Top 12 How Long Does Mezcal Last All Answers

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The shelf life of mezcal is indefinite, but if mezcal develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, it should be discarded for quality purposes.However, since the alcohol content of Mezcal and tequila is usually in the same range of 38% to 55% ABV, the shelf life of the two is roughly the same. Mezcal and tequila will stay deliciously enjoyable for years to come if unopened. Once opened, they both should be enjoyed within the span of a year.While the flavor of the mezcal does indeed change as it ages, the aging in glass tends to enhance what is already present, making the mezcal more balanced, integrated, and settled.

How long does mezcal last open?

However, since the alcohol content of Mezcal and tequila is usually in the same range of 38% to 55% ABV, the shelf life of the two is roughly the same. Mezcal and tequila will stay deliciously enjoyable for years to come if unopened. Once opened, they both should be enjoyed within the span of a year.

Does mezcal taste better with age?

While the flavor of the mezcal does indeed change as it ages, the aging in glass tends to enhance what is already present, making the mezcal more balanced, integrated, and settled.

Do you have to refrigerate mezcal after opening?

When mezcal is consumed at room temperature, it is best. The natural congeners that exist in mezcal are similar to those found in most American whiskeys (especially bourbon). Don’t put mezcal in the fridge or freezer, and don’t put ice in the mezcal unless you’re making cocktails with it.

Can you age mezcal?

Some mezcals are aged before being bottled, giving them a different colour and flavour due to the barrels they are aged in. The aging classifications are: Joven: Unaged or aged for less than 2 months. Reposado: Aged for between 2-12 months.

Can I drink 10 year old tequila?

Is it safe to drink expired tequila? Yes, it is still safe to drink expired tequila [2]. Liquor does not expire to the point where it can make you sick. It just loses flavor after a year has passed since it was opened.

Can old tequila make you sick?

The shelf life of Tequila is 3-6 months once opened, but unopened Tequila lasts for years. It degrades the quality of the product when it is oxidized or evaporated. While it may not taste as good, you can still drink it. Unless you overdo it, you will not get sick.

How can you tell if mezcal is good?

Shake the bottle to check for the formation of bubbles, or pearls. If no pearls form, do not buy the mezcal unless alcohol content is 55% or higher. You can also do this by pouring the mezcal from one glass to another.

Does mezcal go bad opened?

MEZCAL, COMMERCIALLY BOTTLED – UNOPENED OR OPENED

The answer to that question is a matter of quality, not safety, assuming proper storage conditions – when properly stored, a bottle of mezcal has an indefinite shelf life, even after it has been opened.

Is mezcal a sipping tequila?

Mezcal works in most classic tequila cocktails such as margaritas or Palomas, but you can also get more inventive. We recommend trying a mezcal negroni, a margarita-esque mezcalita, or a mezcal and tonic to spice things up. But mezcal’s bold flavor also makes it ripe for sipping neat or on the rocks.

How is mezcal different from tequila?

Tequila is typically produced by steaming the agave inside industrial ovens before being distilled two or three times in copper pots. Mezcal, on the other hand, is cooked inside earthen pits that are lined with lava rocks and filled with wood and charcoal before being distilled in clay pots.

How are you supposed to drink mezcal?

Sip it neat

“The best way to drink mezcal will always be clean, in small sips similar to small kisses, always accompanied by a little water to cleanse the palate and hydrate,” Medina says. “In this way you can appreciate the different flavors and aromas of mezcal.”

Is mezcal good for shots?

“The first mistake many people make is pouring mezcal in a shot glass and pouring it down their throat,” says Reyes. Instead, he recommends sipping from a shallow clay cup called a jicara.

Where do you store mezcal?

Keep mezcal tightly closed when not in use to ensure a long shelf life and maximum quality. Store away from direct sunlight or heat for the best results.

Does tequila expire?

Tequila doesn’t expire if left unopened, like the other shelf-stable spirits. But tequila can go bad. Once opened, tequila should be enjoyed within a year. That’s how long tequila lasts.

Is mezcal always smoky?

When it comes to mezcal, yes, there is always some level of smoke flavor to the spirit. Sometimes, that smoke can be light, and at other times it can be rather heavy, like licking an ashtray. When it is on the heavier side, some spirits experts say the smoke flavor could be a coverup for other faults in the liquid.

Does mezcal go bad opened?

MEZCAL, COMMERCIALLY BOTTLED – UNOPENED OR OPENED

The answer to that question is a matter of quality, not safety, assuming proper storage conditions – when properly stored, a bottle of mezcal has an indefinite shelf life, even after it has been opened.

Is mezcal good to sip?

But mezcal’s bold flavor also makes it ripe for sipping neat or on the rocks. Most of our favorite mezcals are premium spirits that can compete with any fine scotch or cognac, so it’s always good to least taste first before mixing cocktails (or pouring another two fingers).

What is mezcal supposed to taste like?

What does mezcal taste like? Because mezcal is made from roasted agaves, it has a smoky taste that can be overpowering, a smoke bomb or very subtle, depending on the brand. The cheap mezcal that made its way to the U.S. years ago gained a reputation for tasting like gasoline or diesel fuel.

How do you serve mezcal?

Sip it neat

“The best way to drink mezcal will always be clean, in small sips similar to small kisses, always accompanied by a little water to cleanse the palate and hydrate,” Medina says. “In this way you can appreciate the different flavors and aromas of mezcal.”


A Brief History of Mezcal
A Brief History of Mezcal


How Long Does Mezcal Last, Opened And Unopened?

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How Long Does Mezcal Last, Opened And Unopened?
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Does Mezcal Go Bad? | Mezcal Reviews blog

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The Mezcal Aging Experiment

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How Long Is Mezcal Good For After Opening? – BlackTailNYC.com

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  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How Long Is Mezcal Good For After Opening? – BlackTailNYC.com Updating When stored properly, a bottle of mezcal has a limitless shelf life, even after being opened – this is not an issue of safety, but one of quality.
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Do You Have To Refrigerate Mezcal After Opening

How Long Can You Age Mezcal

How Long Can You Keep Tequila After Opening

Can Mezcal Be Corked

Do You Refrigerate Opened Tequila

Does Mezcal Age In The Bottle

Does Mezcal Ever Go Bad

Should Mezcal Be Aged

How Long Can You Age Tequila

Is Mezcal Stronger Than Tequila

Does Tequila Go Bad Once Opened

Is It Ok To Drink Old Tequila

How Long Can You Leave Tequila In The Fridge For

Can Tequila Get Corked

Why Does Mezcal Taste Bad

Does Mezcal Have A Worm

Watch How Long Is Mezcal Good For After Opening Video

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aging mezcal — Spirits — The Three Drinkers

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Does Tequila Go Bad? Shelf Life and Fermentation Process | Mezcal Rosaluna: Mezcal is Magic

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Mezcal vs Tequila Which Lasts Longer

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Does Mezcal Go Bad? | Mezcal Reviews blog

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how long does an open bottle of mezcal last

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How long is mezcal good for after opening

How can you tell if mezcal is bad

Do you have to refrigerate mezcal after opening

Does mezcal improve with age

Does mezcal have a worm

Is mezcal good to sip

How do you know if mezcal is good

Is mezcal aged in barrels

Can I eat the worm in mezcal

What’s the best way to drink mezcal

How is mezcal different than tequila

How should mezcal be served

Does mezcal make you hallucinate

What is the most popular brand of mezcal

How long is mezcal aged

Why is there a scorpion in mezcal

What tequila has a scorpion in it

Does the worm in tequila make you hallucinate

Is mezcal stronger than tequila

Does mezcal keep you awake

How much is a bottle of mezcal in Mexico

What is the best mezcal in the world

What is a good mezcal brand

Can I bring mezcal to the US

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Is it safe to drink old mezcal? – Eating Expired

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Can I drink 10 year old tequila

How long can you age mezcal

How can you tell if mezcal is good

Does mezcal ever go bad

Does mezcal improve with age

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Can old tequila make you sick

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How long can you keep mezcal

Can you drink 10 year old tequila

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How Long Does Mezcal Last, Opened And Unopened?

Tips

How long does mezcal last? The answer to that question is a matter of quality, not safety, assuming proper storage conditions – when properly stored, a bottle of mezcal has an indefinite shelf life, even after it has been opened.

To maximize the shelf life of mezcal for quality purposes, store in a cool dry area away from direct heat or sunlight; keep tightly closed when not in use.

Once a bottle of mezcal is opened, the contents may begin to evaporate slowly and some flavor may be lost over time, but the mezcal will remain safe to consume if it has been stored properly.

How to tell if mezcal has gone bad? The shelf life of mezcal is indefinite, but if mezcal develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, it should be discarded for quality purposes.

Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here

Does Tequila Go Bad? Shelf Life and Fermentation Process

Ever gazed into your liquor cabinet and thought, “I’m really feeling like a margarita, but this tequila is from ages ago.” We’ve all been there. You shove a bottle in the back and then pull it out months later while entertaining, crossing your fingers that it still tastes right. So, the real question is, does tequila really go bad like your milk or orange juice?

For all of us who like to entertain, that’s the million dollar question. So let’s dive in together and find out.

The Short Answer: Yes and No

We know that doesn’t clear things up right away, but it’s true. The answer is complicated.

Let’s say a friend with impeccable taste gifted you a bottle of premium Mezcal Rosaluna a few weeks ago. It’s sitting on your kitchen counter, glittering under the lights, just waiting to be opened. You’re new to this magical Mezcal thing, and there’s a special occasion coming up you want to save it for. But will it still be safe to drink next month?

Here’s the good news—Mezcal and tequila never really expire if they’re unopened. That’s right; you can admire that beautiful bottle for months or years to come. If you have that kind of self-control, major props to you! Mezcal is a distilled spirit that doesn’t age in the bottle like a wine does.

Wine is high in sugar, which allows the fermentation process to march on inside the bottle. This is because sugar acts as a source of energy that fuels the chemical reactions involved with aging. Mezcal is low in sugar and richer in alcohol content, effectively crashing the fermentation party.

If you ask us, the long-lasting shelf life is yet another reason to keep the stuff stocked in our pantry. You never know when you might need to bust out a bottle to celebrate a friend’s promotion or enjoy it on a casual night out on the patio. Ugh, is it 5 o’clock yet?

Sometimes You Gotta Let It Go

They say that all good things must come to an end, and this is true for an opened bottle of Mezcal or tequila. Not to worry though, we have plenty of the new stuff in stock here at Mezcal Rosaluna. We know you want to enjoy that bottle for as long as possible, savoring the aromas and distinctive flavors, but sometimes you just have to let it go, babe.

Once a bottle of Mezcal is opened, it goes south after about a year. One year is still a pretty long time, if you think about it compared with another hugely popular staple in everyone’s cabinets—coffee. Unopened, a sealed bag of coffee grounds can last a measly 3-5 months in the pantry compared to the mighty Mezcal. Granted, most people do go through coffee more quickly. Emphasis on most people… not us.

Even if you’re not finishing bottles left and right like we are, it’s great to know that you can enjoy your Mezcal year round. Sip itto help you relax in the summer and then pull it back out to help you keep warm in the winter. Just be sure to follow our guide below for how to tell if your Mezcal has gone past its prime.

Use Your Eyes, Nose, and Mouth

Mezcal that’s been open for longer than a year will rarely make you sick, and if it does, the worst it will do is make you reach for some Tums. The real tragedy is the decline in flavor, smell, and appearance. Want to know when a bottle is past its prime? We’ve got you covered.

The first tip: have some freshly opened Mezcal on hand for comparison. That way, you can cross-examine flavors and aromas with the same level of precision that your favorite crime show detective might use. The old Mezcal will have a slightly altered taste, and it will lack the same intensity of flavor. It will lack a certain crispness, and you just won’t be vibing with the taste as much. The color might be a little off as well, so be sure to look out for that.

Mezcal vs Tequila: Which Lasts Longer?

Let’s talk aficionado for a sec. All tequila is technically Mezcal, but the opposite of that is not true. This might remind you of the whole “a square is a rectangle, but a rectangle is not a square” talk from school. Don’t worry, though; we’re talking Mezcal, not math.

Mezcal contains 100% agave, while tequila must contain at least 49%. However, since the alcohol content of Mezcal and tequila is usually in the same range of 38% to 55% ABV, the shelf life of the two is roughly the same. Mezcal and tequila will stay deliciously enjoyable for years to come if unopened. Once opened, they both should be enjoyed within the span of a year.

Science Is Sexy

Ok, hope you’re ready to get into the nitty-gritty details of the Mezcal making process. It’s one of the first steps to becoming a true Mezcal connoisseur. The main difference between Mezcal and tequila is how the agave plant is distilled. Tequila, made specifically from blue agave, is steamed inside industrial ovens, whereas Mezcal is made more traditionally.

Here at Mezcal Rosaluna, the process starts with harvesting the agave and removing its leaves. Then, the agave heart is cooked down in earthen pits on a bed of pine wood logs. The pile is covered with stones and left to do its thing for up to five days.

Next is the milling process, where the entire plant is crushed up to bring out the juices before fermenting. The extracted sugary juice is added to more pine wood along with water and agave fibers to become alcohol in a matter of eight days. Lastly, the alcohol-water mixture is distilled (twice!) to separate the water from the alcohol, and voila! This magical potion is bottled and sitting on your bar cart before you know it.

The unique fermenting process gives Mezcal its slightly smokey, unforgettable flavor that’s bound to leave you craving more. We recommend that you spice up your cocktail hour with a new twist on an old classic by making The New Fashioned with Mezcal Rosaluna.

That’s a Wrap

The process of making an incredible Mezcal is not something we take lightly. We take pride in making every batch and refuse to compromise any step. There’s magic in every bottle and enjoyment with every sip. There’s a smooth finish after every taste and a spirit you can’t replace. That’s why we don’t think you’ll have any issue finishing your bottle within a year. 🙂

Sources:

Question: How Long Does Unopened Tequila Last? | BigMoonshine

Why does wine mature in the bottle but whisky does not? | Malted

Does Coffee Go Bad? Shelf Life of Coffee and Tips to Keep Your Java Fresh | Street Smart Kitchen

Is Mezcal Stronger than Tequila? | Travel Distilled

What’s the Difference Between Tequila and Mezcal? | Food & Wine

Does Mezcal Go Bad?

Does mezcal go bad? Or more specifically, does mezcal in an opened bottle eventually go bad? We’ve seen several threads on Facebook, Reddit, and elsewhere over the years that have asked this question. Some have posited that oxygen or oxidization would have a negative impact on the spirits over time. Others have referred to results of scotch or whiskeys changing drastically if not consumed within a reasonable amount of time after opening. Opinions on the subject tend to vary greatly, but there seem to be three main positions that people take:

Mezcal left in a bottle that has been opened will stay the same or actually improve Mezcal left in a bottle that has been opened will improve to a certain point, but then go bad if there is too little mezcal left in the bottle Mezcal left in a bottle that has been opened will eventually go bad

Our friend Mezcal PhD tells us that mezcal will likely improve over time. He says;

“If you open your bottles once a year or so and let new air in (assuming you did not drink it all), the mezcal will improve over time. Acetaldehyde is present in a distilled mezcal. When exposed to air, this oxidizes to acetic acid, which is ester. We love esters in spirits because they are associated with positive smells and flavors like banana, pineapple, and sugar. By letting fresh air in every year or so, you are re-energizing the process.”

According to him, there’s some sound science to the fact that mezcal would change over time, but we wanted some experiential evidence that it would indeed change for the better.

We also asked co-founder of Mezcal Vago, Judah Kuper, the same question last year. His answer was similar to Mezcal PhD in that he believed that mezcal improved after the bottle was opened. His theory was that mezcal would continue to improve until the bottle would get down to about 25% full, at which time he suggested that you should just drink the remaining mezcal because it would start to drastically change (presumably for the worse). This belief seems to be held by many in the industry, and we’ve spoken to several users of this website who prefer to re-bottle their mezcal to a smaller glass bottle (like a dram or something similar) once the original bottle gets below that 25% threshold. This seems to vary pretty widely, but many have a tradition or practice for dealing with low bottles.

Still other members of this website have written to us about noticing significant differences in older opened bottles, which they’ve posited was due to oxidation and/or evaporation. Does oxidation or evaporation make them worse or just different? Generally, we’ve found that older bottles tend to mellow and get better over time. But is this true for bottles that are less than 25% full? We pulled a few lower ABV mezcals off the shelf earlier this year. They’d each been open for over a year with about 25% of the bottle left. Unfortunately, they didn’t taste very good, but maybe they weren’t really all that enjoyable to begin with?

Aged-in-Glass

While questions about the aging of mezcal in opened bottles is an active debate, the community seems decided on the aging of mezcal in closed (never-opened) bottles and/or in larger glass demijans. For those unfamiliar with the Aged-in-Glass or Madurado style, this refers to the aging of mezcal in glass after it is distilled. Some releases will be aged in glass for upwards of two or three years before being bottled for sales and general consumption. You’ll often see special prized batches of mezcal aging in glass at palenques around Oaxaca.

Aging in wooden barrels, which is done widely for whiskey and tequila, is less common in Mezcal. Barrel aging typically removes the more vegetal notes of the agave and replaces them with notes of the wood, like caramel, brown sugar, or vanilla. Aging in glass, however, imparts no new flavors. While the flavor of the mezcal does indeed change as it ages, the aging in glass tends to enhance what is already present, making the mezcal more balanced, integrated, and settled. The growing popularity of mezcal that is aged-in-glass clearly emphasizes the importance of time on how distilled agave can settle and build structure long after it has left the still. So we know that time can play an integral role in improving mezcal, but what about other elements, like the amount of air in the bottle and the oxygenation and/or evaporation process that occurs when there’s very little mezcal left in the bottle?

The Mezcal Aging Experiment

Rather than pontificate, we decided to do some hard core research. On March 19, 2019 we selected four of our favorite bottles. They had all been open for a little over a year and all the bottles had just over 25% left. We poured the four bottles of mezcal into smaller air tight 250ml glass containers. In the original bottles, we left about 2-3oz of mezcal to interact with the air left in the bottle. Our theory was that the air in the original bottle would have some impact on the aromas, flavor, and complexity of the mezcal over time. Would this impact be good or bad? We weren’t sure.

So on October 18, 2019 (seven months later), we performed a blind tasting, where we compared the original bottle with excess-air with the no-air re-bottled mezcal.

The Tasting Line Up

Mezcal Mezcalero Town ABV% Production Date Mezcalero No. 14 Don Jesus Rios Sola de Vega, Oax 47.7% October 2014 Vago Elote Aquilino Garcia Candelaria Yegole, Oax 50.7% May 2017 Rey Campero Tepextate Romulo Sanchez Parada Candelaria Yegole, Oax 49% December 2015 El Jolgorio Barril Ignacio Parada Santa Maria Zoquitlan, Oax 48.2% 2014

Mezcalero No. 14

> No-air (preferred)

“Soft sweet clay. Sour on the back end. Hints of white grape juice.” — Tyler “Aromas of peanut butter cups, woody, leather.” — Chris “Aromas of cinnamon, all spice, sandalwood, and vanilla. Flavors of cinnamon, sand, and slate.” — Jonny

> Excess-air

“Notes of clay. Robust. No sour finish. More notes of dates and hickory.” — Tyler “Less pungent on the nose. Slightly muted flavor notes but mostly the same.” — Chris “Muted aromas. Much softer and bit lighter on the palate. Similar tasting notes but less pronounced. More mellow but less exciting.” — Jonny

Overall, the Mezcalero No. 14 had slight differences from the different aging. We noticed this more on the nose than on the palate, with more of the aromas in the No-air mezcal being more pronounced and bold. We all preferred the No-air mezcal as it was a bit bolder and held a strong punch with it’s various notes and characteristics.

Vago Elote

> No-air

“Notes of white pepper, salt, corn nuts. Strong finish.” — Tyler “Nose has notes of maple syrup and pancakes. Strong tastes of alcohol.” — Chris “Strong aromas of corn, a bit of nail polish, coffee, and maple pecan. Tastes of grilled elote. Very sweet. A bit of nail polish on the palate as well.” — Jonny

> Excess-air (preferred)

“Strong notes and aromas. Very little difference between the two.” — Tyler “Similar notes on the nose but more like cornmeal than pancakes. More mellow.” — Chris “Still strong aromas. Very similar, but more mellow and balanced.” — Jonny

Overall, the Vago Elote showed slight differences between the two aged mezcals, but we all agreed that we preferred the Excess-air mezcal. It was much more mellow and all of the nail polish/alcohol notes had vanished over time, making this an incredibly rounded and balanced Elote.

Rey Campero Tepextate

> No-air

“Candied peppers, Dr. Pepper, and Jelly Beans. Short finish.” — Tyler “Lavender flavors, a bit of alcohol present. Short finish. ” — Chris “Strong notes of green pepper, coffee, jalapeno, lavender, and mint. The palate is like a basket full of fresh peppers. Stronger aromas on this one, but very short finish.” — Jonny

> Excess-air (preferred)

“Cinnamon, cotton candy, lingering pepper jerky finish.” — Tyler “More mellow nose and aromas. Notes of chocolate, rose pedals. Long finish.” — Chris “Lighter nose and more creamy notes and vanilla on the palate. Much softer and more delicate than the first.” — Jonny

Overall, the Rey Campero Tepextate was our favorite from the evening. While that has nothing to do with aging, it’s worth noting that this stuff remained stellar. We all agreed that the finish on the Excess-air mezcal was much longer and more pronounced. The finish on this actually extended and was enhanced by the presence of the air in the bottle. Like the Elote, the Excess-air mezcal was our favorite for the Rey Campero Tepextate.

El Jolgorio Barril

> No-air

“A bit funky with some burnt notes on the back of the palate.” — Tyler “Notes of ash and firewood on the nose and palate.” — Chris “Alcohol on the nose. Palate has beets and root vegetables with a bit of cigarette ash.” — Jonny

> Excess-air (preferred)

“Very similar but more mellow with fewer of the burnt notes present.” — Tyler “Almost identical nose and palate but a bit more blended in flavor.” — Chris “Softer nose. Softer palate. More balanced and mellow.” — Jonny

Overall, the El Jolgorio Barril showed slight differences between the two different aged mezcals. Like the Vago Elote and the Rey Campero Tepextate, we all found that the Excess-air was our preferred option among the two.

Conclusion

We weren’t sure what to expect from this tasting, but we’d hypothesized that the air in the bottle would indeed have some impact on the mezcal after seven months. In the end, we found that our hypothesis was correct. Generally speaking, the Excess-air mezcals were all much more mellow and balanced than those that had been resting in a bottle with little/no air. Of the four mezcals included in this tasting, we preferred the Excess-air mezcal for three of them.

While this is encouraging news for people (like us) who have dozens of bottles open at any given time, it’s intriguing that the Mezcalero No. 14, which is an incredible mezcal, was the only bottle that we preferred with little/no air. It was the only mezcal in the group that was distilled in clay. It also had marginally lower ABV than the others. Could one of these factors have made the difference? That’s a question for a future tasting.

For now, it seems safe to say that your mezcal will not go bad from having too much air in the bottle. In fact, as Mezcal PhD had posted, the air appears to help your mezcal become subjectively more enjoyable over time. What’s your ritual for keeping mezcal after the bottle is opened (assuming you don’t just drink it)? Have you noticed differences in bottles that have been open for extended periods of time? Are your mezcals getting better as they age?

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