The spirit less ordinary, Zacal has been crowned Best Mezcal at prestigious International Spirits Challenge (ISC) 2025, taking home the highest accolade of Trophy at the one of the world’s most respected blind tasting competition.
Zacal’s Ensamble expression was named the standout mezcal of the year, rising above thousands of global entries. The brand’s Manso Sahuayo also secured a coveted Double Gold, cementing the artisanal Zacal’s reputation as one of the most awarded new independent spirits brands in the UK.
The judges praised the artisanal mezcal’s “bold notes of wild herbs, fresh chilli, green banana, and marjoram, with a meaty, earthy core and chalky minerality” stating the mezcal to be “distinctive and truly memorable” and “bursting with character”.
The win shines a spotlight on Michoacán, a lesser-known volcanic mezcal-producing region often called the soul of Mexico. Zacal’s Maestro de Mezcalero and co-founder, Milton Ochoa, crafts each expression using a distinctive triple distillation process and a traditional chimney method, resulting in the smooth, balanced profile that sets Zacal apart.
Phil Clayton, co-founder of Zacal, said: “Winning the ISC Trophy with Zacal Mezcal’s Ensamble is more than an award – it’s a statement. Proof that you don’t need to be big, or follow the well-worn path, to stand among the best.
“It also helps cement Michoacán, Mexico as a true home of world-class artisanal spirits. We believe Zacal is now one of the most highly awarded new spirit brands in the UK and this is only the beginning.”
The International Spirits Challenge Trophy is awarded to fewer than 2% of entrants, making it one of the rarest and most prestigious honours in the industry.
