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Cutwater is an uncommon firm. We’ve favorably reviewed a few of their whiskey merchandise, and (together with everybody else within the spirits world) they just lately introduced out some canned cocktails, which had been pretty well-received. Even if they’re primarily based in San Diego, and do distil their very own spirits, they’ve additionally launched a tequila and now this mezcal, each of which after all are made in Mexico.
Within the case of Cutwater Mezcal, the spirit is made in Durango by the LTG Distillery, a distillery which additionally makes the IZO vary of tequilas and mezcals. This Cutwater Mezcal is due to this fact not a mezcal which comes with an attention-grabbing backstory about 4th-generation Maestro Mezcaleros who realized their expertise on the ft of their father and grandfather, however is a mezcal imported from a business distillery by an organization in southern California. This doesn’t imply it’s to be handled with suspicion, after all. It’s what it’s, and to their credit score Cutwater doesn’t attempt to spin some yarn in regards to the provenance of the spirit.
The bottle is fairly easy, in step with the mezcal picture, and the glass has a smoky tinge to it, which is a pleasant contact. Sadly, the label has a really distinguished scorpion on it, a sore level with some mezcal makers. Within the Fifties mezcal was marketed within the USA because the Mexican hooch which had a scorpion or a worm within the backside of the bottle. This has by no means been a Mexican custom however was an inexpensive advertising and marketing gimmick by one model which resulted in a really downmarket picture for mezcal, which this wonderful spirit has been making an attempt to stay down ever since.
Luckily there’s no scorpion within the bottle, defying customers to eat it. However what is within the bottle? It’s a joven or unaged mezcal, although the overwhelming majority of mezcals are unaged. Most mezcal is designed to be drunk just about straight from the nonetheless. At 90 proof it’s slightly stronger than common, and this hits you on the nostril, which packs fairly a punch. It’s ferociously smoky, like sniffing on a dying bonfire, although there’s additionally an attention-grabbing mixture of sourness, citrus, and saltiness in there too. Anybody who enjoys peated whiskies like Laphroaig will take pleasure in this, however don’t count on the identical complexities and subtleness.
On the palate it’s the sturdy alcohol that arrives initially, implying that this can be a mezcal for cocktails slightly than for sipping. It’s going to actually add greater than a puff of smoke to cocktails you may in any other case make with tequila or whiskey. The smokiness is so sturdy it’s onerous to flee it while you’re sipping together with your nostril within the glass. There’s additionally a cherry tartness, even vinegary, although not in a adverse means, simply as a part of the general combine. It additionally has some black pepper within the combine, a way of honey sweetness, and a touch of lemon. However primarily it’s smoke-smoke-smoke.
It’s actually a mezcal you’ll love or hate, however in a world of nuances it’s good to search out one thing that can undoubtedly divide opinion.
90 proof.
B+ / $50 / cutwaterspirits.com
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Cutwater Mezcal
$50
