Mezcal Reposado "Special Edition Carribean Rum Cask Finished" Ilegal, 750mL

Many of us are haunted by that one alcohol we had a terrible evening with years back. For me, it's tequila. I do enjoy a Margarita, but beyond that, I can't stomach the agave liquor. But then I found mezcal, an agave spirit with a signature smokey flavor. It's the perfect blend of the oak and smoke flavors I enjoy in peated whiskeys, with a lighter backbone and no malt.

Ilegal Reposado has been barrel-aged for 6 months in ex-whiskey casks, so it retains some of those caramel and vanilla notes prominent in bourbon. The smoke hits directly on the nose and lingers pleasantly at the finish. If you want more smoke and less of the whiskey notes, spring for the Joven; if you want to lean into those caramel and spicier wood notes, then go for the Añejo.

Ilegal Mezcal—notably the Reposado—was my gateway into the category. It's widely available, and the smokiness is less prominent than that of other mezcals. I also like it for cocktails, as the smoke does not overpower the rest of the drink. So when considering a spirit to feature for National Margarita Day (February 22, really day if you believe in yourself), Ilegal was the perfect choice: accessible to everyone, both in ability to purchase and approachability of flavor.