TASTING NOTES
Oaxaca has an obsession with bugs and mezcal, but this bottle takes it to a whole new level.
Convite Una’ is a unique abocado with a purpose. Produced with the extract from a colorful little bug, this mezcal has a pink glow that looks great on your shelf. Even more, the purchase of each bottle directly supports breast cancer awareness. Convite donates 10% of proceeds from the sales of Una' to FUCAM.
But, how does it taste? And should you buy a bottle?
Brand: Convite
Category: Artisanal - Abocado
Agave: Espadín
ABV: 40%
Region: San Baltazar Guelavila, Oaxaca
Production: Double Distilled in Copper
THE SNIFF:
- Slight smoke, herbal tones, and a hint of citrus.
THE KISS:
- Slightly sweet with a light touch of minerals and a wisp of smoke. The first taste zaps your tongue with a bit of heat.
THE COAT:
- Smooth but hot on the tongue, not drying. Floral notes emerge from the herbal tones with the taste of berries driving the sweetness.
THE SWALLOW:
- Intensity: Hot
- Complexity: Complex
- Body: Medium
- Length: Medium
- Smoke: Medium
Did I Like It? No - But you should buy a bottle (see why below)
OVERALL REVIEW: Convite Una' is easy on the eye, but a little sharp on the tongue for my taste. The nose opens with a slight whiff of rubbing alcohol, and hints of mesquite and fruit. On the palate, it has a sharp but temporary heat — surprising given the low 40% ABV. The finish is a little softer, and leaves behind a pleasant, lingering taste of berries and mild smoke.
I'll happily keep a bottle of this on my shelf in support of breast cancer awareness, but it’s probably not something I’m going to sip regularly. To put this in my rotation, I might need a pink cocktail to soften the edges.
If you have any cocktail suggestions, let me know!
BARTENDER'S NOTE: This mezcal is considered an “abocado” because it’s infused with carmine, a natural extract from the Cochineal bug. The Cochineal is a tiny, parasitic insect that spends its life clinging to the paddles of prickly pear cacti. Crush it, and it bleeds a vibrant crimson red. This dye has been used for centuries in Mexico. When used in the production process, the carmine gives Convite Una’ its distinct pink hue, a nod to supporting breast cancer awareness and charity initiatives. And what does Una’ mean? Well, it translates simply to "woman" in Zapotec. How cool is that?!
DOWNLOAD THE TASTING GUIDE:
Below is the tasting guide I use to capture my notes. I designed it to follow the way you "should" drink mezcal -- Sniff, Kiss, Coat, Swallow: Mezcal Tasting Guide | MezcalCulture.Com - 2026.pdf