As we’ve discussed before, Mezcal is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from any type of agave and the word comes from the Nahuatl language mexcalli, which means ‘oven-cooked agave’. While all tequilas are considered mezcals, not all mezcals can be tequilas. Even though tequila and mezcal are both agave-based distilled spirits, tequila can only be made out of blue agave —agave tequilana— and that is one of the main differences between these two Mexican spirits, not to mention the prominent smoky flavor of mezcal on the palate. Mezcal can be distilled from 30+ different types of agave —maguey— plants and the most popular varieties of agave include tobalá, cuishe, tobaziche, tepeztate, arroqueño, and espadín. The last one happens to make almost 90% of all the mezcals out there.

Because the Creyente Mezcal Joven label mirrors the blue hand and blue writing on the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 ref. 126622 and its taste is as refined as the platinum bezel of the Yacht-Master we decided to talk about it here at WCL. Creyente Mezcal Joven is part of a trio of superb mezcals under the same name but made of different types of agave. While Creyente Mezcal Joven is made of espadín, the other two varieties are made of cuishe and tobalá agaves which are very popular in the central valleys of Oaxaca.

Creyente Mezcal is based on the philosophy that anything is possible. This belief is reflected in Creyente’s pursuit of creating an unbelievable mezcal. The agave utilized to make this mezcal is harvested from two regions in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, one is Tlacolula with its rich soils and the other is Yautepec with its wild mountainous terrain. The end result is an incredibly smooth blend that trumps any other Mezcal we’ve had including two of our favorites: Montelobos and 400 Conejos.

Distilled through a complex process that includes cooking in an earth oven, smoking, shredding, fermenting, and aging the spirit in wood tanks, Creyente Mezcal Joven is unique in flavor and aromas. While most mezcals are very smoky on the nose, Creyente Mezcal Joven is more subtle in terms of smokiness and brings a level of sweetness that we have not perceived in other high-end mezcals. Just like the bezel on the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 ref. 126622 that is made of platinum and can only be identified as such by those that know, the same applies to this amazing mezcal.

Extremely smooth on the palate, Creyente Mezcal Joven is better when served neat but can easily be mixed into a refined cocktail with passion fruit or guava nectar. Now, if you want to drink it the right way, it will be amazing when accompanied by the usual orange wedge and sal de gusano —agave worm salt mix. Its smoky and sweet aroma with hints of pineapple and coffee on the palate are meant to please the most demanding mezcal drinker palates.

Sticker Price $60 USD. For more info on Creyente click here.