• La Maliciosa Mezcal
• La Medida Mezcal
• La Niña del Mezcal
• La Reina Raicilla
• La Venenosa Raicilla
• Lagrimas de Dolores Mezcal
• Lalocura Mezcal
• Lamata
• Le Tribute Mezcal
• Legendario Domingo Mezcal
• Leyendas Mezcal
• Lobo de la Sierra Raicilla
• Lobos 1707
• Local Mezcal
• Lola Mezcal
• Los Amantes Mezcal
• Los Cuerudos Mezcal
• Los Danzantes Mezcal
• Los Javis Mezcal
• Los Nahuales Mezcal
• Los Vecinos del Campo Mezcal
• Lucy Pistolas Mezcal
• Luminar Mezcal
• Machetazo Mezcal
• Macurichos Mezcal
• Maguey Melate
• Mal Bien Mezcal
• Mala Idea Mezcal
• Marca Negra Mezcal
• Matra Mezcal
• Maximo Twenty-First Century Mezcal
• Mayalen Mezcal
• Mazot Bacanora
• Memorable Mezcal
• Mesh & Bone
• Mestiza Negra Mezcal
• Mestizo Mezcal
• Meteoro Mezcal
• Metiche Mezcal
• Mexicat
• Mezcal Gin MG
• Mezcalero Mezcal
• Mezcalosfera de Mezcaloteca
• Mezonte
• Miel de Tierra Mezcal
• Mil Caminos Mezcal
• Mina Real Mezcal
• Mitre Mezcal
• Monte Alban
• Morro Mezcal
• Mortal Mezcal
• Nacional Mezcal
• NETA
• Ninfa Raicilla
• Noble Coyote Mezcal
• Nosotros Mezcal
• Nucano Mezcal
• Nuestra Soledad Mezcal
• OAX Original
• Olla de Miel Mezcal
• Ono Sotol
• Origen Raiz del Espiritu Mezcal
• Oro de Coyame Sotol
• Pal'alma
• Palenqueros Mezcal
• Palomo Mezcal
• Papadiablo Mezcal
• Paquera Mezcal
• Pelotón de la Muerte
• Pescador de Sueños Mezcal
• Pierde Almas Mezcal
• Pistolero Mezcal
• Pizcadores
• Pluma Negra Mezcal
• Por Siempre Sotol
• Puntagave
• Quiereme Mucho Mezcal
• Quiquiriqui Mezcal
• Rancho de la Luna
• Rancho Tepúa
• Rayo Seco
• Rayu Mezcal
• Real Minero Mezcal
• Revel Spirits
• Rey Campero Mezcal
• Reyes y Cobardes Mezcal
• Rezpiral
• Riazuleño Mezcal
• Rio Revuelto Mezcal
• Riquezas de Oaxaca Mezcal
• Rosaluna Mezcal
• Sacacuento Mezcal
• Sacapalabras Mezcal
• Sacrificio Mezcal
• Sacro Imperio Mezcal
• Salvacion Mezcal
• San Bartolo Mezcal Artesanal
• San Cosme Mezcal
• Santa Pedrera Mezcal
• Santamaria Mezcal
• Santo Cuviso
• Santo de Piedra Mezcal
• Scorpion Mezcal
• Se Busca Mezcal
• Señor Sotol
• Señorío Mezcal
• Sentir Mezcal
• Siembra Metl Mezcal
• Siempre Oaxaca Mezcal
• Siete Misterios Mezcal
• Siglo Cero Pox
• Sin Gusano Project
• Sol de Oaxaca Mezcal
• Sombra Mezcal
• Sotoleros
• Sotomayor Sotol
• Sunora Bacanora
• Susto Mezcal
• Tehuana Mezcal
• The Lost Explorer Mezcal
• Tio Pesca Mezcal
• Tohue Tohue Mezcal
• Tosba Mezcal
• Total Wine Spirits Direct
• Tres Papalote Mezcal
• Vaca Loca Mezcal
• Vamonos Riendo Mezcal
• Ven A Mi Mezcal
• Veras Mezcal
• Verde Momento Mezcal
• Viejo Indecente Mezcal
• Wahaka Mezcal
• Wild Shot Mezcal
• Xiaman Mezcal
• Xicala Mezcal
• Xicaru Mezcal
• Yola Mezcal
• Yoowe Bacanora
• Yuu Baal Mezcal
• Zacbé Mezcal
• Zignum Mezcal
• Zopenco Mezcal
• Zunte Mezcal

Factors To Consider When Choosing Mezcal Brands

With that long list of mezcal brands in mind, you might be at a loss on how to land the best brand.

Below are some of the factors worth considering whenever you need to buy a new brand, especially if you are a beginner.

Style- Look at the species or type of agave used to make the mezcal. In most cases you will see the categories on the labels and therefore you will have an easy time choosing.

Proof- Mezcal proofs range from 38-55 according to the regulations. It is always advisable that the new drinkers go for not more than 45 proof because they are smoother. If you are a pro drinker then you can go for 48 or more.

How to plan on drinking it- Know the types of cocktails to take the mezcals with because of the differences in flavors. For the Mexican mezcals, you can either take them dry or with Mexican salads or appetizers.

Aging- The aging of a mezcal defines its flavor. Unaged mezcals are very clear while the aged ones have tints of brown or tan. The impact of aging on the flavor of the mezcals is robbing the vegetal and savory complexities of the mezcal. Therefore, it is up to you to choose which one to go for.

The fact that mezcal incorporates different varieties of agaves from different regions across Mexico makes it very special. Its notes, flavors, aromas, and finishes are evidence of the traditional and artisanal crafting production method.

Alternatives to Mezcal

As the popular Mexican saying goes, "For all things bad, mezcal, for all things good, mezcal."

For most drinkers, it starts and ends at mezcal. That, however, does not mean that there are no other Mexican goodies you can try.

You can also consider trying pulque, sotol, bacanora, raicilla, and tequila among others.

Just like mezcal, most of these alcoholic beverages can be taken neat or in cocktails. You can click here for recipes of the most popular tequila cocktails and mezcal cocktails.