18-06-2025
The World's Top Mezcal, According To The Beverage Testing Institute
A selection of bottles of fine mezcal from a range of Mexican producers are displayed for sale at Benito Juarez market in Oaxaca, Mexico on February 23, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Omar TORRES (Photo credit should read OMAR TORRES/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
Nine mezcals were awarded Gold Medals at the 2025 Beverage Testing Institute (BevTest) Tequila Judging. El Acabo Plata Raicilla was the top-ranked agave spirit and one of only two Platinum medal winners in the category. Tres Papalote Cupreata Blanco was the highest-rated mezcal. Below is a brief background on each of the gold medalists, along with the official BevTest tasting notes on the Tequilas.
Score: 95 - Gold Medal–Exceptional
Produced in Guerrero, Tres Papalote uses 100% wild Cupreata agave. This mezcal is crafted in traditional pit ovens and produced using artisanal techniques.
The official BevTest Tasting Panel described the Mezcal as featuring aromas of 'cookie dough, green pozole, and crushed rocks accompanied by flavors of watermelon with tajin, crab boil, and fresh hops. A journey of flavors from sweet white corn to curry, hops, watermelon, pork fat, Tajin, exotic spice, and clay - stellar from nose to the super long finish.'
Score: 93 - Gold Medal–Exceptional
A modern, artistic mezcal brand focused on bold flavor and visual appeal. Crafted with espadín agave and contemporary roasting methods in Oaxaca.
The official BevTest Tasting Panel described the Mezcal as featuring aromas of 'crushed rock, ruby red grapefruit, and ginger followed by flavors of salted butterscotch toffee, fresh green pepper, and turmeric. Wildly complex and balanced with the perfect amount of smoke to make the best Paloma of your life.'
Score: 93 - Gold Medal–Exceptional
Gracias A Dios is a sustainable mezcal brand from Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca. Produced using espadín agave and double distillation in copper stills.
The official BevTest Tasting Panel described the Mezcal as featuring aromas of 'cocoa butter, dried chili pepper, and mango skins with flavors of dark, milk chocolate, and shishito pepper. Flavors of floral chocolates explode on the palate with a subtle heat lingering on the finish.
Score: 93 - Gold Medal–Exceptional
Produced by maestro mezcalero Emigdio Jarquin in Miahuatlán, Oaxaca. Part of the Mezcal Vago series, known for village-level craft distillations and unfiltered flavor.
The official BevTest Tasting Panel described the Mezcal as featuring aromas of 'guava, trail mix, and salted caramel followed by flavors of agave, spearmint, and prickly pear. A salty, floral treat with a creamy body to try on the rocks.'
A field of Espadin agave (Agave angustifolia) taken at the mezcal factory Tres Colibries in Villa Sola de Vega, Oaxaca State, Mexico, on July 26, 2022. - (Photo by Pedro PARDO / AFP) (Photo by PEDRO PARDO/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
Score: 93 - Gold Medal–Exceptional
Another expression from Mezcal Vago, distilled by Joel Barriga and known for bold, smoky mezcals with unique character and robust proof.
The official BevTest Tasting Panel described the Mezcal as featuring aromas of masa, bear claw donuts, and smoked tea, accompanied by flavors of salted caramel, wet slate, and lemongrass. Warm and satisfying, carrying the high proof beautifully, managing the smoke perfectly like conversing with an old friend at a campfire.'
Score: 91 - Gold Medal–Exceptional
Part of the Casamigos line co-founded by George Clooney, this joven mezcal is made with Espadín agave in Oaxaca.
The official BevTest Tasting Panel described the Mezcal as featuring aromas of 'agave, prickly pear, and plum with flavors of lime, green pepper, and roasted pineapple. The flavor packs a punch that won't get lost in a cocktail, yet holds itself well to be enjoyed alone.'
Score: 90 - Gold Medal–Exceptional
Mezcal Vago's Elote expression includes roasted corn added during the second distillation—a flavorful and festive take on traditional Espadín mezcal.
The official BevTest Tasting Panel described the Mezcal as featuring aromas of 'crushed rocks, black pepper, and cake sugar with flavors of white birthday cake, spice mix, and green salsa. Active and fun, rich and warming, this mezcal brings a pleasant kick of herbs and pepper.'
Score: 90 - Gold Medal–Exceptional
An ensemble of various agave species. This mezcal is distilled in clay pot stills, reflecting Oaxaca's ancient production style and earthy complexity. Ensenmble mezcals are fashioned from whichever agave is ready to harvest, hence each batch is different.
The official BevTest Tasting Panel described the Mezcal as featuring aromas of 'cinnamon, apple blossom, and walnut shells with flavors of green tea, strawberry mint, and dried leaves. The combination of herbs and fruits balanced with pepper tones from the proof makes this spirit a delight to enjoy neat.'
Score: 92 - Gold Medal–Exceptional
Pechugas are agave spirits whose vapor is brought into contact with fruits, vegetables, meat, or other organic material during distillation. This expression is an exceptional seasonal mezcal from Salvadores, distilled with fruit, spices, and chicken breast for richness. Infused with marigold (cempasúchil), this is a festive and culinary experience.
The official BevTest Tasting Panel described the Mezcal as featuring aromas of 'butter cream, roasted pineapples, and lavender with flavors of sweet baking spices, lemon marmalade, and coriander. Rich and composed, a full dish of a pechuga from start to finish.'
A mezcal still at an artisanal mezcal distillery in the valley of Oaxaca, Mexico. (Photo by: Jon G. Fuller/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
The top-rated agave spirit was El Acabo Plata Raicilla. It was the highest-scoring agave spirit in the BevTest 2025 judging.
Raicilla is a traditional Mexican agave spirit, primarily produced in the western state of Jalisco, particularly in the coastal and mountainous regions outside the Tequila Denomination of Origin. It is made from a variety of wild and cultivated agave species, most commonly Agave maximiliana, Agave lechuguilla, and Agave angustifolia, among others.
Unlike Tequila and Mezcal, Raicilla often uses pit or above-ground ovens and filtration through organic materials, resulting in a more floral, fruity, and earthy profile. Recognized with its own Denomination of Origin in 2019, Raicilla showcases the diversity of Mexico's agave spirits with a distinctly regional identity.
Score: 97 - Platinum Medal–Superlative
El Acabo is a premium raicilla from Jalisco, made from Maximiliana or Lechuguilla agave. Known for intense, wild flavors, it's an artisanal spirit gaining global recognition.
The official BevTest Tasting Panel described the Mezcal as featuring aromas of 'sandalwood, wet leather, and browning butter accompanied by flavors of pepper crusted tandoori mango, green papaya-lime-chili, and cumin seared cactus. A culinary journey in a glass keeps getting better with every multi-flavored sip, fruity-dry-fatty-savory all at the same time.'
The 2025 BevTest Judging highlighted the enormous diversity of Mexico's agave spirits. Although Tequila still represents the bulk of Mexico's agave spirits, Mezcal is rapidly growing, providing a range of diverse aroma and flavor profiles.
In addition, there are a score of regional agave spirits, many of which are relatively unknown outside of Mexico, that are also expanding the aroma and flavor profile of agave spirits. With more than 100 different species of indigenous agave and a distillation tradition dating back centuries, Mexico's incredible diversity of mezcal and other agave spirits awaits exploration.
