Review: Nock Tequila and Mezcal, Complete Lineup

Although the Nock tequila brand opened in 2010, its current incarnation dates to 2022. That is when CEO Melissa Mathieson along with Master Distiller Daniel Antonio Tuesta Popolizio and Master Mezcalero Miguel Martinez produced the 100% agave, 100% additive free tequilas and mezcals we are trying today. They are starting to get national distribution in the U.S., so let’s give them a try.

All tequila expressions are 80 proof. NOM 1502.
Both mezcal expressions are 84 proof. NOM 070.

Nock Tequila Blanco Review

The nose of this unaged tequila opens with sweet aromas of fresh cut grass, lemon drop candy, white pepper, roasted agave, and a touch of saline. The palate also opens with sweetness, but here it is a bit heavy handed. Candied lemon peel, white pepper, agave, and some unpleasant earthiness. Also, the notes don’t come together as well as they might. This will be a fine blanco for cocktails that would benefit from its sweetness and lemony character. B / $38

Nock Tequila Reposado Review

After the bold aroma of the blanco, I was surprised to find the reposado so reserved. Very light aromas of agave, caramel, and lemon can be found in the glass. The palate is similarly very light, but after I took a few sips, the tequila’s flavors began to assert themselves, presenting lemon citrus, vanilla, a touch of green pepper, and a chemical note. It seems the tequila’s time in oak tempered the flavors of the blanco, but it only lightly asserted the notes of the wood. As a result, it would not easily stand out in a cocktail, but it doesn’t hold together well enough to drink neat. C / $48

Nock Tequila Añejo Review

Aged 18 months. The wood was pretty tame in the reposado, but it’s playing its hand much more assertively here. Aromas of oak and vanilla pour out of the glass first, followed by some grass, roasted agave, and a slightly astringent medical note. This unpleasant medical note appears right away on the palate, followed by oak and vanilla that help to make up for it. Midpalate also brings some roasted agave notes as well. This is a standard 80 proof tequila, but it tastes hot. It could hold up in a cocktail calling for an añejo tequila. C- / $73

Nock Tequila Cristalino Review

After trying the añejo, the nose on the cristalino is a surprise. The unpleasant note is completely gone, and in its place come subtle aromas of roasted agave, lemon, and grass. Without knowing otherwise, I probably would have guessed this was a blanco. The palate, however, brings the wood, and it is quite nice. Vanilla and oak hit first with lemon following. A bit of brine appears late in the game along with a touch of dark chocolate in the finish. This is my favorite of the Nock tequilas. It would serve nicely on its own or in a cocktail. B+ / $73

Nock Mezcal Joven Review

100% Espadin. Classic Espadin character on both the nose and palate, including bold notes of fresh cut grass, lemon citrus, smoky roasted agave, black pepper, brine, and a light hospital touch. This is a surprisingly assertive yet well integrated mezcal. It’s fairly smoky, but the smoke doesn’t hit all at once. Instead, it wafts among the other notes, weaving through the grass, agave, and citrus. The finish brings fresh cracked pepper and a hospital note, while the brine is light and sits in the background throughout. This is a solid sipping mezcal, but its bold flavors would make it stand out in a cocktail. Lovely. A- / $48

Nock Mezcal Añejo Review

Aged 1 year in ex-bourbon barrels, and the nose is very different. Unaged, it was quite assertive, but now it is muted offering light vanilla, some oak, a bit of agave, and a wisp of smoke. The palate, happily, shows more character. The mezcal notes I enjoyed in the joven are apparent and balance well with the oak. Grass, lemon, roasted agave, black pepper, brine, hospital, and smoke are all there, but now they are rounded out with light caramel and vanilla as well as a touch of oaky tannins on the finish. A- / $76

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