Rating 95 2024 Top 50  
Style
Produced In Oaxaca
Mexico
ABV 50.5%
Availability Year Round
Price $80.00 
Reviewed By
Review Updated 2024-12-04

Mezcal Vago Ensamble en Barro by Tío Rey (2024) Review

By no means was this mezcal the rarest or most expensive sampled by the VinePair team for our annual spirits showdown tasting. But our panel was unanimous in their immediate appreciation of its inviting character and expressive profile. This ensamble (blend) was produced using ancestral techniques — read: hand-mashed with wooden mallets and clay-pot-distilled — by Salomón “Tío Rey” Rodriguez in the tropical environment of Sola de Vega, Oaxaca. Each batch differs in its composition, but typical varieties include Espadín, Barril, and Coyote. The bottle we sampled kicked off with a burst of red berries, which were followed by aromas of wet rocks and soil. A final helping of tropical fruits entices onto the palate, which leans more into a complex/savory profile. Worry not: fruit makes a reappearance at every turn, meaning that, whether you're an experienced aficionado or someone looking to explore mezcal for the first time, you're in safe hands with this accomplished ensamble.

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95
POINTS
Mezcal Vago Ensamble en Barro by Tío Rey (2024)
By no means was this mezcal the rarest or most expensive sampled by the VinePair team for our annual spirits showdown tasting. But our panel was unanimous in their immediate appreciation of its inviting character and expressive profile. This ensamble (blend) was produced using ancestral techniques — read: hand-mashed with wooden mallets and clay-pot-distilled — by Salomón “Tío Rey” Rodriguez in the tropical environment of Sola de Vega, Oaxaca. Each batch differs in its composition, but typical varieties include Espadín, Barril, and Coyote. The bottle we sampled kicked off with a burst of red berries, which were followed by aromas of wet rocks and soil. A final helping of tropical fruits entices onto the palate, which leans more into a complex/savory profile. Worry not: fruit makes a reappearance at every turn, meaning that, whether you're an experienced aficionado or someone looking to explore mezcal for the first time, you're in safe hands with this accomplished ensamble.

Reviewed On: 12-03-2024
95
POINTS
Mezcal Vago Ensamble en Barro by Tío Rey (2024)
By no means was this mezcal the rarest or most expensive sampled by the VinePair team for our annual spirits showdown tasting. But our panel was unanimous in their immediate appreciation of its inviting character and expressive profile. This ensamble (blend) was produced using ancestral techniques — read: hand-mashed with wooden mallets and clay-pot-distilled — by Salomón “Tío Rey” Rodriguez in the tropical environment of Sola de Vega, Oaxaca. Each batch differs in its composition, but typical varieties include Espadín, Barril, and Coyote. The bottle we sampled kicked off with a burst of red berries, which were followed by aromas of wet rocks and soil. A final helping of tropical fruits entices onto the palate, which leans more into a complex/savory profile. Worry not: fruit makes a reappearance at every turn, meaning that, whether you're an experienced aficionado or someone looking to explore mezcal for the first time, you're in safe hands with this accomplished ensamble.

Reviewed On: 12-03-2024