Ojo de Tigre is not in fact a track listing from the Spanish-language release of “Rocky III,” but a new joven mezcal made from a blend of espadín and tobalá agaves produced in Oaxaca and Puebla. It’s roasted the old-world way in stone pits before undergoing a distillation in copper pot stills. It’s sold at 40% ABV in a rather attractive, flask-shaped bottle.
Its nose has sweet agave, light smoke, tropical fruits, and just a touch of kiwi and coconut. It proves light in body and soft on the palate, and starts with grassy notes of cooked agave that sweeten with citrus and kiwi at the center before meeting a deep, diesel-like vein of smoke that’s not overwhelming yet satisfyingly unctuous and earthy. From there we hit a vegetal, mineral-rich finish that’s topped off by hot cocoa mix.
Ojo de Tigre markets itself as being “easy on the smoke.” I don’t know if I’d agree with the “easy” part, but it’s not a blow-your-socks-off, smokestack kind of mezcal. The smoke is certainly there, but in a deeper, grounded sense that never overwhelms the experience but remains a fully present and rewarding component.
★★★
Stats:
— 40% ABV
— $30
