No Age Statement
51.7% ABV (103.4 Proof)
Finished in small batch Mezcal Barrels
Another from Black Forrest distilling, the experimental series is a fun way to try and find some new flavor profiles. While no mash bills are listed on this bottle, there are several whiskeys placed into a used anejo mezcal barrel.
Color: Copper red, and clear.
Nose: Pepper, apple, and agave all come off the nose immediately. Behind that are notes of vanilla, toasted oak, baking spices and smoke that is present and adds a nice complex note.
Palate: Sweet corn is noticeable right off the bat, complimented with pepper and smoke. Sweet up front, with spicy rye notes on the mid. It is drier on the mid palate, and the entire sip is layered with complimenting flavors. The overall mouth feel is creamy and buttery.
Finish: The finish is medium length and smokey and peppery.
With water:
Nose: The nose becomes a lot more floral, the agave from the mezcal really shining through. The nose is definitely sweeter with water.
Palate: Still very sweet up front, and still goes into a mid palate that is spicier and drier. There is clearly some rye influence in the blend. The mouth feel holds up well to the water, keeping its creamy texture.
Finish: The smoke fades a little bit, while still having a very noticeable presence. The pepper stays strong though. The finish is remarkably smooth.
Ratings:
Angela: 89
Zach:89
Overall: 89/100
We are really hoping that Black Forrest continues this experimental run, it is a great and unique expression, and we can’t wait to see what else they come up with.
I’m only a little bit confused as to the tasting notes of this bottle. I recently purchased the Wheated Mashbuild and was so delighted with the smoothness and major notes of cream corn. I thin when back to the store and found this bottle of Mezcal finished Mashbuild. As a Mezcal and Scotch man, I was immediately intrigued. I read this review and Boom, sold! I love everything about the description! My buddy next to me even said, “do you even need to hear anything else”.
In a nutshell, it is full bodied(which I like), tastes like a bourbon, not much smoke coming through, can’t really taste the agave, peppery as hell, and the finish is so harsh and so long that I want to chase it with a Wild Turkey 101 to cool it off.
I feel bad turning this $50 bottle into a mixer, but I even added water and still, it produced the same finish. For the price and the description, I “took a shot in the dark”, and it was a miss. Don’t worry, I haven’t lost faith in the Mashbuild brand, I just think this is an experiment gone wrong. I love bourbon. I love mezcal. I just think this fusion is a bit off.
Hi Jared,
Thanks for your input! While I am sorry it’s not a bottle you liked, we love reading peoples tasting notes. One of the best parts of tasting is that palates are all so different, everyone can have an opinion, and every one of them can be correct. Have you tried any of their other experimental bottles? We are wanting to try the coffee one next, but haven’t got it yet.
Thanks again for your input and for being a reader. Cheers!
Very true! Everyone has different tastes. I guess it’s just not my cup of tea:). Not yet. The only other Mashbuild I’ve had was the wheated, which was really great! The coffee sounds very interesting. I love coffee and have worked with some roasters over their years. I’m weirdly intrigued more by the experimental cacao blend. Might have to grab a bottle:). Thanks for the quick reply!
Prost, milehighbr!