Bozal Ensamble Mezcal 750ML

Bozal Ensamble Mezcal 750ML is a 47% ABV artisanal mezcal from Oaxaca blending Espadin, Barril, and Mexicano agave in a 750ml bottle. Awarded 90 points by Wine Enthusiast and a Gold Medal at the 2021 Bartender Spirits Awards, this ensamble stands out for its use of two wild-harvested maguey varieties alongside cultivated Espadin, producing a layered, smoke-forward spirit with striking complexity.

Quick Facts: ABV: 47% (94 proof)  |  Origin: Oaxaca, Mexico  |  NOM: 0472X  |  Style: Ensamble (Espadin, Barril, Mexicano)  |  Distillery: Produced by multiple mezcaleros in Miahuatlán and Etla regions

Production & Heritage

Bozal sources this ensamble from mezcaleros in two distinct towns — San Dionisio Ocotepec and Ejutla de Crespo — under the guidance of master distillers Marcelino Ortiz and Onofre Ortiz. The agave hearts are roasted in traditional earthen pit ovens before copper pot distillation, a method that deepens the smoky character without overwhelming the botanical nuance of each maguey variety. What makes this release particularly notable is that the Barril and Mexicano agaves are wild-harvested from the Oaxacan hillsides, while only the Espadin is cultivated. Because production rotates among three different mezcaleros — Fermin Garcia, Lucio Bautista, or Don Adrian Bautista — each lot carries subtle variations that reflect individual craft and terroir, an authenticity marker prized by serious mezcal drinkers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with vanilla frosting and green apple sweetness before shifting into eucalyptus and faint herbal undertones. A deeper sniff reveals allspice and pear, with a whisper of earthy soy-like umami rounding out the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is bright with grapefruit and agave nectar, immediately giving way to a mid-palate that turns ashy and mineral-rich. Lime zest and stone fruit from the Barril agave emerge through the middle, while smoked cayenne pepper builds steadily on the back palate, adding a controlled heat that balances the fruit.

Finish: The finish is warm and viscous, carrying a persistent minerality characteristic of the Mexicano agave. Green pepper and lingering smoke taper slowly, leaving a dry, earthy impression that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Bozal Ensamble

This ensamble rewards slow sipping neat at room temperature, where the interplay of three agave varieties unfolds gradually. A few drops of water can soften the smoke and amplify the fruit and floral notes for those who prefer a gentler approach.

• Oaxaca Old Fashioned: The layered smoke and spice profile stands up beautifully to agave syrup and mole bitters without losing definition.
• Mezcal Paloma: Grapefruit soda mirrors the citrus notes already present on the palate, creating a cohesive, refreshing highball.
• Naked & Famous: The 47% ABV and assertive character hold their own alongside Yellow Chartreuse and Aperol in this equal-parts cocktail.

Best For

• Introducing an agave-curious whisky drinker to artisanal mezcal
• Building a mezcal collection that represents authentic Oaxacan production
• Hosting a side-by-side tasting of ensamble versus single-varietal mezcals
• Gifting a cocktail enthusiast who appreciates small-batch spirits

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bozal Ensamble taste like? Bozal Ensamble delivers a concentrated smoky profile balanced by bright grapefruit, green apple, stone fruit, and a distinctive back-palate heat of smoked cayenne pepper. The Mexicano agave contributes a warm, mineral-driven finish that grounds the fruit-forward character of the Espadin and Barril.

How does Bozal Ensamble compare to Ilegal Mezcal Joven? Both are accessible Oaxacan mezcals at similar price points, but Bozal Ensamble uses three agave varieties — two wild-harvested — while Ilegal Joven is a single-varietal Espadin expression. The result is a more layered and mineral-heavy profile in the Bozal compared to Ilegal's cleaner, citrus-driven simplicity.

Is Bozal Ensamble good for sipping neat? Yes — at 47% ABV it carries enough proof to deliver full flavor without harshness, and the triple-agave blend reveals complexity that rewards patient, undiluted tasting.

Where is Bozal Ensamble made? Bozal Ensamble is produced in Oaxaca, Mexico, specifically in the towns of San Dionisio Ocotepec and Ejutla de Crespo within the Miahuatlán and Etla regions, by independent mezcaleros using traditional earthen pit roasting and copper pot distillation.

What foods pair well with Bozal Ensamble? Grilled carne asada benefits from the mezcal's smoke and spice echoing charred meat flavors. Fresh ceviche highlights the citrus and mineral notes. Mole negro mirrors the spirit's earthy complexity. Dark chocolate with chili amplifies the cayenne-pepper finish. Aged Oaxacan cheese provides a creamy counterpoint to the smoke.

What sizes does Bozal Ensamble come in? Bozal Ensamble Mezcal is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Bozal Ensamble worth the price? Bozal Ensamble positions as a mid-premium artisanal mezcal, and its use of two wild-harvested agave varieties, traditional production, and 90-point Wine Enthusiast rating place it firmly above mass-produced alternatives in its price tier.

Why Bozal Ensamble?

The defining differentiator here is provenance and variability — very few mezcals at this price point blend wild-harvested Barril and Mexicano with cultivated Espadin across multiple mezcaleros. That lot-to-lot variation is not a flaw; it is a hallmark of genuine artisanal production that large-batch competitors cannot replicate. The 90-point Wine Enthusiast score and 2021 Bartender Spirits Awards Gold Medal confirm that the quality is consistent even as individual lots shift in nuance. For anyone seeking an ensamble that honestly represents Oaxacan mezcal tradition at a reasonable price, Bozal delivers substance over marketing.