Ilegal Mezcal Reposado

Ilegal Mezcal Reposado is an Oaxacan mezcal made from Espadin (Agave angustifolia) at the distillery in Tlacolula, the brand founded in 2006 by John Rexer after he first ran mezcal up to his bar in Antigua, Guatemala. Reposado mezcals are relatively scarce, and this is one of the more visible examples in the category.
The spirit is pit roasted and double distilled in the artesanal style, then rested six months in oak to layer wood over the roasted agave. That repose brings caramelised pear and bitter orange on the nose, with clove, butter toffee and vanilla across the palate. Production is documented openly by the maker, every bottle is numbered and sealed in wax, and additives of any kind are avoided. Bottled at 40%, it sits on the gentler, more rounded side of mezcal.