Aug 14, 2026 | Read Online​

MEZCAL TRAVEL NOTES

We turned left onto a dirt road about ninety minutes outside of Oaxaca City, still grinning ear-to-ear from our first visit to a real palenque.

As we barreled down unpaved roads lined with fields of agave, we passed around a giant jícara of private-stock mezcal that magically appeared from our guide’s trunk. It was an unexpected treat. One of many that we would have throughout the day.

Our guide roughly explained that we would be visiting a variety of palenques. Our next stop; however, would be someone’s house.

Maybe they were home, maybe they weren’t. In Mexico, timelines are fluid and appointments are rare. What happened next...
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TASTING NOTES

I love a good Mexicano. But they're not all good. This one is produced by the famous In Situ brand from Oaxaca. I’ve been to their mezcaleria…if you ever get the chance...please go. It's impressive. Below are my notes from a recent tasting:

Brand: Mezcasiarca​
Category: Destilado de Agave (Artisanal)​
Agave: Mexicano (A. rhodacantha)​
Distillation: Copper pot​
ABV: 51%​
Region: Yeguesia​
Lot/Year: 2022​
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SNIFF:
​ - Floral, ripe pineapple, damp wood.
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KISS:
- Sweet. Notes of chocolate and tropical fruit.
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COAT:
- More chocolate, fruit, and roasted poblano peppers. This mezcal coats your tongue nicely while subtle hints of cinnamon and wood emerge.
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SWALLOW:
- Intensity: Smooth but Hot
- Complexity: Complex
- Mouth Feel: Viscous and Creamy
- Length: Long
- Smoke: Light
- Did I Like It? YES!

OVERALL REVIEW: This is a very good expression of Mexicano. It has a pleasant nose featuring a delicate blend of flowers and fruit. It’s what I would call a smooth and wet mezcal – opposed to rough and dry. This makes it easy to drink. What I also like is the complexity. It transforms quite a bit from the kiss to the finish ending with a spicy heat. It stays on your tongue for awhile and continues to mature in your mouth adopting a little bit of a woody tone. Overall, I like it and I don’t always say that about every Mexicano I drink. I’ll pour this again in a heartbeat.

BARTENDER'S NOTE: The name "Mezcasiarca" refers to the individuals (traditionally women) who serve mezcal at important Oaxacan community gatherings. Interestingly, Maestro Mezcalero Israel Perez Santiago crafted this specific batch as a liquid tribute to his late mother, blending delicate floral notes to evoke the white flowers and candles of her altar.

DOWNLOAD THE TASTING GUIDE:

To simplify my own tasting process (and teach others), I developed a "tasting guide". ​You can download it here: Mezcal Tasting Guide | MezcalCulture.Com - 2026.pdf​​​

The tasting guide follows both the process of how to taste mezcal AND some simple ways to identify what you're tasting.

TASTING OPPORTUNITIES

🔎 Find 100+ agave-themed dinners, tastings, happy hours, festivals, bar crawls, and other exciting events @ mezcalculture​
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FRIDAY - AUG 14

CA: Walnut Creek
​Planet Mezcal Tasting & Dinner Series: Firme Mezcal​
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IN: Lafayette
​Mezcalovers Fest Indiana 2026​
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TX: Porter
​Jose León Tequila Tasting & Complimentary Social​
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​SATURDAY - AUG 15

CA: Berkeley
​Multicultural Institute's Tequila Tasting 2026​
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CA: Long Beach
​LA Tequila Club: Agave Bottle Share & Trade​
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FL: Fort Lauderdale
​Don Julio Luxury Tequila Free Tasting at Primo Liquors​
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​SUNDAY - AUG 16

CT: Bridgeport
​Tequila Parking Lot Day Party​
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​TUESDAY - AUG 18

FL: Tampa
​Quiote Tequilaría and Derrumbes Mezcal Present ...Siete Cuidades​
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NH: Manchester
​G4 Tequila Pairing Dinner​
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NY: Orchard Park
​Tasting Class: Fresh Summer Cocktails with Astral Tequila​
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​WEDNESDAY - AUG 19

CA: San Diego
​Prohibition Cocktail Class w/ Lalo Tequila​
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CT: West Hartford
​Tequila Tasting Featuring Lalo Tequila​
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NC: Charlotte
​Smoke and Spirits Tequila Dinner - Dos Caminos Charlotte​
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NV: Las Vegas
​Wineaux Summer Series: Meet Mezcal​
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PA: Exton
​Tacos, Tequila, and Tie Dye​
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​THURSDAY - AUG 20

CA: San Francisco
​Taste Series - Dulce Vida Organic Tequila at Rock's Den​
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CO: Denver
​Oyster Bae x Casa Noble Tequila Pairing at Welton Room​
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GA: Athens
​Tequila Education Night with Casey Teague of Liquid Culture​
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FL: Deerfield Beach
​Tequila and Testosterone​
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NJ: Lambertville
​Mijenta Tequila Pairing on the River​
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TX: El Paso
​Agave Terroir Tasting​
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VA: Vienna
​Tequila Sunrise Event​
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WHAT'S SHAKIN'?

:: 1800 RELEASES LUXURY COLECCIÓN TEQUILA​
1800 Tequila has unveiled Mono Laberinto Doble, a new limited-edition Extra Añejo in its Colección series housed in a bespoke decanter by late Mexican surrealist Pedro Friedeberg. Priced at $11,000, the release merges ultra-premium agave aging with high-end contemporary art to attract luxury collectors.
​Read More...​
​Source: PR Newswire

:: FOLEY FAMILY DEBUTS PENUMBRA MEZCAL​
Foley Family Wines & Spirits launched Penumbra Mezcal, a single-palenque Espadín created by Master Distiller of Innovation Chip Tate. The expression focuses on reframing the role of smoke in artisanal agave spirits, delivering an elegant profile that balances Oaxacan tradition with modern distilling expertise.
​Read More... ​
​Source: PRWeb

:: PATRÓN LAUNCHES TRANSPARENCY CAMPAIGN
​Patrón Tequila rolled out a bold new marketing push challenging consumers to ask what is actually in their glass, taking direct aim at the widespread use of hidden additives in the industry. The nationwide initiative highlights the brand's commitment to using only 100% Weber Blue Agave, water, and yeast in its production.
​Read More...​
​Source: PR Newswire

:: VERDADERO TEQUILA RELAUNCHES IN TEXAS​
Austin-based Verdadero Tequila officially announced a comprehensive brand relaunch under new ownership, featuring a refined visual identity and a new "Made for More" campaign. The move coincides with a major distribution expansion across all Texas markets through a partnership with Reyes Beverage Group.
​Read More...​
​Source: BevNet

MEZCAL CULTURE RESOURCES

1. ​The Best Mezcal & Tequila Bars​
2. ​Mezcal Brands Available in the USA​
3. ​Mezcal Tasting Guide​
4. ​Mezcal Tours in Mexico​
5. ​The Best Mezcal Cocktails​
6. ​Mezcal Merch​
7. ​Our Summer Spotify Playlist​