The Mezcal flavor wheel

The flavors of agave spirits are as diverse and wide ranging as the plants, landscapes, techniques and cultures that produce them. This wheel is meant to help you place the flavors and scents in your glass, or when trying to find the common thread between several destilados produced from the same species of agave or in the same town.

Everyone’s palate is different and there are no wrong answers except for “smooth.”Smooth is a grammy award-winning 1999 hit by Santana feat. Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty off the multi-platinum album Supernatural, but it’s not a tasting note.

1. Fruity

Dried:

Raisin, Cranberry, Date, Prune, Fig

Tropical:

Papaya, Guava, Mango, Banana, Pineapple, Kiwi, Passion Fruit, Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Bubblegum

Tree Fruit:

Pear, Peach, Plum, Apricot, Cherry, Red Apple, Green Apple

Berries:

Grape, Pomegranate, Strawberry, Blackberry, Raspberry

Citrus:

Lemon, Lemon Oil, Orange, Citrus Pith, Mandarin, Kafir Lime Leaf, Grapefruit

Artificial:

Grape Soda, Fruity Pebbles, Fruit Rollup, Hawaiian Punch

2. Chemical / Mineral

Petrol:

Rubber Ducky, New Sneakers, Postage Stamp, Bicycle Tire, Burnt Rubber, Shoe Polish, Cocaine, Kerosene, Diesel, Road Tar

Pungent:

Bug Spray, Vinegar, Bile, Cat Piss, Nail Polish Remover, Rubbing Alcohol, Gauzy, Soapy, Coal Smoke

Sulphur:

Burnt Match, Exploded Fireworks, Boiled Cabbage, Natural Gas, Allium

Paper:

Cardboard, Wet Newspaper, Rotting Wood, Pencil Eraser

Mineral:

Chalk, #2 Pencil, Slate, Copper, Iron, Iodine, Flint, Lanolin

Ready to put these flavors into practice? Read our 10-step guide on how to taste mezcal like an expert.

3. Floral

Fragrant:

Lavender, Perfume, Carnations, Rose Petals, Violets, Elderflower, Fabric Softener, Orange Flower Water, Honeysuckle, Rose Water, Jasmine, Clover, Hibiscus, Greenhouse

4. Green

Leafy:

Green Leaves, Fresh Cut Grass, Douglas Fir, Pine Needles, Brown Leaves

Hay:

Barnyard, Mulch, Hay Bales, Raw Potato, Tobacco, Coffee, Tea

Fresh:

Pea Shoots, Oregano, Avocado Leaf, Eucalyptus, Agave, Mint, Basil, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Parsley, Green Pepper, Lemongrass, Celery Leaf

Cooked:

Jalapeño, Pandan, Bell Pepper, Rosemary, Cilantro, Rhubarb, Thyme, Sage, Green Beans, Asparagus, Green Olives, Black Olives, Artichoke, Parsnip

5. Earthy

Funky / Moldy:

Pulque, Sauerkraut, Buttermilk, Yogurt, Parmesan Cheese, Gym Shoes, Bleu Cheese, Musty Cellar, Mushroom, Peat

Fishy:

Anchovies, Kombu, Dried Fish, Smoked Oyster, Sea Shells

Smokey:

Beef Jerky, Barbecue Sauce, Chipotle, Soy Sauce, Burnt Toast, Bacon, Gravy, Bonfire

Earthy:

Wet Gravel, Attic Dust, Clay Pot, Rawhide, Leather, Green Coffee, Boating Rope, Top Soil, Bog

6. Grainy & Woody

Milled Grains:

Baguette, Sourdough, Bran Muffin, Oats, Oatmeal, Grits, Sweet Corn, Mashed Potatoes, Pancakes, Oyster Crackers, Malted Milk

Nuts:

Coconut, Pecan, Marzipan, Almond, Hazelnut, Walnut

Lumber:

Sandalwood, Pine Resin, Hickory, Cedar, Cherrywood

7. Sweet

Sugar:

Demerara, Pressed Cane, Roasted Agave, Brown Sugar, Molasses, Maple Syrup, Honey, Beeswax

Caramel:

Salt Water Taffy, Werther's Original, Dark Chocolate, Crème Brûlée, Custard, Rice Pudding, Butterfinger, Milk Chocolate, Caramel, Butter Cookie

Spice:

Anise, Cinnamon, Turmeric, Ginger, Nutmeg, Clove, Allspice, Fennel, Peppercorns

Cooked:

Grape Preserves, Fruit Compote, Fruit Leather, Strawberry Jam, Marmalade, Brandied Cherry, Candied Orange