Smoke signals..

I’ve decided to go a little off-piste today. Partly in honour of the Winter Olympics, which I appear to now be obsessed with, and partly because I was shamefully well-behaved last week and didn’t make the usual hospitality rounds. Sad.

So instead of wine, today we’re talking mezcal.

If you only know mezcal as tequila’s smokier sibling, the same tequila you immediately regretted ordering as a shot, this is your gentle reminder that it (and you) deserve better.

Often called the grandfather of tequila, this 3,000-year-old Mexican spirit is made by roasting the heart of the agave plant in underground, wood-fired pits. This pit‑roasting (rather than the steaming used for most tequila) caramelises sugars and infuses the agave with distinctive charred, earthy, bonfire notes that carry through into the final spirit. Now tell me that doesn’t sound delicious?!

Fun fact: all tequila is mezcal, but not all mezcal is tequila — tequila can only come from one type of agave (blue), mezcal gets dozens. There are thirty-plus varieties, mostly from Oaxaca, each with its own personality, mood, and slight unpredictability. Very wine-coded behaviour if you ask me.

Forget what you think you know. Because crucially (and I cannot stress this enough), mezcal is perfect for sipping. Slowly. Thoughtfully. Like you mean it.

[Mezcal margaritas, of course, are exempt — do glug enthusiastically.]

A few personal favourites I keep coming back to, and highly recommend:

Madre Mezcal — genuinely delicious, but also one of the coolest brands around. I would be lying if I said I didn’t own merch. Everything about it feels considered, from the liquid to the label. It’s also a great “gateway” mezcal if you’re new to the party. I particularly love the ‘Espadin’ (black label).

Los Siete Misterios — expensive, yes. Worth it. ‘Tobala’ is my favourite: a tiny, wild agave from the remote Oaxacan mountains, impossible to harvest in volume (so you can girl-math justify the price to yourself). Its got a smoky chipotle mixed with tropical fruit thing going. It’s amazing.

Ilegal — a cult fave. The ‘Joven’ is my reliable bar order — it makes the perfect mezcal, soda, lime. Clean, balanced, unfussy. A staple.

Off-piste. But on brand.

Enjoy (and report back)! 🔥🔥