Ilegal Mezcal Reposado is a 100% Espadín mezcal from Oaxaca, aged to taste for six months in new and used medium-char American oak barrels and bottled at 80 proof (40% ABV), here in a 375ml half bottle.
The Ilegal name refers to the trips founder John Rexer used to make smuggling mezcal from Mexico to Guatemala for his bar, Café No Sé. Today Ilegal is one of the leading artisanal mezcals in the world, crafted in Oaxaca by fourth-generation mezcaleros from sustainably sourced Espadín, sin prisa, without rush, with each bottle hand corked, labeled and numbered.
The Espadín is roasted traditionally in underground pits, crushed by stone milling and double distilled. Each lot of the Reposado is then aged to taste for six months in a combination of new and used medium-char American oak barrels from Kelvin Cooperage, a family-run business since 1963. Additive-free and made in small handcrafted batches, it was named Best Reposado for 2023 by Esquire and won Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the Tequila.net Awards.
Velvety throughout, it shows caramelized pear and bitter orange on the nose, with clove, butterscotch, toffee and hints of vanilla on the palate, wrapped in soft smoke. It is a great mezcal to share with friends who think mezcal is not for them.
Sip it neat from a copita, or use it in a mezcal Old Fashioned or a smoky Paloma. The 375ml size is a perfect introduction or gift.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Caramelized pear, bitter orange.
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Palate: Clove, butterscotch, toffee, vanilla.
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Finish: Velvety, soft smoke.
Specifications
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Producer: Ilegal Mezcal, Oaxaca
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Agave: 100% Espadín
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Aging: 6 months, new and used medium-char American oak
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Style: Reposado mezcal, additive-free
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Proof / ABV: 80 proof (40% ABV)
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Size: 375ml
How to Enjoy It
Sip it neat from a copita, or stir a mezcal Old Fashioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is it aged?
Six months in new and used American oak.
Is it very smoky?
No, the smoke is soft and velvety.
Where does the name come from?
Founder John Rexer's early mezcal-smuggling trips to Guatemala.
Explore more in our Mezcal collection.
