Ilegal Mezcal Joven was awarded Double Platinum, the highest award, in the ASCoT Awards, blind-tasted and scored for appearance, aroma, taste, and finish. Soon, this Mezcal was being carried in the luggage of travellers passing from Guatemala to America and beyond. It was in 2004 that Ilegal Mezcal's founder John Rexer began bringing unbranded mezcal from a variety of villages in Oaxaca to Antigua to supply his bar, Cafe No Se. Eucalyptus and mineral aromas compliment hints of green apple, pear, fresh citrus, and red chiltepe, with light smoke and lingering heat.

Handcrafted in small batches by fourth-generation mezcaleros, mezcals are all made with perfectly ripe, sustainable Espadín agave, double distilled in the Santiago Matatlan Valley of Oaxaca, Mexico.The agave is baked in clay ovens and ground with a stone millstone -- all traditional methods in an age of modern ovens and steel mills. As such we have invested in global protection and take action against every infringement of our rights. Handcrafted in small batches by fourth-generation mezcaleros, all their mezcals are made with perfectly ripe, sustainable Espadín agave, which is roasted in an earthen pit as is the traditional way. Ilegal Joven Mezcal is a testament to the artisanal production methods and time-honoured traditions of Oaxacan mezcal, and a must-try for any mezcal enthusiast looking for an authentic and flavourful experience.

The quality of our packaging ensures the wine arrives safe and sound, it is full compostable or recyclable. Ilegal Mezcal was founded in 2006 by John Rexer, who began by smuggling this product into his Bar, Cafe No Se, in Antigua, Guatemala. Despite the foul offensive odor the taste was very weak and mostly flavorless with just an aftertaste of white granulated sugar and peroxide. In the case of Ilegal Joven, the Espadín agave once again proves its versatility by triggering aromas of citrus, green apple and a hint of white pepper. It turns out they were pretty popular, so in 2006 Rexer created Ilegal Mezcal purely just to supply his bar with, nobody else.

What do you do when you're one of the most famous men in the world and you've created the fastest growing tequila brand in the world? Check out our signature mezcal cocktail recipes, and try Ilegal as the base spirit in a Mezcal Margarita, a Mezcal Mule, or your favorite cocktail. Triple distilled and then rested for a short time in oak tanks, Gran Patron Platinum is wonderfully smooth and full-bodied. A carefully composed blend of sweet and smoky notes - green peppers, sooty smoke and freshly baked agave.

Ilegal Joven is ideal for sipping neat or for cocktails such as a Smoky Margarita or Mezcal Negroni. Giving an aroma that only agave can, these characteristics continue to develop to reveal savoury vegetal notes with a lovely rounded aroma of ripe green pepper. This complex character is nuanced by delicate tones of smoke and hints of liquorice - and a long, silky finish. With sustainability at its core and a focus on fair trade and authenticity, Ilegal marries this attitude with a traditional, meticulous approach to production. Produced in Oaxaca, Ilegal Joven is a young Mezcal which has the distinctive flavour of roasted agave and earthy tones which help it stand out from the crowd.Aged for over seven years in 35 barrels of French Oak, Ilegal Mezcal 7 Year Añejo makes for an exceptional gift, or an ideal sidekick to break out on a special night. The entry on the palate is mild and sweet, but it quickly heats up with cayenne pepper then shifts to sugared grapefruit. The agave's are roasted for 5-7 days in earth lined pits and are then crushed using a horse drawn Tahona stone mill.

Ilegal Reposado Mezcal is velvety throughout with a caramelised pear and bitter orange note and on the nose. Ilegal Mezcal helped introduce the world to aged mezcal with our Reposado and Añejo expressions, and our new Limited Edition 7 Year Añejo further expands our showcasing of barrel aged innovation and artisanal craft. The General Wine Company sources wines from all over the world, but with a particular focus on small, independent producers. The nose is full of that fresh agave teamed with citrus and fresh fruit and the flavour follows suit with the agave taking centre stage, citrus and fruit following on.It is made using various types of agave – while Tequila is a monoculture of blue agave, mezcal uses dozens of sub-species – and a highly artisanal production method. The brand Ilegal has especially got the knack of catching the spirit of this drink and sharing it with thrilled agave schnapps fans all over the world. This is a very nice mezcal, it really depends on the batch, with the higher batches, they have got better and it’s worth a second look.