Ilegal Mezcal Reposado (75cl, 40%)

Ilegal Reposado is a mezcal made from 100% Espadín agave at the Mal de Amor distillery in Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca. The roasted piñas are crushed with a tahona stone mill, naturally fermented and double-distilled in copper stills. It rests for about six months in new and used American oak barrels with a medium char. The spirit is drawn from the barrel when the flavour is ready rather than on a fixed date, so the oak sits alongside the agave without taking over. The nose offers caramelised pear, butterscotch, bitter orange and clove over gentle smoke. The palate is velvety, with honey, vanilla, floral notes and a hint of mint, and the finish is medium-long, with vanilla, pepper and a soft return of smoke.