Reviews / El Tigre Papalote - Don Lazaro
Review ·
El Tigre Papalote - Don Lazaro
Don Lázaro's papalote at 47-52% – El Tigre's reference release, and a reference papalote for the category
Score: 4.5/5 agaves
- Producer: El Tigre Mezcal
- Maestro: Lazaro Nava Bautista
- Region: Atempa, Guerrero
- Agave: Papalote
- ABV: 47%
- Price: $150 ($$$$)
Verdict
Don Lázaro's intent shows through throughout, aromatics don't overreach, mineral mid-palate doesn't tip into austerity, proof is calibrated to Guerrero papalote's specific density. Buy it alongside the other El Tigre one-palenque bottles for the Guerrero papalote study flight; the project is one of the strongest single-maestro arguments in the US mezcal market.
El Tigre's papalote range is among the category's strongest
Tasting notes
Nose: Wildflower with dry herb, mineral damp, a faint floral lift and dried-lavender underneath
Palate: Aromatic and textured at 47-52%. El Tigre's project is one-palenque papalote from Guerrero, and Don Lázaro's batches are the caliber the rest of the range compares against
Finish: Unending. Drying, cooling, floral, with a slow river rock fade
The bottom line
The reference papalote, priced accordingly
Price check: $150 (2026-07-29).