Fortaleza once the tariffs kick in
I’d like to see you up your mezcal game. Casaimigos barely qualifies.
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If you can find it!
Oh I got one at a good price in the land of Tequila. Also got a Cristallino as recommended in the Tequila thread.
I have boatloads of Mezcal from o sure producers in 375 ml and smaller. Finally cut off the purchases when I didn’t drink any for 6 months. I have Lagavulin 16 and Japanese whisky I haven’t opened in 5 years.
I make this mezcal drink, based on one from a restaurant in San Diego, which might get you to drink a little more:
Smoked Hibiscus Mezcal
Brewed hibiscus tea, mix 1 part with 2 parts sugar
Tajin rim
2oz mezcal
3/4oz hibiscus syrup
3/4oz lime juice
Habanero bitters (I don’t have this, so I throw some ground ancho or habanero while brewing the hibiscus)
Serve Old Fashioned style over rocks.
I used to be able to buy it at Binny’s. They told me that they can’t even get it now (not sure if that’s true).
Was it Fortaleza that did a tequila aged in Pappy barrels? I know Corazon now does.
I’m not sure what you have access to?
Ocho and Lalo are both very good. I doubt you will be able to find Fortaleza.
I like https://www.tequilamatchmaker.com for reviews/recommendations.
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That was the only one available in the store I was at , and not cheap either - just over $100.
I was thinking the white vermouth was the weakest link.
Suggestions? I can check other sources.
Ooof. The Casamigos mezcal was over $100?? That’s criminal. For cocktails I’d be searching for Del Maguey Vida or Mal Bien Espadin.
Erm LCBO pricing. For context Ardbeg 10 is $120
The Mezcal was $106
Amaras Espadin Verde Mezcal Is $70 , not available in store, 6 in warehouse (for entire province) to be shipped
Del Maguey Vida Mezcal Also $70, 31 in warehouse.
All prices above Can $ BTW. So that $106 is about $74 US
For the benefit of this Mezcal newbie What is wrong or lacking in the Casamigos - generally, and in this context.
Coupled with the wrong Tequila I seem to have really struck out lol.
Bar in nashville did a great negroni riff
I’m sure it’s real? Casamigos is known for dosing/adding sugar to their products.
Get Del Maguey Vida for good quality cheap mixing mezcal. Bozal ensamble, Vago Elote (or any of the espadins) , Alipus (any expression), Mal Bien Espadin, La Luna Cupreata
Also, most ‘quality’ or artisinal mezcals are >40% (usually 46-50%)
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I’m far from an expert, but I find the Casamigos to be sweet and lack the smoky bite that I expect from Mezcal.
I like Sombra, as well, for mixing.
Casamigos may be the only bottle of liquor that I ever dumped. It’s been awhile since I had it, but I remember it tasting disgusting and not like Mezcal. I also remember it not imparting any smokey characteristics.
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This one is 40% ergo not ‘quality’ lol. Despite its price. 
(Edited for typo on the % )
I’ve never had Casamigos Mezcal, but I’ve had the blanco tequila and do not like it. It’s so so sweet.
The Agave thread has some good recommendations.
https://www.wineberserkers.com/t/the-agave-thread-tequila-mezcal/
I’ve done the tequila/mezcal Negroni/old fashioned thing a few times. Frankly, there’s a reason certain drinks are made with certain spirits, imo. There are great tequila drinks, and mezcal drinks, and bourbon drinks, etc., but mixing and matching rarely works for me.
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I was wondering about that , hence the experiment.
Except.,… someone had to first put gin and Campari together - not obvious partners to me.
I will revisit the tequila version with better ingredients before final judgement. (I have another project pending which is a “top shelf” margarita that a local restaurant has concocted, hence the interst in tequila etc);
Just expressing my own opinion, lol, doesn’t meant it won’t work for you, or that some tweak might make it great. Lots of mexican restos have their version of a “mexican old fashioned”, or a “mexican negroni”. I’ve been sucked in to trying plenty, they’re never “bad”, but I rarely want to order another.
The smoked hibiscus cocktail I posted earlier, otoh, we go to that restaurant just for that cocktail 