HOLY SMOKES - Mezcal

I am a fan of tequila.  I like to sip it straight.  and I like my skinny margaritas:  2 parts tequila + 1 part triple sec or grand marnier + 1 part lime juice.  fill glass with ice.  I found that recipe via Bethenny Frankel on Housewives of New York.  she now has it bottled plus the new Skinnygirl Sangria.  I have no problem mixing my own.

all of this to say that each time I need tequila, I try a new one.  it's hard to beat Patron but it's harder to keep paying $80-100 on a 'regular' basis.  so this is where this smoky beauty enters the scene.

TLACUACHE MEZCALE JOVEN ORGANICO LCBO 225094 | 750 mL bottle, Price: $49.95 Tequila, 40.8% Alcohol/Vol. - Made in: Mexico; By: Mezcales De Leyenda; LCBO Tasting Note: clear water white; earthy and vegetal aromas and flavours.

I was going to write a piece about tequila but found this - KNOW (AND FEAR) YOUR TEQUILA - Toronto Standard, Food & Drink - Jonathan Ore has already done the work for me.  he writes:  "The organic Tlacuache Mezcale Organico ($49.95) is so different from other tequila that it’s got enough going on to stimulate most Scotch fanatics. Its smokiness was vaguely similar to an Islay Scotch, but instead of the sea-salt pungency that most associate with Laphroaig or Arbeg, it feels more like roasted chipotle peppers or a Texas BBQ pit. It tastes smoky, but not salty, with grapes, berries and cucumber. The long and powerful finish fills your mouth with smoke but, curiously, gets fruitier as time passes."  I could not have said it better.  it makes sense that I like it since I am also a big fan of LAPHROIG.

sit. sip. savour.
bottom's up!  Éva Nagy