The International Wines & Spirit Competition (IWSC) crowned its 2025 Tequila and Mezcal champions. These spirits, from Jalisco to the heart of Oaxaca, celebrate bold tradition, innovation, and complexity. Below is a brief background, along with my personal tasting notes and the IWSC’s evaluations on the two winners.
Tequila and mezcal have transcended their roles as simple party spirits—today, they’re among the world’s most nuanced and respected craft distillates. Nowhere is that transformation more visible than at the IWSC, where tradition, terroir, and technique converge on a global stage.
Founded in London in 1969, the IWSC is renowned for its rigorous blind tastings and expert judging panels, which annually evaluate thousands of entries across all major spirits categories. The most coveted recognition, the Spirit Trophy, is awarded to the top-scoring expression in each category. That honor is reserved for spirits that demonstrate not only technical excellence but also innovation, complexity, and character.
In 2025, the IWSC awarded its highest honors in the Tequila and Mezcal categories to two standout expressions that embody the soul of Mexican craftsmanship. From the earthy depths of a mole-infused ancestral mezcal to the floral vibrancy of a highland Blanco Tequila, these winners showcase the incredible range and artistry of agave spirits.
Espiritu Montaraz Ancestral Pechuga Mole Mezcal 47% ABV, 750 ml. $130
The Espiritu Montaraz was awarded the 2025 IWSC Mezcal Trophy, scoring 98 points.
The mezcal is crafted using ancestral methods. This production protocol specifies cooking the pinas in stone-lined pits, manual grinding with a tahona stone or crushing with wooden mallets, natural open-air fermentation, and wood-fired fire-heated clay stills. These traditional practices impart profound depth and terroir.
This mezcal also features a “pechuga de mole”. During the second distillation, the ingredients of Mole Poblano, cacao, roasted chilies, and assorted spices are introduced into the still, allowing the spirit vapors to pass through those ingredients, infusing the mezcal with a rich, layered complexity.
The mezcal is extremely fragrant, featuring powerful aromas of dark, roasted cacao, spice notes of clove and cinnamon, underpinned by the smoky richness of roasted chilies along with delicate notes of fruit and subtle woody/herbal tones.
The mezcal is rich and robust on the palate, showcasing flavors of dark chocolate, roasted spices, and a gentle, sweet chili heat reminiscent of mole. The balanced fruitiness and mild acidity cut through the richness, while a creamy, buttery mouthfeel provides richness and a mouth-coating texture.
The finish is long, velvety, and slightly smoky with lingering notes of cacao, toasted nuts, and spices.
The IWSC Judging Panel described the mezcal as featuring aromas that “burst with herbaceous and meaty spices, with pepper, licorice, mint, clove, and allspice. The harmonious palate blends hot herbaceous spice with some sake-like notes and a delightful umami richness. Stunning.”
Tanteo Blanco Tequila, 42.5% ABV, 750 ml. $42
The Tanteo Blanco was awarded the 2025 Tequila Trophy, scoring 98 points.
The Tequila is distilled from 100% Blue Weber agave grown in the fertile Cienega region of Jalisco. This region, situated to the southeast of Lake Chapala, bordering the state of Michoacán, is characterized by fertile plains and rugged highlands. It’s known for producing agave with higher sugar levels and particularly intense flavors.
The agaves are slow-roasted in traditional brick ovens. The higher sugar levels produce caramelized levels that yield a rich and layered spirit. It’s subsequently distilled in small batches and bottled at a slightly higher proof, 42.5% ABV, giving it added vibrancy and bringing out more intense flavors.
The Tequila is floral and aromatic, featuring aromas of cooked and fresh agave, enhanced by a subtle floral sweetness and tropical fruit notes, especially banana, guava, and pineapple.
It’s rich and silky on the palate, with a notable sweetness followed by notes of black pepper, mineral notes, and a herbaceous touch of vegetal freshness. It’s well balanced between cooked agave richness and bright spice. The finish is long and smooth, with well-integrated alcohol and lingering notes of tropical fruits and cooked agave.
The IWSC Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring a “vibrant aroma profile featuring agave, white pepper, leather, and fresh grass. The palate bursts with rich, agave-forward flavors, revealing curious floral nuances of geranium and sweet spices. The finish of citrus and herbs is both warm and lasting.”
The 2025 IWSC Tequila and Mezcal Trophy winners reflect the soul and evolution of Mexico’s iconic spirits. Espiritu Montaraz Pechuga Mole Mezcal is a bold, richly layered homage to ancestral production and Mexico’s Mole culinary heritage—smoky, spiced, and opulent. It invites slow sipping, reflective moments, and luxurious pairings.
Meanwhile, Tanteo Blanco Tequila captures the essence of modern Tequila. It’s bright, pure, and brimming with agave character. It’s a versatile standout that shines equally in a cocktail or neat in a crystal glass.
These two spirits, a Tequila and a mezcal, prove that world-class agave expression is not just alive; it’s thriving, rooted in heritage, and redefining excellence one trophy at a time.