Codigo 1530 Artesanal Mezcal
Codigo 1530 Artesanal Mezcal is a 42.2% ABV (84.4-proof) artisanal mezcal from Oaxaca, Mexico, rested six months in Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc wine barrels. A blend of espadin and wild tobala agaves, it is cooked in an earthen conical oven, crushed by a donkey-pulled tahona, wild-fermented with bagasse, and distilled in copper pot stills with no additives. This limited-release mezcal is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
- ABV/Proof: 42.2% ABV / 84.4 proof
- Size: 750mL
- Aging: Rested ~6 months in Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc wine barrels
- Origin: Oaxaca, Mexico (San Juan del Rio / Santa Ana del Rio agave)
- Production: Espadin/tobala ensamble; tahona crush, earthen-oven cooking, wild fermentation, copper pot distillation, no additives
From Tequila's Master Brand to Wild Mezcal
Codigo 1530 made its name on Napa Valley Cabernet-barrel-aged tequila, and the 2021 Artesanal launch brought that wine-barrel philosophy to mezcal. Rather than chasing a heavy joven, Codigo rests the spirit about six months in Sauvignon Blanc barrels from California wine country, letting the mezcal's floral, citrus-driven character lead while the wood adds a whisper of white-wine roundness. It sits in a category of one: not a joven, not a reposado — a wine-rested artesanal mezcal that reflects both Oaxaca's wild agave terroir and the brand's Napa roots. Fans of mezcal exploring beyond traditional jovenes will find this one of the most distinctive bottles in the Codigo 1530 range.
Tasting Notes
The brand describes floral aromatics, light woody vanilla, citrus, and dark cherry with hints of earth and clay under a delicate, subdued smoke. Retailers note mandarin-orange citrus, vanilla, and an earthy, herbaceous layer beneath the fruit. The wine-barrel rest shows as lift and polish rather than overt oak — citrus and florals up front, a softly earthy mid-palate, and a gently smoky, mineral finish.
How to Enjoy
Serve at room temperature in a copita to let the florals open. It is a contemplative sipper rather than a cocktail base, though it pairs well with citrus-driven, agave-forward cocktails where its wine-barrel polish can shine through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Codigo 1530 Artesanal a joven or a reposado?
Neither — it is rested about six months in Sauvignon Blanc wine barrels, so it lands between a joven and a reposado.
What agaves are in it?
An ensamble of espadin and wild tobala; retail sources vary on the exact species mix, so Codigo emphasizes the tobala component.
Is it additive-free?
Yes — the brand states no additives, consistent with the Codigo 1530 tequila line.
How is it different from Codigo 1530 Ancestral?
Artesanal uses tahona crushing and copper stills with a six-month wine-barrel rest, while the Ancestral is a fully manual, clay-pot-distilled single-village mezcal.
Browse more mezcal and the full Codigo 1530 lineup — then place your order online with Del Mesa Liquor and have it delivered or picked up in San Diego, CA.