Illegal Joven Mezcal

Joven mezcal is the unaged expression of the category, bottled without time in wood, so what you taste is the agave and the production method rather than a barrel. This one is made under the ILLEGAL label. The details provided don't name the agave species, the state of origin, the distillery or the ABV. I won't claim a specific profile for this bottle. What follows is what joven mezcal typically offers and how to use it. Expect the character the style is known for. Roasted agave sweetness usually leads, with a thread of wood smoke from pit-roasting. Around that, expect green and vegetal notes like cooked agave, grilled pepper or citrus peel. A mineral, slightly earthy finish is common. Because joven spends no time in oak, it won't have the vanilla, caramel or baking-spice notes of a reposado or añejo. Those labels are for aged agave spirits. Tequila's Blanco/Silver, Reposado, Añejo and Extra Añejo tiers describe how long the spirit rests in barrels, with Extra Añejo the longest. Joven mezcal sits closest to the Blanco end of that scale, and a few joven bottlings are lightly rounded with other additions, so it's worth checking the label. For sipping, pour it neat at room temperature. A caballito, a small tall tequila shot glass, is traditional. A copita, a small tulip-shaped glass, or a small rocks glass also works. Smoke and fruit open up with a little time in the glass. Serve it with orange slices dusted with sal de gusano or plain sea salt, or with a squeeze of lime. Chilling mutes the aroma, so over ice is better as a way to soften the spirit than to show it off. A single large cube in a rocks glass is the cleanest option. In cocktails, joven mezcal's smoke is an asset when you build around it. A Margarita made with mezcal in place of tequila (lime, orange liqueur, a salted or chili-salt rim) is the obvious start. A Mezcal Paloma, with grapefruit soda and lime over ice in a tall glass, lets the smoke sit against the bitter citrus. A smoky Ranch Water, with mezcal, lime and sparkling mineral water over ice, keeps the drink dry and light. For these, start with 1.5 to 2 ounces and adjust the sweetness to taste, because the smoke carries further than most people expect.