Mezcal is tequila's smokier, wilder relative — agave roasted in earthen pits, crushed by tahona, fermented in the open air and distilled in small copper stills. The five bottles below show the full arc, from unaged joven to a 13-month añejo, from Oaxaca's Espadin heartland to Durango's wild Cenizo mesas, and all are available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, our family-owned store in San Diego, California. Start with the mezcal collection and compare the tequila shelf alongside it.
Five Mezcals: Joven, Reposado, Añejo and Wild Agave
- Ilegal Mezcal Joven — $44.99. The unaged original at 40% ABV: 100% Espadin from Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca, roasted 5 to 7 days in earthen pits over Encino oak, tahona-crushed, naturally fermented and double distilled in 250-litre copper stills. No oak, no additives — the clearest window into the process.
- Ilegal Mezcal Reposado — $47.99. The same Espadin spirit rested 6 months in new and used American oak with a medium char. Caramelized pear, bitter orange, clove and butterscotch soften the smoke without burying it — an exceptional sipping mezcal and a fine mezcal Old Fashioned base.
- Izo Mezcal Joven — $64.99. The Durango counterpoint at 47% ABV (94 proof): wild Cenizo agave (Agave durangensis) from high-altitude mesas up to about 8,500 feet, slow-roasted with local oak in lava-rock-lined pits, distilled twice and finished with a handmade onyx stopper. Smooth and subtly smoky, made to sip.
- Ilegal Mezcal Anejo — $68.99. Ilegal's longest rest — 13 months in American oak, aged to taste lot by lot. Maple, clove and bitter orange on the nose; dark chocolate and sweet agave on the palate. Sip it neat like a fine Scotch or Cognac.
- Casamigos Tequila Mezcal — $74.99. A crystal-clear joven at 40% ABV from Santiago Matatlan, made by a fourth-generation family of mezcaleros: Espadin slow-cooked 4 to 6 days in earthen pits, tahona-crushed, fermented 6 to 8 days and twice distilled in copper pot stills, in the matte-black hand-finished bottle.
Joven, Reposado or Añejo — Which Mezcal?
Joven shows you the agave and the roast with nothing in between — choose Ilegal Joven for Oaxaca purity or Izo for Durango's wilder, higher-proof character. Reposado adds a half-year of oak roundness, and añejo trades some smoke for chocolate, maple and spice. Mezcal is best sipped neat from a wide glass at room temperature, with orange slices and sal de gusano alongside if you like. For more agave reading, see the Del Mesa blog, our store story, and the FAQs for ordering help.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between mezcal and tequila?
Tequila must use blue Weber agave in a defined region, usually steam-cooked. Mezcal can use many agave varieties across a wider region and traditionally roasts agave in earthen pits, which gives it its signature gentle smoke.
What does joven, reposado and añejo mean for mezcal?
Joven is unaged, reposado rests in oak for months — Ilegal Reposado spends 6 months — and añejo ages a year or more; Ilegal Añejo rests 13 months in American oak.
How should you drink mezcal?
Sip it neat at room temperature in small pours, letting the agave and roast unfold. Higher-proof bottles like Izo Mezcal Joven at 94 proof also stand up beautifully in a mezcal Old Fashioned or Margarita.
Can I order mezcal online from Del Mesa Liquor?
Yes — every mezcal in this guide is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, California; check the shipping policy for delivery to your state.