Del Maguey Crema de Mezcal 750ML

Del Maguey Crema de Mezcal 750ML is a 40% ABV mezcal-based liqueur that blends double-distilled Espadín mezcal with unfermented roasted agave syrup. Rated 91 points by Wine Enthusiast, this expression stands apart as one of the few traditionally produced crema-style mezcals available outside Oaxaca.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 Proof)  |  Origin: San Luis del Río, Oaxaca, Mexico  |  Crema de Mezcal (Mezcal Liqueur)  |  Distillery: Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal

Production & Heritage

Del Maguey, founded by artist and mezcal pioneer Ron Cooper, sources this expression from the village of San Luis del Río in Oaxaca. The base spirit is made from 100% mature Espadín agave, naturally fermented and twice distilled in wood-fired copper stills. What makes the Crema unique is a precise blending ratio: 90% San Luis del Río mezcal is combined with 10% Miel de Maguey — an unfermented syrup extracted from the sweetest agave piñas as they are uncovered during a five-day underground roast. This traditional technique yields a spirit that sits in a rare space between mezcal and liqueur, with the agave's natural sugars providing sweetness rather than any added refined sugar.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Roasted agave leads, followed by vanilla and ripe pear. Deeper inhalation reveals subtle almond and fresh apple, with smoky, spicy, and vegetal undertones threading through.

Taste: The entry is surprisingly sweet given the smoky nose, with deep raisin and honey-like agave nectar character arriving immediately. Mid-palate brings a creamy texture carrying coffee, pineapple, and gentle smoke. The natural sweetness of the Miel de Maguey balances the mezcal's mineral backbone without ever turning cloying.

Finish: Long and smooth, with smoky orange lingering alongside lively clove and black pepper. A gentle residual sweetness fades slowly, leaving behind the earthy signature of roasted Espadín.

How to Drink Crema de Mezcal

The Crema rewards patient sipping at room temperature, where its layered sweetness and smoke develop fully; a single ice cube opens up the fruit notes without diluting the body. Its unique profile — part smoky spirit, part natural liqueur — also makes it exceptionally versatile in cocktails.

• Oaxacan Old Fashioned: The Crema's built-in sweetness replaces simple syrup, adding smoky depth that pairs naturally with mole bitters.
• Crema Espresso Martini: Coffee notes in the mezcal amplify fresh espresso, while the agave syrup component rounds the drink without additional sugar.
• Smoke & Honey Sour: Combined with fresh lemon and egg white, the Crema contributes body and a roasted fruit complexity that standard mezcal cannot deliver.

Best For

• Introducing a mezcal-curious drinker to the category through an approachable, sweetened expression
• After-dinner sipping as a standalone digestif
• Building a home bar's mezcal shelf beyond standard joven expressions
• Gifting an agave spirits enthusiast something outside the ordinary mezcal lineup

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Crema de Mezcal taste like? It delivers deep raisin, honey, and coffee flavors wrapped in a creamy texture, balanced by roasted agave smoke and a peppery finish. The overall impression is sweeter and rounder than a standard mezcal, with the natural Miel de Maguey providing rich agave nectar character.

How does Crema de Mezcal compare to Drambuie? Both occupy the sweetened-spirit-liqueur space, but Del Maguey Crema derives its sweetness from unfermented roasted agave syrup rather than heather honey, and its base spirit carries a distinct Oaxacan smoke character absent in Drambuie's Scotch whisky foundation. The Crema is less overtly herbal and more fruit-forward with earthy, smoky undertones.

Is Crema de Mezcal good for beginners? Yes — the 10% Miel de Maguey softens the smoky intensity typical of mezcal, making this one of the most approachable entry points into the category while still delivering authentic Oaxacan character.

Where is Crema de Mezcal made? It is produced in the village of San Luis del Río in Oaxaca, Mexico, by Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal. The Espadín agave is grown, roasted, fermented, and double-distilled in copper stills within the village.

What foods pair well with Crema de Mezcal? Dark chocolate truffles complement the coffee and smoke notes. Grilled stone fruit such as peaches or nectarines mirror the pear and pineapple character. Mole negro echoes the roasted agave depth. Aged manchego or Oaxacan quesillo provide a savory counterpoint to the sweetness. Flan or crème brûlée pairs naturally with the caramel and vanilla undertones.

What sizes does Crema de Mezcal come in? The standard widely available format is the 750ml bottle.

Is Crema de Mezcal worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium expression within Del Maguey's range, sitting below their single-village special releases but above mass-market mezcals. The artisanal production method — hand-extracted agave syrup from a five-day roast — and the 91-point Wine Enthusiast rating support its standing as strong value within the specialty mezcal liqueur niche.

Why Crema de Mezcal?

The defining distinction here is the Miel de Maguey itself — pressed from the sweetest piñas during the traditional underground roast, this unfermented agave syrup is not an additive so much as a byproduct of mezcal production captured at its most flavorful moment. Very few producers bother with this labor-intensive step, which places Del Maguey's Crema in a category with almost no direct competition. The 91-point Wine Enthusiast score reflects a spirit that bridges the gap between sipping mezcal and after-dinner liqueur without compromising the smoky, earthy character that defines Oaxacan distillation. For anyone who finds straight mezcal too assertive but wants more complexity than a conventional liqueur, this is the bottle that fills that gap.