Ilegal Reposado Mezcal, 70cl, 40% ABV

Product Information

In 2017, Ilegal Mezcal entered into a partnership with Bacardi, the parent company of Patron Tequila, although the deal’s specifics were not disclosed. Mezcal may seem like a hot, up-and-coming spirit, but it has been around for centuries. "It has a rich cultural history all over Mexico," says Max Reis, agave spirits expert and beverage director at Mírate in Los Angeles. For most of its existence, mezcal was produced on a small scale to commemorate special occasions. Many mezcaleros (mezcal producers) still craft their mezcals using traditional techniques passed down through the generations. This cookie is set by Rubicon Project to control synchronization of user identification and exchange of user data between various ad services.

The Producer Ensemble: This artesanal mezcal is distilled from a combination of cuishe and espadín agave. It has a bit of funk to its aroma — think a slight hint of parmesan cheese or buttered popcorn. The finish is sweet, like cooked agave syrup with a hint of baking spice. My education and training include a thorough knowledge of agave spirits creation from planting agaves to bottling, including distillation. Ilegal Reposado: This mezcal is lightly aged in oak barrels, similar to a reposado tequila. If you're coming to mezcal as someone who prefers barrel-aged spirits, this might be the a good introduction. Ilegal also offers an añejo and a newly-released extra añejo expression if you prefer your spirits dark. This campaign resonated with those who opposed the political figure, contributing to Ilegal Mezcal’s growing prominence.

The mezcal is 100 percent natural, with no artificial colors, flavors, or additives. It goes really well with chilis. The difference between the two seems subtle — tequila can only be made from blue agave, whereas mezcal can be distilled from any of the agave species that grow all over Mexico — but in practice, they're worlds apart. I’m J Highland, and for over 30 years, I’ve been deeply immersed in the captivating world of Tequila, Mezcal, and other agave spirits. Brand director Kaylan Rexer cooks a lot of Mexican food, and often uses mezcal in her recipes. When she does, she told Bustle in 2017, “I always use chilis … I love the smoke mixed with agave flavors of Mezcal, and the spiciness of chili.” Ilegal Mezcal loves people and hates inequality.

Between now and 2027, the agave spirits sector is predicted to become the sixth-largest category globally. The US has an 86% global market share of the super-premium mezcal category, according to IWSR 2022 data. There is a great deal of diversity in the mezcal world. Unlike tequila, it can be made in 9 different Mexican states from around 40 different species of agave. "In my eyes, if it's made from agave in Mexico, it's a mezcal," says bartender and agave spirit educator Lucas Assis. Each species of agave, as well as those grown in different microclimates, imparts a different flavor profile. Ilegal Mezcal is made with 100 percent Espadín agave. According to the brand, all the agave is harvested by handheld machete and crushed by horse-drawn mill. Once bottled, the mezcal is corked, labeled, and numbered by human digits. Ilegal keeps it real.Its NYC headquarters also doubles as an art gallery where it hosts a curated quarterly series supporting independent artists. One show, Ilegal Pride, donated a portion of proceeds to LGBTQ youth charities. It’s crafted by hand and hoof.