Ilegal Mezcal Anejo 750ml

Product Description

Ilegal Mezcal Añejo: The Mezcal That Converts Skeptics

Ilegal Mezcal Añejo began as a smuggler's secret, founded by John Rexer, who started bringing mezcal from Oaxaca to his bar, Café No Sé, in Antigua, Guatemala, back in 2004. What started as a bar's house pour has grown into one of the most respected aged mezcal brands in the world, earning "Best of the Best" honors for Best Aged Mezcal year over year at the Tequila.net Awards. Ilegal Añejo is often described as the mezcal that turns skeptics into devotees, delivering the depth and elegance of a fine cognac or aged scotch through the unmistakable lens of Oaxacan mezcal.

How Ilegal Mezcal Añejo Is Made

Crafted in Tlacolula, Oaxaca by master distillers Alvaro Hernandez, Armando Hernandez Lorenzo, and Eric Hernandez, Ilegal Añejo begins with 100% Espadín agave, roasted in traditional underground pit ovens using mesquite and eucalyptus wood, then crushed by a tahona stone mill. The mash ferments naturally with airborne yeasts before double distillation in small copper pot stills. Each batch is then aged to taste for 13 months in a blend of new and used American oak and French oak, medium char barrels sourced from Kelvin Cooperage, a family-run cooperage operating since 1963. It's bottled at 40% ABV, and because each batch is aged individually rather than blended for consistency, every bottling carries slight variation.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Cooked agave, roasted pears, clove, and bright orange peel.

Palate: Maple, sweet agave, vanilla, caramel, and dark chocolate, with a full, nearly creamy, round mouthfeel.

Finish: Soft and smooth.

Food Pairings

The maple, caramel, and dark chocolate character in Ilegal Añejo pairs beautifully with a flourless chocolate cake, roasted pears, or a plate of aged Manchego. Its clove and orange peel notes also complement a spiced dessert like gingerbread.

Serving Suggestions

Ilegal Mezcal Añejo is best enjoyed neat in a snifter, giving its oak-driven sweetness and smoke room to unfold. It's also an excellent choice for whiskey or cognac drinkers looking for a mezcal that bridges familiar aged-spirit territory.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Ilegal Mezcal Añejo aged? 13 months in a blend of American and French oak barrels.

What agave is used? 100% Espadín agave.

What proof is this mezcal? 40% ABV (80 proof).

Why does each batch taste slightly different? Ilegal Añejo is aged to taste rather than blended for consistency, so batches naturally vary in flavor from one bottling to the next.

Explore More

Looking for more from this legendary Oaxacan mezcal brand? Shop the full Ilegal Mezcal collection for the Joven and Reposado expressions, or browse our complete Mezcal collection for more agave spirits.

The Quality Liquor Store Guarantee

At Quality Liquor Store, we guarantee the authenticity and quality of every bottle we sell. All of our products are sourced directly from authorized distributors, and every order is carefully packaged to arrive safely at your door. Shop with confidence knowing your mezcal is in good hands.