Ed Draves Samples… Mezcal Ancestral, from Sola de Vega
It was a magical day. I went with a couple of friends to escape the pressures of working in the city. We left with two missions. Relax and to find some […]
Ed Draves Samples… Mezcal Olla Zapoteca
Here’s the latest from Ed Draves, our resident Buffalonian and taster/reviewer of all of our mezcals. Brand… Mezcal Olla Zapoteca Category… Tobalá… 50% Alcohol Origin… Mitla, Oaxaca Tasting Notes… From Alejandro Gonzales, this mezcal is incredibly sweet and has a nice powerful and floral nose (brought visions of Springtime in my garden) rising from the glass […]
Ed Draves Samples… Mezcal Meteoro!
Legend has it that many years ago a meteor fell from the sky and hit Oaxaca, Mexico. It was then that a local mezcalero decided to use the red hot […]
Ed Draves Samples… Mezcal Espiritu Lauro!
Here’s the latest from Ed Draves, a Buffalo native and our resident taster of all things mezcal that we come across. Brand… Espiritu Lauro Category… Ensamble… 70% Espadin, 30% Karwinskii… 40% Alcohol Origin… Amatengo, Oaxaca Tasting Notes… This has a fresh minerally nose, mild smoke with subtle floral notes. There is some nice body on […]
Ed Draves Samples… Marca Negra Espadin!
I was sitting one day with Cecilia Rios, La Niña del Mezcal, at In Situ, the classic mezcaleria in Oaxaca when I decided to ask her thoughts on five mezcals everyone should experience. One of the mezcals she mentioned was Marca Negra. When I asked why, she answered because they […]
5 Mezcals Everyone Needs to Experience… with Charles Collins of Real Matlatl Mezcal
We first met the gang from Real Matlatl at the Feria de Mezcal in Oaxaca in 2013. It was there that we had our first chance to sample their Mezcal […]
5 New York Wines Everyone Needs to Experience… with Ed Draves of Premier Wines
Some of the best things in life are found close to home. In the case of Ed Draves, our resident taster and identifier of those hidden flavors in mezcal, that means Western New York. For years Ed has been the “wine guy” at Premier Wine and Spirits. He’s also the […]
Ed Draves Samples… Anejo & Reposado!
Brand… Ilegal Category… Anejo Tasting Notes… Golden color with a little wood and some very mild on the nose nose carmel notes giving way to citrus, smoke and mineral taste. This mezcal is very light and easy going with not a lot of alcohol showing. Ilegal’s anejo has brilliant balance. Rating… 3 Magueys […]
Ed Draves Samples… Mezcal Rey Campero’s “Jabali”
Brand… Rey Campero Category… Jabali from the agave Convallis Origin… Zoquitlan, Oaxaca Tasting Notes… A real treat – slightly opaque, black pepper and citrus on the nose, strong mineral component. This mezcal is full bodied with a mouth coating texture that is extraordinary and thick. The 48% alcohol content provides more balance than […]
Mezcal Tasting 101
Even wanted to know how to taste mezcal, or even wine? Ed Draves, our resident wine aficionado and mezcalier, gives us a quick lesson on the basics in this short video, shot on site recently in Oaxaca.
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