State of the Margarita with Ilegal Mezcal Reposado

Erin Petrey -

BOTTLE DETAILS

ERIN'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Newbie mezcal drinkers and cocktail enthusiasts.

WORTH THE PRICE: This is on the medium-high end for a Reposado, but still worth the price.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle.

OVERALL: Many of us are haunted by that one alcohol we had a terrible evening with years back. For me, it's tequila. I do enjoy a Margarita, but beyond that, I can't stomach the agave liquor. But then I found mezcal, an agave spirit with a signature smokey flavor. It's the perfect blend of the oak and smoke flavors I enjoy in peated whiskeys, with a lighter backbone and no malt.

Ilegal Reposado has been barrel-aged for 6 months in ex-whiskey casks, so it retains some of those caramel and vanilla notes prominent in bourbon. The smoke hits directly on the nose and lingers pleasantly at the finish. If you want more smoke and less of the whiskey notes, spring for the Joven; if you want to lean into those caramel and spicier wood notes, then go for the Añejo.

Ilegal Mezcal—notably the Reposado—was my gateway into the category. It's widely available, and the smokiness is less prominent than that of other mezcals. I also like it for cocktails, as the smoke does not overpower the rest of the drink. So when considering a spirit to feature for National Margarita Day (February 22, really day if you believe in yourself), Ilegal was the perfect choice: accessible to everyone, both in ability to purchase and approachability of flavor.

Ilegal Mezcal Reposado

Always a sucker for an infographic, I love this "State of the Margarita" (as I call it) study from Casino.org (random, I know) that shows the most popular Margarita type in each state. AND they didn't leave out DC! Apparently, we in the Nation's Capital are particularly fond of the spicy variety, which I like to enjoy with a Tajin rim. I did find it interesting that the mezcal varietal was not called out, but mezcal would be a great swap for tequila in any of these cocktails. Learn more about the history of the Margarita and how to make my favorite iteration in my "It's 5 O'Clock Here" video.

BRAND NOTES

This exceptional sipping mezcal is velvety throughout. Aged to taste for six months in a combination of new and used American oak, medium char barrels, tasting notes include Clove, butterscotch, and hints of vanilla. 

Velvety throughout. An exceptional drinking mezcal.

Each lot of Ilegal Mezcal Reposado is aged to taste for 6 months, using a combination of new and used American oak, medium char barrels. Our barrels are sourced from Kelvin Cooperage, a family-run business since 1963.

Named Best Reposado for 2023 by Esquire, and awarded Gold Medals at both the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the Tequila.net Awards.

Ilegal Mezcal, the #1 mezcal in the world, is a beautifully balanced spirit with a legendary history that includes smuggling and weeklong parties in Café No Sé, a clandestine bar and music hub in Antigua, Guatemala. Ilegal is delicious, approachable, and perfect for drinking neat or in cocktails and is made ‘Sin Prisa,’ without rush or hurry, and using artesanal methods. Ilegal's taste profile is a mouthful of sweet agave with a hint of smoke. Ilegal is now bottled in 100% recycled glass and is available in Joven, Reposado and Anejo expressions nationally across the U.S. 

Ilegal’s practices reflect their commitment to sustainability and biodiversity in the Oaxaca region. Ilegal Mezcal is bottled at its palenque in Oaxaca in 100% recycled glass, and uses no artificial colors, yeasts, flavors, or additives. Just agave, sun, and time. Commitment to quality is apparent in every step of our process, from harvest to first sip.

ILEGAL CADILLAC MARGARITA COCKTAIL RECIPE

ILEGAL CADILLAC MARGARITA

  • 3/4 oz fresh orange juice
  • 3/4 oz Grand Marnier
  • 1.5 oz Ilegal Reposado
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Salt for rim (optional)

ILEGAL CADILLAC MARGARITA PREPARATION

Rim the glass with salt, if desired. Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake thoroughly for 30 seconds. Strain over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.