Espadin Marca Negra Mezcal

Mezcal is a unique, ancient, and quite amazing spirit that has yet to break through to the mainstream. You could say it's a relative of tequila, because both use agave, but that's where the similarities end. Mezcal is best described by the term it is derived from, "oven-cooked agave", a process that gives this spirit it's unique qualities. Espadin Marca Negra Mezcal ($100) is a great place to start, especially if you enjoy the smoky qualities found in scotch. Marca Negra (Black Hand) might be one of the smokiest Mezcal's around actually, making it a fine candidate to pair with a fine cigar on a cold night.