Best Mezcal for Beginners

[@sballiet]

You've become my mezcal guru! Love seeing a new video drop. Keep up the fantastic work.

[@ZackKlamn]

Hey brother! Thanks so much. I'm very stoked you are getting value from these. Your feedback is immensely appreciated. Let's keep sipping those bueno mezcales, amigo. 🤠

[@zackmooretalks]

From one Zack to another: thank you! I’m not huge into hard alcohol, but after trying some mezcal cocktails here and there the past few months, I’ve been hooked. It’s so unique and intriguing, and I’m looking for a good place to start. Thanks for the video!

[@ZackKlamn]

Not a problem, my friend! Have you got into any sippers yet? Lemme know, wondering if you're mezcal hooked yet? 😎

[@ThomasMetal75]

Ray Campero bottling you showed is $40 for 200 ml. That's around $150 for a 750 ml bottle, no? Are beginners looking to pay that much, honestly? I'm not so sure. I'm into Tequila and bought Verde Momento and recently La Luna Black Label Ensemble (glad you put that on the list), but I don't think beginners will be spending $40 on a small bottle. Let's not scare them, lol! All the love.

[@delgadogarces]

With so many mezcales out there now, this really helps listening to your reviews. I can see you do your homework by contacting the source!

[@ZackKlamn]

Thanks for the positive feedback! I really try to respect the mezcaleros/eras and the quality brands that deliver tasty mezcales. I appreciate you watching, talk to you soon!

[@hecizzy1]

Hey Zack I’m loving these videos. I started with tequila followed by bourbon and now I’m Loving my mezcal journey. El rey campero awesome brand I tried their Mexicano it was delicious. I bought el Rey de Matatlan madrecuishe distilled in clay pot when I visited their Palenque in may. Look forward to going on this mezcal journey together salud!

[@ZackKlamn]

Hey!!! I started w/ aged tequila then got into mezcal. Bourbon has never agreed with me though. Really glad you're branching out into these different maguey/agaves and also different processing styles (i.e. clay pot). That's what makes mezcal so awesome an insane amount of variety. Here's to our journey, let's keep it going!!! :)

[@philc1884]

Haha, dude, that's my story! Long time tequila, scotch guy, last cpl years heavily into bourbon, ryes (recently started a whiskey club) and now with the summer, instead of tequila I've started enjoying mezcal. Although the flavors are very different from whisky, the smoke and higher proofs bring some similarity. That plus I love tequila must be the reason I dig mezcal so much. Also, Rey Campero! A friend gifted me the Jabali a cple months ago and it blew my mind. So many layers yet subtle, truly amazing. Recently tried Madre Mezcal and it is solid 90pr Maguey-Joven. Anyway, great vid Zack! Cheers both!

[@hecizzy1]

@@philc1884 that’s awesome yea basically the same journey we must have similar palates. That Jabalí must be amazing especially since their products are all quality. I’m definitely going to be getting some tezpetape/jabalí soon.

[@philc1884]

@@hecizzy1 yea, I'd like to start experimenting w the different agaves but I fear I'll have to buck up for the more obscure and better ones (as in bourbon : ). I know my buddy paid around $100 for the Campero so I can imagine. Right now I'm trying to pick a cpl tequilas in each category and a cpl mezcals for our club's first tequila night. Cheers dudes!

[@ninetyZeven]

~ Super stuff. Glad I came across your channel here ~ 👍👍 ( not many craft non-tequila agave drinkers on the Tube. )

[@ZackKlamn]

Thanks a bunch!! I'm glad I was found and that you enjoy the content. Keep tipping back those quality agave spirits, amigo.

[@iess2006]

@@ZackKlamn New to mezcal (cheating on my spouse tequila lol) and wondering what your favorite mezcals made like tequila are (no smoke, different agave plant) maybe you'd be open to do an episode on that....love the channel and the content.

[@beckrbuy]

Well done.

[@JoeB1946]

Xicaru Maguey - Espadin Reposado is so nice, smooth with a nice smoky finish, you should try it.

[@ZackKlamn]

Hey Joe! I'll keep my eye out for it and give it a try. Thank you for the recommendation!! 😎

[@marvelatthemovies9143]

Excellent review! Thank you!

[@ZackKlamn]

I appreciate that, thanks right back at you for watching and enjoying the video. 😎

[@ilovecarnitas]

Nice one. Im fairly new to my mezcal tasting (coming over from tequila land..). Happened to try the Rey Campero tepeztate the other week. Really enjoyed it. Before that had tried the Don Amado rustico espadin which I liked. I have that specific la Luna, the price and value is right, I can’t say i pull it off the shelf often though, we’re not quite clicking. Wednesday tried siete misterios doba-yej / an espadin from my understanding. Anyhow, wish there were more small bottles available for purchase out there! It’s so fun to try different ones and learn about the flavors and range!

[@ZackKlamn]

Was the La Luna black label you have 100% cupreata or the newer ensamble? I think the newer one is much better. Small bottles are so awesome to taste other agaves and producers. 🤩

[@ilovecarnitas]

@@ZackKlamn manso, cupreata y tequilana . Lot 42

[@ZackKlamn]

@@ilovecarnitas yeah, that's the one. After Lot 38 it was the ensamble. Glad you gave it a go though, my friend! 😎

[@TonyB001]

You are the Mezcal sherpa ! i’m coming over from the bourbon world and i find your content to be super informative. love the passion . keep them coming . cheers !

[@ZackKlamn]

Salud, amigo!! I entered from rum and tequila... but as you can tell I'm ALL IN w/ mezcal... haha. Love the support and all your comments / questions, my friend. I'm happy that people are getting value out of these.

[@martinraymond7618]

Whiskey guy here. I really appreciate your videos. Just bought my first bottle of mezcal and I think I did ok. I got mezcal agua santa destilado con pechuga and It's lovely! I'm heading to Playa Del Carmen in 2 weeks. I know it's not Oaxaca but any recommendations of what I should be looking for and where in Quintana Roo/Yucatan region? I'd love to bring back a few bottles.

[@ZackKlamn]

Hey Martin! Sorry for the late reply but I was waiting to hear back from a mezcal colleague to get you that info for Playa del Carmen. Apparently, there's a decent selection at the La Europea Plaza (Quinta Alegria) Liquor Store for bottles. But also, there's a place called La Perla Pixan Cuisine and Mezcal Store. They are both in Google Maps and seem to be close to each other. If you get any awesome bottles, lemme know! Always excited to see peoples mezcal hauls coming from down south. Thanks for watching man. Have a great trip!!!

[@martinraymond7618]

@@ZackKlamn thanks for the reply Zack! I'll definitely give those places a try and report back to you and the community 👍

[@martinraymond7618]

@@ZackKlamn I am unfortunately back home now lol I'd like to thank you once again for your recommendations and all the good stuff you upload on your channel. I've learned so much about mezcal already and that's hugely thanks to you! As promised, here's my vacation haul: Mezcal Alipus San Miguel Sola Joven, Mezcal Bruxo #5 Tobalá Joven & Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal Tobalá. Haven't cracked them open yet but I'm planning to do so before I head back to work next week 👍Salud!

[@treycannon6783]

Nice. The Rey Campero Espadin to me is the best value on the shelves in Texas, but no? Also Gracias a Dios is a good value. I love the Tio Rey Tobala (his specialty since that is what he plants the most).

[@ZackKlamn]

The Rey Campero espadin rocks too. I personally like the Tosba espadin a bit better. I wanted to highlight Rey Campero as a brand though and it was a virtual coin flip between the Tepeztate and the Jabali, haha. And man, you are bang on! That Tio Rey Tobala is absolutely off the frickin charts. Crazy good mezcal!!!

[@cnoel1967]

Here on the border, I buy a lot of Montelobos espadin for the regular tipple. Have you had it? It's nice for the daily sipper.

[@ncyankee101]

Perhaps La Luna started blending the Cupreata because of inconsistent flavor profiles? I had read that can be a problem with Cupreata, salmiana and Jabali. (More that Jabali is difficult to ferment well) I have a white label La Luna cupreata that has an overwhelming spearmint taste.

[@ZackKlamn]

Was the white lablel the La Luna Chino (wild cupreata)?

[@ncyankee101]

@@ZackKlamn i am not sure, and I am way for the long weekend so can’t check until Sunday. I have seen several people post pics and they all have had black labels.

[@ZackKlamn]

@@ncyankee101 ... no rush. Just curious. Have an awesome long weekend. 😃

[@ncyankee101]

@@ZackKlamn I don't see anything on the label saying such. The date code on the bottom of the bottle is 19/11/04. For most Tequilas that would mean Nov 19 2004 but I highly doubt this bottle is 18 yrs old.

[@ZackKlamn]

@@ncyankee101 Yeah, you're right there. But aged in glass that long would have some great flavor, hahaha.

[@favoritethings3065]

Hey!....great channel. I love Mezcal as well as Sotol, and tequilla. What are your thoughts on Sombra?

[@ZackKlamn]

Hey there!! Thanks for watching. Sombra is a quality, entry level mezcal specifically for mixing. A few years ago they did a near $200 a bottle ensamble (Tobala and Tepeztate) that was fantastic but quite expensive. I was happy to be able to try it. Have you tried the regular Sombra? Thoughts?

[@favoritethings3065]

@@ZackKlamn hey...thanks for responding. I guess I'm a newbie...lol....I thought the standard Sombra (clear bottle) was pretty kick ass....smooth and clean, but lots of smoke...I'll look out for the higher end one....tha ks again...salud!

[@ZackKlamn]

@@favoritethings3065 ... I started with Sombra too years ago, it was like the 3rd mezcal I ever tried. It's right where you should be. I'm glad you like it and hope you find yourself going down the mezcal rabbit hole, hahaha.

[@richeyrich2203]

Ever try bosscal?

[@aaronthedj12]

First like 👍 cheers Z-man

[@ZackKlamn]

Hahaha, gracias amigo! Call you quick draw. Boom!

[@aaronthedj12]

@@ZackKlamn more than that, of course, great video. I’m going Mezcal hunting very soon

[@ZackKlamn]

@@aaronthedj12 ... If you're online or at the liquor store, send me some pics first if you want. I don't want a good buddy drinking bad mezcal. 🤠

[@aaronthedj12]

@@ZackKlamn thx bro

[@psonic8053]

Great reviews, subbed! I have some Terralta Tequila and Gracias a Dios espadin here and enjoying both! I want to try new mezcals and can get these nearby. Which do you reccomend (for sipping)? Banhez Ensemble $37 Siete Misterios $39 Derrumbes San Luis $39 Yuu Baal Mezcal Joven $39 Sotol Ono $48 Del Maguey Vida De Muertos $49 Meteoro 50 Vago Elote $59 Rayu Ensamble $59

[@ZackKlamn]

Thanks so much! Out of the ones you listed I would go with the Vago Elote all the way! Have you tried any of these in the past month?

[@elizeojuan6172]

Where you buy these?

[@ZackKlamn]

I am in California and there are many, many places online to get these. Where are you located? Let me know and I will try to help you find out where.

[@elizeojuan6172]

@@ZackKlamn west palm beach Florida

[@ZackKlamn]

@@elizeojuan6172 ... I see that you have Total Wine out there, I checked and they have a few stores in the area, From their site I'd start with with Del Maguey Chichicapa or Vago Espadin by Jarquin, if you are looking for a nice mezcal to sip that's not too expensive.

[@elizeojuan6172]

@@ZackKlamn Thank you

[@ZackKlamn]

@@elizeojuan6172 No worries! 😎