Caballeros Inc. imports up to 10 brands of 100% agave Mezcals from Oaxaca, Mexico. Among them is award winning SCORPION MEZCAL, which Yes, it does have a (FDA approved) scorpion in each bottle instead of the worm. Scorpion Mezcal is aged up to 7 years in Oak, and is artisan made. Scorpion Mezcal tastes to me more like a scotch than a tequila. Slighly smokey flavor and very very very smooth, even the Silver. Scorpion Anejo 1 year got Spirit of the Year from Food & Wine Magazine and has been rated in the 'mid 90's with gold awards from Beverage Testing Institute. The worm in Mezcals (and is only in Mezcal, not Tequila) is typically only found in Silver or Reposado Mezcals, not the Anejos. The worm actually adds a unique flavor to the spirit. In Oaxaca, the site of your best Mezcals and one of the 3 states that can legally produce Mezcal, they take the worms and roast them, grind them up and add salt, "worm salt". They use the worm salt when drinking Mezcal. Scorpion Mezcal is better sipped like a scotch and does not require salt and lemon, but of course you can use it. The Scorpion does not add any flavor at all, it is the exo-skeleton only and is harmless. Mezcals also mix well with the following: Kahlua, Grapefruit soda, tropical juices such as passion and mango juices, orange, condensed Milk (makes a nice crema). In Oaxaca, there are a number of fruit flavored Mezcals which are not available in the US yet. Mezcal was recently awarded Domination of Origin status, like Tequila and Cognac. As of Feb, 2005, the industry is highly regulated and all Mezcal must: Be made only from government certified barrels and equipment Can be made from up to 18 varieties of Agave (Tequila can only be made from 1 variety) Be made in only 3 Mexican States, Oaxaca being the main state All Anejo Mezcals must be aged in certified barrels. Manufacturers must also receive a certification number New labeling information in Mexico and USA must be met Additionally, there are 2 levels of Mezcal. The first is 100% Agave level Second level Mezcal can be diluted 20% with other alcohol sugars. Tequilas simialar level can be cut up to 49% other alcohols. The "other" alcohols are most likely the reason that some Mezcals and also Tequilas are sometimes referred to as "rot gut". I will only drink 100% agaves, Tequilas and Mezcals. If it does not specifically say 100% agave on the label, it isn't. All Mezcals must be bottled in Mexico. 85% of your Tequila is shipped out in containers in bulk. Scorpion Mezcals range in price from $35-$240. They are at the higher end of the spectrum and worth every drop. The other brands we import include a number of Silvers, Reposados and Anejos. The brands are Embajador, Mistico, Oro de Oaxaca, Tehuana, Don Juan Escobar, Don Ausencio ++. Anejo Mezcals will be harder to find in the next few years because all of the producers have to start over again, aging in certified barrels. Thus, Scorpion Anejo 3 year, when our US supply is gone, it will be 3 years etc. before there will be another shipment. Same with our 1 year, 5 and 7 year Anejos. I hope this helps bring more information to the table regarding this subject. Barbara Sweetman VP Caballeros, Inc. www.Mezcals.com
