Rey Campero Jabalí Mezcal

Mezcal comes from Mexico, where the agave is roasted in underground pits before it is crushed, fermented and distilled. That roasting is why so many mezcals carry smoke, and why the raw material still shows through in the glass. Jabalí is one of the trickier agaves to work with, and Rey Campero bottles this one additive free.

Fresh sugarcane leads, green and sweet rather than sugary, with tropical fruit sitting just behind it. Citrus keeps the whole thing bright. Underneath there are herbs and a light pepper that shows up late and lingers a little.

At 80 proof (40% ABV) this drinks easily on its own, sipped slowly at room temperature the way mezcal is usually taken. It also holds up in a simple highball with soda and a squeeze of lime. The 750 mL bottle is an everyday one, not something to save for a special evening.