Bozal Mezcal Castilla Reserva 750ml

Castilla is a genuinely uncommon agave — a close cousin of the far more widely cultivated Espadín, but smaller in size and typically found growing wild rather than farmed, which means its character leans heavily on whatever specific terroir it happens to grow in. Mezcal Bozal built its entire identity around exactly this kind of wild, indigenous agave, sourced from the steep, precarious hillsides of Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Durango — as the brand's own philosophy puts it: "something wild produces a far richer spirit." This particular Reserva bottling comes from San Nicolás de Acevedo, in Durango, a region whose specific soil and climate character shapes the mezcal's genuinely distinctive final profile.

Production follows traditional Durango-style methods throughout: open-air fermentation in wooden vats (known locally as "cuffin" style), relying entirely on wild, airborne yeast and mountain spring water rather than any cultivated strain. The mezcal is then twice distilled, using a genuinely unusual combination of clay pot stills alongside a Filipino-style hybrid still made of both clay and wood — a distinctive production choice that reflects the deep, cross-cultural history of Filipino-Mexican distillation techniques found in parts of rural Mexico. Bozal was acquired in November 2024 and now operates under Mexican ownership through Maguey Spirits, continuing the brand's original commitment to small-batch, artisan, hand-made mezcal.

Bozal's current official tasting notes describe "deep, earthy aromatics with notes of weathered leather and soft minerality, accented by a restrained touch of smoke," developing on the palate into "bold flavors of cooked meats, chipotle, and ancho chili," creating "a rich, savory experience that finishes smooth, with lingering whispers of smoke" — closing as "a robust, terroir-driven expression for those who appreciate complexity and depth." Independent reviewers at Mezcal Reviews found genuinely varied character across different lots: one taster described it as "very unique and tasty," with a nose "briney and buttery with agave and floral notes," the taste "a balance of sweet and salt" reminiscent of "beef or chicken bouillon," closing with "black pepper and some subtle mint." Another found the mezcal "bursting with flavors — few of them pedestrian or routine," though noting "some rough patches, including the dominating smoke on the palate." A third reviewer's tasting found "wet dirt and barnyard on the initial nose," with "lots of subtle fruit flavors including mango and ripe cantaloupe," closing with "herbs and mild serrano peppers on the finish." This bottling has also earned a genuine Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition — real, independently judged confirmation of quality behind an already genuinely distinctive spirit.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Bozal Mezcal Castilla Reserva is produced in San Nicolás de Acevedo, Durango, Mexico, as part of Mezcal Bozal's broader commitment to celebrating wild, indigenous agave varieties sourced from the steep, remote hillsides of Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Durango. Made from 100% wild Castilla agave (part of the American Oaxacensis agave family, a close cousin to Espadín), the mezcal is fermented traditionally in open-air, Durango-style wooden vats, relying entirely on wild airborne yeast and mountain spring water.

Distillation takes place twice, using a combination of clay pot stills and a Filipino-style hybrid still constructed from both clay and wood. Bozal was acquired in November 2024 and now operates under Mexican ownership through Maguey Spirits, continuing the brand's original craft, artisan, small-batch philosophy. This bottling has earned a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Critics Reviews

Double Gold Medal — San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Mezcal Reviews community (extended independent review):
"Very unique and tasty! The nose is briney and buttery with agave/floral notes. The taste is a balance of sweet and salt. It reminds me of beef or chicken bouillon. Finish has black pepper and some subtle mint. Very good!"

Mezcal Reviews community (alternate review):
"Interesting bottle for sure. This expression is bursting with flavors — few of them pedestrian or routine. While I like it, there are some rough patches, including the dominating smoke on the palate that sort of set it back to me."

Mezcal Reviews community (alternate review):
"Really enjoying this one! Has wet dirt and barnyard on the initial nose that lasts throughout the pour. Lots of subtle fruit flavors including mango and ripe cantaloupe. Herbs and mild serrano peppers on the finish. There is a lot going on here. A must try if you see it."

Maguey Spirits / Bozal (current official tasting notes):
"Aroma: Deep, earthy aromatics with notes of weathered leather and soft minerality, accented by a restrained touch of smoke. Palate: Bold flavors of cooked meats, chipotle, and ancho chili create a rich, savory experience that finishes smooth, with lingering whispers of smoke. Finish: A robust, terroir-driven expression for those who appreciate complexity and depth."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Deep and earthy, with weathered leather and soft minerality, accented by a restrained touch of smoke. Some batches show briney, buttery agave and floral notes, or wet dirt and barnyard character.

Palate
Bold and savory, with cooked meats, chipotle, and ancho chili leading, balanced by a slight sweetness of roasted agave and mocha. Some tasting finds fresh mint, black pepper, mango, or ripe cantaloupe adding further complexity.

Finish
Smooth, with lingering whispers of smoke, closing robust and terroir-driven — genuinely complex, with real batch-to-batch character variation reflecting the mezcal's wild, indigenous agave sourcing.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Grilled or smoked meats
• Chipotle and ancho chili-based dishes
• Ceviche and fresh seafood
• Aged cheeses

Serving Note

Best enjoyed neat, in a copita or small tasting glass, to fully appreciate its layered, savory character.