Guide

What we're drinking: agave spirits

Let us introduce you to the perfect mezcal for your home bar based on the bottles getting the most play in ours.

Photography: Lucy DeitzPhotography: Lucy Deitz
Thurman Wise

Usually, when we think of agave spirits, we think of tequila. And in the next beat, we think of all the satisfying ways to enjoy it, foremostly Palomas and Margaritas. Tequila isn’t just summer in a bottle; it’s your favourite summer memory. This is why it’s so easy to overlook its smoky and often misunderstood cousin, mezcal. However, if you’re willing to branch out and give it a try, you’ll be rewarded with an experience that’s more versatile than you ever expected.

Here are some of our favourites:

Madre Mezcal Espadin

Let us introduce you to one of the coolest brands out there right now. Madre have curated not just a drinking experience in their incredible liquid, which is fragrant yet earthy, perfect for mixing up in cocktails or sipping neat. They have also succeed in curated a point-of-view from music and art to their advocacy. This is our go-to mezcal to bring to any gathering.


Espiritu Lauro Mezcal Joven

This is one of our go-to sipping mezcals. The blend of maguey Espadin and maguey Karwinskii gives you fresh, rather than smokey, flavoured mezcal. Think a squeeze of citrus peel with a hint of grass. Lots of folks would say drink this straight, but we love tossing in a few ice cubes and a squeeze of lime or, with its BFF by its side, an ice-cold Mexican lager.


El Jolgorio Tepeztate

Dropping $300 on a spirit isn’t for everyone. For those who are looking for a mezcal that’s worth every penny of your hard earned dollars, this is it. Our advice: take your time with this mezcal, because it took it’s time getting to you, with some of the agave taking 25-35 years to mature. So sit back, relax, and savour the flavours of herbs such as smoked rosemary and Mexican oregano softened by sweet agave nectar.


Del Maguey Mezcal Vida

Here’s one of the bottles that’s been blazing the trail for modern mezcal, intriguing people enough to give it a try. Its striking green bottle stands out on the back bar, which might have a little to do with it. This is an approachable mezcal that speaks to the category: earthy and smoky with some ripe juicy fruit notes for sweetness. Also, as one of the most well-known brands in the space and with incredible distribution, it’s not hard to get your hands on it.

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