Review: Bosscal Mezcal Joven and Conejo
Bosscal is a new mezcal made in the Mexican state of Durango. Three varieties are on available; we received two of them. Details on each product can be found below in their particular writeups. Thoughts follow.
NOM D248G.
Bosscal Mezcal Joven – Unaged distillate of an unstated agave variety (or varieties). Agave is ground by hand axe and fermented in oak vats, then double distilled in stainless steel stills. 100% organic. This is a decidedly light mezcal, with a gentle, fruit-wood smoke on the nose. Notes of applesauce, with a touch of cinnamon plus some floral notes emerge with time in glass. The palate is also quite light, fruity with notes of baked apple and some lemon, both lightly smoky but entirely approachable for novice mezcal drinker. The finish offers almost no smoke whatsoever, but retreats again to a rather tart fruitiness, lightly sweet, with a gentle floral-herbal quality to close things out. 84 proof. A- / $45
Bosscal Mezcal Conejo – Astute readers will know that “conejo” means rabbit in Spanish. This is indeed a mezcal made with rabbit, suspended in the still during a third distillation in the pechuga style of mezcal-making, the fat adding an oily/savory quality to the spirit. Bosscal isn’t done there, though: This mezcal is flavored (our second encounter with flavored mezcal in a month) with locally grown apples. (This spirit is only made when the apples are in season.) As for the mezcal: Never mind the rabbit, here’s the apples. And more apples. Again there’s a gentle smoke on the nose, paired here with notes of dill, green apple, and mixed green herbs. The palate shifts gears fully with apple quickly becoming the overwhelming focus, to the point where it’s difficult to taste much else. They start off baked and eventually make their way to smoked, but it’s invariably apple to the core (ahem). Here the finish finds a more smoldering quality than in the joven, which is a merciful respite from the orchard. 84 proof. B / $80
Bosscal Mezcal Joven
$45
