In earthen pits high in the Oaxacan hills, agave hearts are roasted for up to a week before being crushed under a horse-drawn millstone. Ilegal Joven Mezcal carries that process into every glass – smoke, earth and sweetness, unaged and unfiltered.
Expert Description
Ilegal Joven Mezcal is a Mexican Joven Mezcal made from 100% Espadín agave and bottled at 40% alcohol. It is produced in Oaxaca by fourth-generation mezcaleros from the Hernández family, who harvest the agave by hand with machetes before roasting it in earthen pits lined with river stones for five to seven days over Encino oak fires. The agave is then crushed with a horse-drawn tahona, fermented naturally in pine vats, and distilled twice in copper stills.
Ilegal was founded in 2006 by American John Rexer, who originally brought unbranded mezcal from Oaxaca to his bar, Café No Sé, in Antigua, Guatemala – hence the name Ilegal, a nod to the early, unofficial trips across the border. Today the brand is one of the world's best-known mezcal names, though production still follows the same handcrafted methods.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Eucalyptus and mineral notes embrace green apple, fresh citrus and red chiltepe pepper.
Palate
Full-bodied agave flavour with a touch of smoke.
Finish
A lingering heat that stays on the palate long after the last sip.
Specifications
Name: Ilegal Joven Mezcal
Distillery: Ilegal Mezcal
Region: Oaxaca, Mexico
Type: Joven Mezcal 100% Espadín Agave
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 cl
EAN no.: 7438650493928
Serving suggestion: Enjoy neat or with salt and lime, or as the base for a Mezcal Margarita
Flavour Profile
Agave · Smoke · Citrus · Minerals
Did You Know?
Every bottle of Ilegal still reads "Originally produced for: Café No Sé, Mezcal Bar" – a nod to the days when the brand wasn't a commercial venture at all, just the house mezcal at John Rexer's bar in Guatemala.
See our full range of Tequila & Mezcal
