Review: Gracias a Dios Mezcal Tobala and Tepextate
We previously reviewed Gracias a Dios Mezcal Espadin, and today we swing around to try two of their mezcals, alternately made from Tobala and Tepextate agaves. These varieties differ from Espadin in that they are not domesticated and are only cultivated where they grow wild. They also require more time before they are ready to be harvested with Tobala growing 10 to 13 years and Tepextate 20 to 25 years before reaching maturity. Both are joven (unaged) and crafted from agave from Zoquitlán, Oaxaca. Let’s give them a try.
Both are 90 proof. NOM 0223X.
Gracias a Dios Mezcal Tobala – On the nose and palate, this mezcal shows bold, balanced notes of herbaceous agave, fruit, and smoke: green pepper, agave, and salinity roll together with fresh lime and grapefruit, then rounded off with campfire smoke and just a touch of burnt rubber tire. The slightly higher abv works well here, and the palate is a touch more assertive than the nose, leading to a medium length finish that brings with it a touch of spearmint. This a crowd-pleasing example of Tobala mezcal. A- / $68
Gracias a Dios Mezcal Tepextate – This mezcal blends together smoke, tobacco, fresh lemon juice, lightly sweet agave, white pepper, and a touch of vanilla. I really enjoyed how well the notes come together into a complex yet easy-drinking mezcal. This would make for a good introduction to Tepextate agave, which is often quite herbal and earthy and might scare away fans of softer tequilas. Here, those bolder characteristics are present, but they are comparatively gentle as they are rounded by the mezcal’s light sweetness. A- / $80
Final note: for tequila fans interested in trying mezcal, Gracias a Dios Espadin is a great place to start. If you enjoy it, consider taking the next step to these more exciting examples of how distinctive and delicious mezcal can be.
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