Over the past decade, mezcal has exploded in popularity outside of Mexico, especially in the United States. But what is it about this smoky, complex Mexican spirit that has gringos lining up to try it?

Mezcal production has surged from roughly 1,000,000 liters in 2010 to over 11,000,000 liters in recent years, with about 75% of exports going to the United States (AP News). The U.S. market alone is now worth hundreds of millions of dollars and continues to grow, driven by demand for premium and truly artisanal mezcal. So yes, gringos love mezcal.

It’s not just joven, blanco, or unaged mezcal leading the charge. Barrel aged mezcal is also helping introduce the category to new consumers. Whiskey, bourbon, tequila reposados, tequila añejos, and other barrel aged spirits have long been popular among white Americans. However, mezcal that is not barrel aged offers an experience that is difficult to describe.

As Jonathan Lockwood, a fellow gringo mezcal enthusiast and founder of Mezcal Maniac, put it, “It seemed I was being initiated into the coolest thing I’d ever found. I was knocked out by the earthy, complex flavors balanced with just a bit of natural sweetness.” That early love for unaged mezcal makes sense, but aged mezcal can feel like an easier next step since many of those drinkers come from a whiskey background where aged spirits are more familiar.

Americans who drink whiskey skew heavily white. Studies show that white consumers make up roughly 73% to 78% of bourbon drinkers in the United States, reinforcing that the core audience for barrel aged spirits is predominantly Caucasian (VinePair).

Mezcal purists often renounce barrel aged mezcal, arguing that it removes the essence, purpose, and flavor of the agave. While there is truth to that perspective, barrel aged mezcal can serve as an effective introduction for white consumers and others who are new to the category. It offers a more gradual transition rather than throwing someone into a completely unfamiliar experience.

Barrel aged expressions introduce flavors that many consumers already understand. Vanilla, caramel, and oak are common notes found in bourbon and whiskey, making barrel aged mezcal more approachable. This is reflected in consumer behavior.

Aged mezcal continues to grow in popularity, especially among first time buyers looking for something familiar. That overlap is not accidental. It’s one of the clearest reasons mezcal has gained acceptance over the years.

Ideally, some of these consumers will eventually transition to drinking joven mezcal after their first few bottles of barrel aged expressions. We aren’t saying that joven mezcal is for everyone, but barrel aged mezcal may be a good place to start.

If you’re not sure where to start with barrel aged mezcal, here are 2 brands that we recommend. They offer both aged and joven mezcal, so you can start with familiar flavors and gradually transition over to joven mezcal.

Desolas mezcal

Beyond taste, mezcal has become a status symbol, and each bottle tells a story. Where the agave was grown, who made it, and how it was distilled all play a role. For many collectors, that narrative is just as important as the liquid itself.

Desolas mezcal offers rare, collectible, and flavorful barrel aged mezcal.

Desolas offers joven, reposado, and añejo expressions. Instead of using espadín, the most common agave for producing mezcal, they use salmiana. They also produce outside the state of Oaxaca, in San Luis Potosí, offering a different regional profile.

Their joven is priced at an accessible $54.99, while their rare 31-month barrel aged release, limited to 203 bottles, is priced at $199.99.

Benesin Mezcal

Benesin offers an approachable range of barrel-aged mezcal alongside its joven expressions. Crafted in small batches in the mountain village of San Juan del Río, Oaxaca, Benesin reflects generations of indigenous farmers who have cultivated and harvested agave with deep tradition.

Like Desolas, Benesin offers reposado and añejo expressions with familiar notes that whiskey enthusiasts will recognize. Benesin’s pricing is more accessible, making it less collectible but a great daily sipper and entry point, with reposado and añejo bottles averaging around $80 depending on the retailer.

We’re not saying that the recent boom in mezcal sales is solely driven by white US consumers who enjoy barrel aged mezcal. However, it would be a mistake for mezcal brands to ignore the opportunity to attract new audiences through barrel aged expressions.

Older consumers tend to stick with what they know. Gen X and Baby Boomers tend to stick with brands and drinks they know, they’re less likely to try something new compared to younger drinkers (eMarketer). Barrel-aged mezcal can feel familiar enough to draw them in, creating a natural entry point that may eventually lead them to explore unaged expressions.

So the next time you see a gringo at a bar, ask what they’re sipping on. That clear pour might be mezcal, and that aged spirit might just be barrel aged mezcal.