When thinking about Mexican spirits, Tequila might be the first drink to come to mind – but mezcal continues to carve out its place in bars across the world. Part of its appeal lies in the sheer variety of styles it offers. Unlike Tequila, which must be made with Blue Weber agave in Jalisco, mezcal can be crafted from dozens of agave varieties across Mexico, each bringing its own distinct character.
Espadín-based mezcals often lean towards the more herbaceous and bright, while rarer agaves such as Tobalá tend to give richer, fruit-forward expressions. This variety, coupled with traditional production methods, makes mezcal one of the most interesting categories in today’s spirits world.
That trademark smokiness is another hallmark. While Tequila piñas are steamed in ovens, mezcal producers roast the agave hearts in underground pits, giving the spirit its earthy depth. The result is a complexity that lends itself equally well to sipping neat, mixing in cocktails, or even pairing with food.
Among this year’s top performers at the IWSC was Espíritu Montaraz Ancestral Pechuga Mole Mezcal, awarded Gold Outstanding for its ‘herbaceous and meaty spice’ aromas, layered with roasted notes. Equally striking was Madre Mezcal Ensamble Artesanal Joven, praised for its ‘vibrant citrus notes of lime and grapefruit’ and a bright, elegant finish. For those who enjoy a touch of innovation, Dangerous Don Destilado Con Café Mezcal stood out with a high-quality nose of roasted coffee and subtle smokiness.
For IWSC Spirits Judging Committee member Deano Moncrieffe, mezcal was a highlight of this year’s competition: ‘The mezcal category was probably my favourite to judge this year, because there was just huge variety of flavours. What was interesting is actually all the different plant varietals that you could see throughout every entry’.
Keep reading below for the full line-up of top-scoring mezcals from the IWSC 2025, complete with tasting notes from the judges.
12 award-winning mezcals to try
HOW DO WE JUDGE THESE SPIRITS?
We run a tightly structured, rigorous spirits tasting process. That means that each spirit sample is pre-poured into numbered glasses and assessed blindly by the judges. Most importantly, our IWSC spirit judges are experts in their field, who work across all sectors of the drinks industry. For evidence, see our full list of judges.
HOW DO WE SCORE THESE SPIRITS?
Only the best spirits sampled receive a Gold or Silver award. For example, to win Gold, spirits have to score between 95 and 100 points. Meanwhile, Silver wines range from 90 to 94 points. Click here to read more on our scoring system.
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