Tuesday, May 10, 2011

(Review) Monte Alban 100% Agave Mezcal 80 Proof

Mystique: 1-10 points
Score: 10
It has mystery / The worm / why is it the only one on the shelf

Color: 1-10 points
Score: 7
pale clear yellow / nothing special

Scent: 1-10
Score: 8
Agave / Wood / Earth

Initial Impression: 1-10
Score: 8
Cool patterned bottle / THE WORM

Mouthfeel: 1-10 points
Score: 8
Thicker than water / Not Oily / pleasant

Taste: 1-10 x 4 points
Score 36
Very Smooth / Slight Bitter / Very Small Burn

Raw score total: 77 points

Bonus Points: Value 1-10 points
Score: 9
$25 for a 750ml its just below premium tequila and way above regular in taste and priced like regular tequila Score: 9

Total Score: 86 points

I could write forever about Mezcal, so I'll try to hit the basics. It's not tequila even though its made from the agave plant and it has a history dating back to the Central American Indians. The Spanish Conquistadors were thirsty after all that raping and pillaging and they wanted to get hammered and party. The local priest had conjured up a new batch of pulque and they gave it a shot. What they wanted was rum, and this stuff was too thick and pulpy but it had potential. So they stopped raping and pillaging for a while and got to work refining the stuff and using their superior knowledge of distillation to make something more potent and drinkable. After all, what fun is conquering an indigenous population sober, and rum was too expensive or unavailable so lets try some chemistry! All in the name of having a good time of course. The distillation technique for making Mezcal was primarily started in the Oaxaca region of Mexico and involves using hearts of the Agave plant and mashing them with a horse drawn stone wheel. Then straining and fermenting the liquid using a steam distillation method. This process is still used today and gives Mezcal its smooth and distinct flavor. Mezcal in keeping with the Conquistador tradition is usually taken as a shooter mostly with salt and a lime wedge for maximum effect. This one goes down smooth and flavorful. Its sometimes chased with sangarita (a shot of a citrus mixed tomato juice). The 2 go together very well and its a welcome addition. Lastly every bottle of Monte Alban Mezcal comes with an Agave worm. The website states that those that eat the worm gain power and strength. I also think it could be used as a drink holder, but as it's usually a shooter it doesn't sit around long. Mostly it winds up being a challenge to see who will get it and if they with eat it. It only adds more fun to a good time.

14 comments:

  1. Just finished my second bottle. Lovely and very easy to drink with no discernible hangover :o)

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  2. This stuff got me through my 6 years in the air force. Its delicious, very smooth, and reasonably priced. Had a bottle a week between 3 of us for 6 years.

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  3. i been drinking monte alban for years - like 25 LOL. nothing like it. its a much "clearer" high then anything else i have ever drank......i will say i just discovered "Fireball" and am diggin that big time too

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  4. My woman says it tastes musty. It does, but I am getting accustomed to it. Is it supposed to? I still have the worm shot in the freezer. Am I a coward?

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  5. Jees, guys. Get real. The "worm" is really a larva and was the quality control item to let the buyer know the alcohol had not been too watered down. In alcohol the larva would be pickled and not fall apart like it would in water.

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  6. Jees, guys. Get real. The "worm" is really a larva and was the quality control item to let the buyer know the alcohol had not been too watered down. In alcohol the larva would be pickled and not fall apart like it would in water.

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  7. Huhhhh just bought two bottles no worm in either bottle. Letting it chill for a bit let you know what i think after first bottle.

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  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  9. No wonder it's Tequila Silver i am dumb.Let you know how it tastes anyways!

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  10. No wonder it's Tequila Silver i am dumb.Let you know how it tastes anyways!

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  11. I've loved Monte Alban since my college days. It's my #1 drink although it's been years. Probably couldn't drink as much as I did 20 years ago, but who knows? I AM LONG OVERDUE!

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  12. Just had my first shot, I like it!

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  13. When it comes to Tequila, I usually drink Jose gold.... when it's not that, it's always been a Patron, or 1800... it's usually for mixed drinks, but shooters, it's always Jose gold. I went on a limb yesterday and picked up Monte Alban... it was the same price as Jose, but I just read the attached trifold and said f*ck it. But, this is one of the best bottles of tequila, I ever bought for shooters.. I didn't even notice the worm til after I got home... But, it just reassured me of the authenticity of this drink. I haven't seen a worm in a lot of brands since about 20 years ago..

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  14. Jose cuervo especial is not really tequila. It is only 51% Tequila

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