.png)
Mezcal Gift Guide:
Top Bottles for the Holidays
Raise a glass this holiday season with our curated Mezcal Gift Guide, featuring top bottles
that are perfect for sipping, gifting, and celebrating.
By MEZCULTURE / DECEMBER, 2024
EVENTS
The holidays are a time for gathering, celebrating, and sharing—whether it’s a thoughtful gift or a special drink to toast the season. As mezcal continues to rise in global popularity, it’s becoming a perfect choice for holiday gifts, particularly for those who appreciate craft spirits, unique flavors, and rich cultural traditions. This Mezcal Gift Guide is designed to help you find the best bottles for every kind of mezcal lover, from the curious newcomer to the seasoned aficionado.
​
​With such a wide range of options available, navigating the world of mezcal can feel overwhelming. But worry not—this guide breaks down the top bottles, explaining what makes each one special, who it’s best suited for, and why it will make the perfect holiday gift.
Why Mezcal Makes the Perfect Holiday Gift
Before we dive into specific bottles, let’s explore why mezcal is a great choice for gifting:
​
Versatility: Mezcal offers an incredible diversity of flavor profiles, from smoky and earthy to bright and fruity, making it a spirit that can appeal to a wide range of tastes.
Craftsmanship: Many mezcal producers use traditional, small-batch methods, creating a product that feels personal and artisanal—perfect for gift-giving during a season that celebrates thoughtfulness.
​
Cultural Significance: Mezcal is steeped in Mexican history and culture, making it more than just a drink—it's a story in a bottle. Giving mezcal as a gift provides an opportunity to share that story with others.
A Conversation Starter: With its complexity and uniqueness, mezcal is a spirit that invites discussion, making it an ideal centerpiece for holiday gatherings where people come together over drinks.
​
Now, let's explore the top mezcal bottles you should consider giving this holiday season.
For the Mezcal Newbie: Bottles to Introduce the Spirit
For someone who is new to mezcal, you’ll want to choose bottles that showcase its core qualities without overwhelming the palate. Look for brands that offer a balanced flavor profile with moderate smokiness and approachable sweetness.
Montelobos Espadín
Region: Oaxaca
Type of Agave: Espadín
ABV: 43.2%
Price Range: $40 - $50
Montelobos Espadín is an excellent entry point for someone new to mezcal. It offers a harmonious blend of smoky and herbal notes, along with a mild sweetness that makes it both approachable and flavorful. It’s crafted from Espadín agave, one of the most common and versatile varieties, making it a great introduction to the world of mezcal without being too intense.
​
Why it’s a great gift: This bottle is perfect for the curious drinker who is just beginning to explore mezcal. Its balanced flavor profile is complex enough to intrigue but not too bold to alienate mezcal newcomers.
Del Maguey Vida
Region: San Luis del Río, Oaxaca
Type of Agave: Espadín
ABV: 42%
Price Range: $35 - $45
​
Del Maguey Vida is one of the most popular and widely available mezcals, known for its accessibility and versatility. It has a rich smokiness but balances that with fruity and slightly spicy undertones. Vida is often used in cocktails, making it a great option for someone who might want to explore mezcal in both sipping and mixed-drink formats.
​
Why it’s a great gift: This is an excellent bottle for someone who enjoys experimenting with cocktails, as it mixes well with a variety of ingredients. It’s also a reliable, budget-friendly option for mezcal newbies who want to dip their toes into the spirit without a huge investment.
For the Aficionado: Bottles to Impress the Experienced Drinker
For the seasoned mezcal drinker, the gift should be something more unique or rare—something that pushes the boundaries of flavor, technique, or tradition. These bottles often come from less common agave varieties or use more specialized production methods, resulting in mezcals with distinct character.
Real Minero Largo
Region: Santa Catarina Minas, Oaxaca
Type of Agave: Largo
ABV: 49%
Price Range: $100 - $120
Real Minero is renowned for its traditional clay-pot distillation, which imparts a rich, mineral-driven character to its mezcals. The Largo variety of agave is less common than Espadín, contributing to this bottle's rarity and distinctiveness. Expect deep, earthy flavors with notes of fresh herbs, roasted agave, and a subtle smokiness.
Why it’s a great gift: Real Minero Largo is a perfect choice for the experienced mezcal drinker who values tradition and craftsmanship. The clay-pot distillation and rare agave variety make this a standout gift that will be appreciated by someone who understands mezcal’s finer points.
Mezcal Vago Elote. PHOTO: Mezcal Vago
Mezcal Vago Elote
Region: Candelaria Yegolé, Oaxaca
Type of Agave: Espadín infused with roasted corn
ABV: 50.2%
Price Range: $55 - $65
​
Mezcal Vago Elote is a unique offering because it’s distilled with roasted corn, giving it a sweet and savory complexity that sets it apart from most other mezcals. While it's made from the more common Espadín agave, the infusion of corn adds a new layer of flavor, with hints of caramel, vanilla, and even a slight nuttiness.
​
Why it’s a great gift: This bottle is for the mezcal enthusiast who loves exploring unusual expressions of the spirit. The roasted corn infusion makes it an interesting and memorable gift, perfect for those who appreciate innovation within traditional mezcal-making practices.
For the Sustainability-Conscious: Bottles that Give Back
Sustainability is an important issue in the mezcal world, as the growing global demand puts pressure on agave cultivation and the environment. These bottles come from brands that are committed to sustainable practices, making them ideal gifts for those who care about the planet as much as they care about their spirits.
Mezcal Amaras Espadín
Region: Oaxaca
Type of Agave: Espadín
ABV: 41%
Price Range: $45 - $55
​
Mezcal Amaras is dedicated to sustainability and biodiversity. The company practices organic farming, reforests wild agave species, and gives back to the communities that produce their mezcal. Amaras Espadín is soft and well-rounded, with notes of citrus, vanilla, and a gentle smokiness that appeals to a broad audience.
​
Why it’s a great gift: For eco-conscious consumers, Mezcal Amaras offers not only a great-tasting mezcal but also the assurance that their purchase supports environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices.
Siete Misterios Doba-Yej
Region: Oaxaca
Type of Agave: Espadín
ABV: 45%
Price Range: $55 - $65
​
Siete Misterios is another brand committed to preserving traditional mezcal production while also embracing sustainability. Doba-Yej, made from Espadín agave, is distilled in copper stills, resulting in a cleaner, brighter mezcal. It’s herbaceous and slightly fruity, with a moderate smokiness that doesn’t overpower the palate.
Why it’s a great gift: This is an ideal gift for someone who values both great mezcal and sustainable production. Siete Misterios Doba-Yej is a versatile mezcal that can be enjoyed neat or in cocktails, making it a good all-around choice for the eco-minded drinker.
For the Collector: Rare and Limited-Edition Bottles
Collectors often seek out rare or limited-edition mezcals, especially those made from uncommon agave species or produced in very small batches. These bottles are often expensive, but they’re the perfect gift for someone who appreciates mezcal’s most elusive and extraordinary offerings.
Mezcal Rey Campero Tepextate. PHOTO: Mezcal Rey Campero
Mezcal Rey Campero Tepextate
Region: Candelaria Yegolé, Oaxaca
Type of Agave: Tepextate
ABV: 48.5%
Price Range: $130 - $160
​
Tepextate is one of the most sought-after wild agave varieties due to its long maturation period (often 25 years or more) and its rarity. Mezcal Rey Campero Tepextate offers an explosion of vegetal, floral, and mineral
​
Why it’s a great gift: It showcases one of the most sought-after wild agave varieties, Tepextate, prized for its 25+ year maturation and rarity, offering a complex explosion of vegetal, floral, and mineral notes that elevate any collection.
Los Nahuales Special Edition Pechuga. PHOTO: Los Nahuales
Los Nahuales Special Edition Pechuga
Region: Oaxaca
Type of Agave: Espadín, Pechuga-style
ABV: 48%
Price Range: $150 - $180
​
Pechuga mezcal is a traditional, celebratory spirit distilled with fruits, nuts, and a raw chicken breast (or other meats), which is hung in the still during the third distillation. The Los Nahuales Special Edition Pechuga is a collector’s dream, offering a rich, festive flavor profile with layers of fruit, spice, and a subtle meaty undertone.
​
Why it’s a great gift: Pechuga mezcals are rare and often reserved for special occasions, making this an exceptional gift for the mezcal collector. Its ceremonial origins and unique production process make it a fascinating addition to any collection
Other bottles we are loving right now
We're always on the lookout for exceptional bottles that showcase the diverse and vibrant world of mezcal. Here are some standout selections that have captured our attention recently, each offering a unique flavor profile and a deeper connection to the rich traditions of mezcal production.
Matasanta Espadín Artesanal. PHOTO: Matasanta Mezcal
Matasanta Espadín Artesanal
Region: Oaxaca
Type of Agave: Espadín
ABV: 47%
Price Range: $90 - $99
​
Matasanta Espadín Artesanal mezcal features sweet agave notes with subtle smokiness and earthy tones. Made using stone milling and double distillation in copper stills, it highlights the essence of mature Espadín agave, delivering a smooth, refined spirit with exceptional complexity and balance.
​
Why it’s a great gift: Matasanta Espadín Artesanal is an exceptional gift for mezcal enthusiasts, as it combines traditional craftsmanship with a rich, balanced flavor profile that showcases the true essence of Espadín agave. Its premium quality, smooth character, and dedication to authenticity make it a standout choice for any mezcal aficionado to savor and appreciate.
Xicaru Pechuga Mole. PHOTO: Xicaru Mezcal
Xicaru Pechuga Mole
Region: Oaxaca
Type of Agave: Espadín, Pechuga-style
ABV: 46%
Price Range: $55 - $62
​
Xicaru Pechuga Mole presents a multifaceted flavor profile, blending smoky agave with savory-sweet notes from Oaxacan mole negro and dressed chicken, introduced during the final distillation. The Espadín agave is traditionally processed: cooked in an underground stone oven, tahona-mashed, fermented in open-air pine vats, and distilled over a wood fire in copper alembic stills. This artisanal approach, combined with the infusion of mole and chicken, creates a rich, complex spirit that honors Oaxacan traditions.
​
Why it’s a great gift: Xicaru Pechuga Mole Mezcal is an exceptional gift for mezcal enthusiasts, offering a unique flavor profile that combines traditional pechuga distillation with Oaxacan mole negro, resulting in a rich and complex spirit. It provides an accessible entry point into pechuga mezcals, which often command higher prices.