Mezcal Campante

As someone with over 40 years of experience in the wine, spirit and beverage industry, I have had the pleasure over the years of traveling around the world of encountering many unique and exceptional great destinations, food and beverages. Recently, I had the opportunity to try Mezcal Campante, a small-batch, and Denomination of Origin Protected (“DOP”) mezcal that left a lasting impression on me. It is no surprise that this mezcal has been racking up awards, as it truly is a standout product.

Mezcal Campante has a distinct philosophy of encouraging people to savor the present moment and “love hard and sip slow.” This is evident in every aspect of the brand and its business, from the name itself to the smooth, easy-to-drink mezcal that it produces. The word “campante,” translated from Spanish to a concept rather than a single word, speaks to being calm, focused on the present moment, and unaffected by the noise of the surrounding world. This ethos is evident in the company’s dedication to preserving the culture and tradition of producing mezcal, as well as its commitment to a partnership founded on equality and friendship.

Mezcal Campante’s owners, Shirley Leigh-Wood Oakes, Luca Longobardi, and José Luis Bustamante, have successfully brought to market a mezcal that is perfect whether served straight up, on the rocks, or in a cocktail. They achieved this by utilizing a tradition that is almost as old as the country of Mexico, using Espadín and semi-wild Barril varieties of 100% Maguey agave, harvested at peak perfection, and cooking them in an above-ground stone oven for days until caramelization occurs. The resulting liquid is infused with the sweet aroma and rich flavor signatures that define Mezcal Campante.

I appreciate the dedication and care that goes into producing this mezcal. It is clear that Mezcal Campante cannot be mass-produced, as the magic is in every drop and every moment.This attention to detail has earned the company numerous accolades, including gold awards from the 2022 San Diego Spirits Festival and 2022 LA Spirits Awards, as well as a 95-point rating from the 2022 Chilled 100 Spirits Awards. Overall, Mezcal Campante is a mezcal like no other. It is utterly compelling and perfectly balanced. As a contributing senior writer for Inbound Destinations.Com that is featured in Private Air Magazine, I am always on the lookout for unique destinations, new foods, wine, and spirits to explore.

Mezcal Campante is a standout product that I highly recommend to anyone who appreciates exceptional and carefully crafted spirits.