What Is Mezcal, And How Is It Different From Tequila?

By Guillermo Dante

Mezcal and tequila are often confused for one another, as they’re both Mexican spirits made from similar ingredients. Tequila is a type of mezcal, but mezcal is not always tequila. Although both spirits are made from agave, they differ in flavor, production methods, and origination. Tequila can only be made from blue agave plants. Mezcal can be made from any number of agave species, including the blue variety.

I don’t know about you but I had always avoided and stayed away from mezcal in the early 80s. I preferred tequila or beer.

Reason one, was because I thought and heard that mezcal was “rot-gut” and was worse and stronger then the worst tequila we were already drinking. Of course we were in our early 20s and my rat- pack friends and I were taking quarterly trips to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. There was a time when Mexicana Airlines had a direct flight to Guadalajara then to Puerto Vallarta, round trip for $200. It was cheaper and a lot faster then driving to South Padre Island.

We called it the “Dos Margarita” flight. One going up and one coming down. Two hours from San Antonio and we were on the beach.

Also with mezcal I was not eating any or even thinking about a worm in the bottle.

It was bad enough that we had to avoid drinking the water south of the border. Believe me, I learned the hard way, not once but twice, I ate things I shouldn’t have in Mexico. Being in paradise on those beautiful beaches, sometimes you throw caution to the wind!

Keep in mind we were drinking tequila…..but it sure as heck wasn’t Don Julio 1942 or Extra Anejo back then.

I think the bottle in Mexico just said, in big bold letters, Tequila.

Well, we know that not only have we and tequila come a long way, but mezcal has really come a long way.

This is primarily because of better quality, multiple additives or enhancements, and aging in quality barrels.

 

Use this knowledge at your next tequila tasting trivia party:

1. All agave plants are mezcal…period!
2. Thus, tequila comes from a mezcal plant.
3. But not all mezcal plants can produce tequila.
4. Tequila HAS to come from a specific mezcal plant called, The Blue Agave

 

While tequila MUST be made with blue agave, mezcal can be made from over 30 different types of agave plants.

The difference here, is in the type of agave used, the area of Mexico where it is from and produced and how it is produced.

 

Blue agave becomes tequila depending on where it’s grown and

produced in certain regions of Mexico, mainly in the state of Jalisco.

But mezcal spirits can be produced in nine Mexican states. 80% is primarily grown and produced in the state of Oaxaca.

What about taste?

On the most basic level, tequila tends to have a smoother flavor, whereas mezcal is often described as savory and smoky. The smoky quality is usually attributed to the underground ovens used to cook the agave. In Mexico, mezcal is traditionally consumed straight. It may be served with a pinch of chili salt and a slice of orange on the side to complement and enhance its natural flavor.

Did you know that tequila types are categorized by their aging process? The main types are: Blanco-Silver (un-aged), Reposado (rested), Añejo (aged),  and Extra Añejo, my favorite, (ultra-aged). There are a few newer varieties like Joven -Gold (young) and Cristalino.

But mezcal can have as many as 30 plus varieties but can be narrowed down to just 3 types.

Number one is Espadin, which is 90 percent of all mezcal that is made. Espadin is more neutral which allows the producers to make a more generic base enabling for diverse flavors.

There are three categories of mezcal: mezcal, mezcal artesanal, and mezcal ancestral, each defined by the way the spirit is produced. Similar to the aging in tequila.

Now, the biggest difference is how each mezcal and tequila is made.

Tequila spirits, with the Blue Agave, often involves steaming the agaves in ovens, while mezcal frequently involves cooking the agave in underground pits, which  does create the very smoky flavor. You’ll notice the taste difference and it would be fun to make your favorite margaritas using mezcal.

Is  mezcal stronger than tequila?

It  has a reputation as one of the stronger spirits. Many people find that the taste of mezcal is usually stronger than that of tequila,

Tequila and mezcal are both in the range of about 38% to 55% alcohol by volume, which is 76-110 proof. So, a particular mezcal may be stronger than a particular tequila, but you may find just the opposite.

When you order mezcal or tequila in a bar, either neat, straight or on the rocks, chances are you’ll get a spirit that’s about the same strength as the vast majority of other spirits sold.

When you go to purchase your favorite tequila usually look right next to it and you’ll see mezcal.

Surprisingly, mezcal does tend to be more expensive than tequila because of the way it’s made, which is mostly in small batches by small distilleries.

Remember, mezcal and tequila taste very different! They are both agave spirits but mezcal has a bold smokiness that is very distinct.

In conclusion, the main  difference between mezcal and tequila is that tequila is always made with blue agave, while mezcal can be made from other varietals.

Mezcal makes for a great sipping spirit because you can explore the different species of agave and their many different types.

It’s hard to compare your favorite tequila with a favorite mezcal.

You will find your favorite mezcal, if you haven’t already.  Some people say that mezcal has a closer taste to scotch than to tequila.

Keep in mind it’s production is also regulated by the Mexican government.

Oh, about the worm…….including a worm, which is actually a caterpillar, is now more of a marketing gimmick rather than a necessary enhancement of the drink. In the past, it was believed that the presence of the worm was a sign of the mezcal’s quality, but this is not accurate, as the worm has no direct relation to the quality or taste of the mezcal.

 

A few recommended mezcals are:

400 Conejos, Del Maguey Vida, Dos Hombres, Ojo De Tigre and Joven.  Try the Sierra Negra mezcals if you come across them, they are excellent.

Like tequila, budget and cost go from one side of the pendulum to the other.

Now that you are your own tequila expert, it’s time to step out, experiment and enjoy the world of the agave mezcal! Give it a try.

Remember it’s all mezcal! Sip, don’t shoot.

¡Salud!