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Mezcal Illegal Joven
About Mezcal Illegal Joven
Mezcal Ilegal Joven is produced by Ilegal Mezcal – a Oaxaca, Mexico based brand. It first began in 2004 as a smuggling operation that brought bottles of mezcal from Mexico to a bar in Guatemala. In 2006, it converted to a legal business, and currently partners with 4th generation mezcaleros in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca.
Their mezcals are made with the Espadín variety of agave, which is hand harvested and then roasted for 5-7 days using Encino Oak from certified sustainable wood farmers. It is then cut, and crushed with a traditional tahona, before being fermented with natural airborne yeast for 7-10 days. It is distilled first with its fibers, and then a second time with just the liquid, each time in copper stills.
Bottle Specs
❖ ABV: 40%
❖ Distillery: Palenque Mal de Amor
❖ Aging: none
❖ Price Point: low price
My Tasting notes
I took a whiff of this mezcal, and the aroma was simple and mild, with a touch of that classic smokiness. Overall, there was not too much heat on the nose.
My first sip had quite a bit of heat, and once it went down, I felt the lingering warmth immediately in my chest. As I continued, I found the flavor to be overall pretty neutral and clean. There was some smokiness to the taste, but not much else going on in the flavor notes.
Cocktail
SNAKE EYES
❖ 1.5oz mezcal
❖ 2oz coconut water
❖1/4oz lime juice
❖1/2oz sugar cane syrup
❖5ml banana liqueur
garnish: salt rim
- Rim a chilled Old-Fashioned glass with salt, using lime juice to help the salt stick.
- Add the ingredients to a shaker with ice, and shake until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into your salt-rimmed glass with ice.
Inside of a cocktail, this mezcal was clean and smooth. After a few sips, some mild smoky notes began to come out, which paired nicely with the sweetness of the coconut water. Although it lacked complexity, it was enjoyable against mixers.
Bottom Line
RATING: 3/5
Overall, I found Mezcal Ilegal Joven to be enjoyable, but not as complex as I had hoped for, even for the low price point. In the end, it was just a bit boring.
As far as affordable mixing spirits go, this one is decently smooth and without any harshness. If you’re looking for something that blends in well in cocktails and has a mild flavor, this mezcal might be right up your alley. However, if you are looking for something to sip on, or something that adds more character to a drink, you will probably want to look elsewhere.
As always, drink responsibly.
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