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Head-to-head comparison
Del Maguey Vida and Monte Alban Con Gusano both cost less than $46, but the crowd ratings tell very different stories. Here's the honest breakdown.
Del Maguey Vida Mezcal wins
Winner
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The winner: Del Maguey Vida Mezcal
Del Maguey Vida is the clear winner here: it's a genuine sipping mezcal with a much stronger crowd rating, while Monte Alban Con Gusano scores as one of the weakest mezcals we track. Grab the Monte Alban only if the worm gimmick and a lower price are the whole point.
Monte Alban Con Gusano is consistently the cheaper bottle nationwide, typically running in the low $20s, while Del Maguey Vida usually lands in the $30s to low $40s. That's a real gap, and it's the only thing keeping Monte Alban in the conversation. If you're stocking a bar cart for mixed drinks on a tight budget, the savings might matter more than the quality gap. For anything you plan to drink neat or savor, the extra money for Vida is worth it.
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Common questions
This comparison currently favors Del Maguey Vida Mezcal. The verdict is based on the evidence shown on this page, including source ratings and current offers.
No. ShelfRead keeps each third-party rating attached to its original source and scale. It does not combine those scores into an aggregate rating.
The page reflects the latest offer data available when it was updated on September 27, 2026. Retailer prices and availability can change, so confirm the final price with the retailer.
