Where to Taste Mezcal at Its Origin in Oaxaca

"The best way to dive into mezcal is to sip pours side-by-side like a wine tasting. Mezcaloteca, an appointment-only tasting bar, provides an intimate seated experience for comparing small and limited production mezcals you’ll never find outside of Mexico. Whether you want to compare varieties (think Pinot Noir versus Grenache), different production methods (ancestral versus copper), or different regions (Oaxaca versus Michoacan, you’ll get around 90 minutes to do it. The knowledgeable, English-speaking staff guides you through the differences after letting you kiss each spirit three times before jotting down impressions and tasting notes." - Lauren Mowery