Tequila is typically produced by steaming the agave inside industrial ovens before being distilled two or three times in copper pots. Mezcal, on the other hand, is cooked inside earthen pits that are lined with lava rocks and filled with wood and charcoal before being distilled in clay pots.

Is mezcal stronger than tequila?

Many people find that the taste of mezcal is usually stronger than that of tequila, but that's another matter. ... If you order a mezcal or a tequila in a bar, either neat or on the rocks, chances are you'll get a spirit that's about 40% ABV, which is the same strength as the vast majority of spirits sold around the world.

Is mezcal as healthy as tequila?

Mezcal can be considered cleaner and more pure than tequila, especially if the later is mixed with artificial sugar and way to many margarita mixers. When it comes to health, wellness, and alcohol, consider balance and sip in moderation – mezcal included.

Why is tequila a mezcal?

Both mezcal and Tequila are made from agave, so what's the difference between them? Basically, Tequila is a type of mezcal. While mezcal can be produced from up to 50 species of the agave plant, Tequila can be made from just one: agave tequilana Weber, or Weber blue agave. ... The cooked plant then gets pulverized.

Is mezcal just fancy tequila?

“At its most basic, mezcal is an agave distillate,” explains Ivy Mix, co-owner of Brooklyn's Leyenda and author of Spirits of Latin America, “But it is not just smoky tequila.” Tequila is technically a mezcal, but it is only produced in Jaliso and three surrounding states using at least 51 percent blue agave.

Tequila Vs Mezcal - What's the Difference?

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Why do they put a worm in mezcal?

So, why is there a worm in mezcal? Larvae began appearing in mezcal bottles in the 1950s, when a mezcal maker discovered a moth larvae in a batch of his liquor and thought the stowaway improved its taste. He started adding “worms” to all his bottles as a marketing strategy.

Why is tequila more popular than mezcal?

Thanks to Denominación de Origen laws, to use the coveted tequila name, the spirit must be distilled in Jalisco (home of the city of Tequila) or a few neighboring regions. Mezcal is more diverse, with agave farmed in at least nine distinct regions—although Oaxaca is the most prominent.

Is mezcal a hallucinogen?

2. Does Mezcal make you hallucinate? No, never. You're thinking of Mescaline, an hallucinogenic found in the buttons from the peyote cactus.

Is mezcal legal in the US?

By way of quick background, the three-tier system is the legal system governing the distribution and sales of not just mezcal, but all alcoholic beverages, in the United States. It has been in place for close to a hundred years, ever since the repeal of Prohibition in 1933.

Does mezcal taste like tequila?

Mezcal traditionally has a very unique, smoky flavor that makes it fairly easy to distinguish from tequila. It also tends to taste sweeter, or richer, than tequila. Some mezcal producers have adopted production processes similar to tequila, and the resulting mezcal has flavor profile similar to tequila.

Can you refrigerate mezcal?

Mezcal is best sipped at room temperature. Like most American whiskeys (especially bourbon), mezcal contains a lot of natural congeners. ... So never keep your mezcal in the freezer or fridge, and leave the ice behind unless you're using mezcal in a cocktail.

Can you get a hangover from mezcal?

A common misconception about tequila is that it does not cause hangovers. Dr. Forrelli clarified that while any alcohol consumption that is taxing to the body will always cause negative aftereffects, single-ingredient mezcals ingested without mixers may be more easily digestible, minimizing hangover symptoms.

Can you drink mezcal straight?

The best way to drink mezcal straight is without ice. Serving mezcal straight at room temperature is the best way to experience its colorful flavors and aromas. Take a sip and swish it around in your mouth. This will open your palate and allow your taste buds to adjust to the initial burning sensation.

Is agave the same as mezcal?

According to spirits writer John McEvoy, mezcal is defined as any agave-based liquor. This includes tequila, which is made in specific regions of Mexico and must be made from only blue agave (agave tequilana).

What does Joven mean in mezcal?

Joven: mezcal that is bottled immediately after distillation or aged for fewer than two months. Reposado: tequila or mezcal that's been "rested" in oak for a minimum of two months but less than a year in oak barrels. Añejo: tequila or mezcal that's been "aged" for between one and three years in oak barrels.

Why is mezcal more expensive?

Mezcal, which differs from tequila in the production process and the agave used to make it, tends to be a spendy spirit, often out-pricing even top-shelf tequilas (via Thrillist). This price tag comes from the fact that the agave plants used to make mezcal can take extremely long periods of time to reach their peak.

Does Bacardi own Ilegal Mezcal?

Bacardi took a minority stake in Ilegal mezcal in 2017, adding the brand to its portfolio just as the category began to pick up steam in the U.S. market. Mezcal has continued to grow rapidly from its small base with Ilegal playing a key role, led by founder John Rexer, who remains at the head of the business.

What does mezcal mean in Spanish?

Mezcal (/mɛˈskæl/, American Spanish: [mesˈkal] ( listen)) is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from any type of maguey. The word mezcal comes from Nahuatl mexcalli [meʃˈkalːi], which means "oven-cooked agave", from metl [met͡ɬ] and ixcalli [iʃˈkalːi].

Can you bring mezcal back from Mexico?

A general rule of thumb is that 1 case of alcohol is a personal use quantity – although travelers are still subject to state restrictions which may allow less.” So you can bring back as much as you want as long as you declare it! The only catch is you are likely to have to pay tax above the 1 bottle limit.

Do you chew the worm in mezcal?

- Should You Eat the Tequila Worm? Most people would not eat the mezcal worm, but in some cultures it is quite acceptable. There are no proven side effects that come with consuming a Tequila worm.

What's the worm in tequila?

According to Anthony Dias Blue's Complete Book of Spirits, that "worm" is actually a larva from one of two types of moths, known as maguey worms, that live on the agave plant. These larvae are called gusano and bottles of mezcal that contain the lil guys are referred to as con gusano.

Is the worm in mezcal alive?

Are Tequila Worms alive? That little worm inside your bottle of tequila is not alive. In fact, if it wasn't for drowning in booze then that little worm would turn into a beautiful butterfly (or moth rather), as it's not a worm at all. It's the larvae of a moth.

What is tequila called when not made in Mexico?

Tequila is only produced inside the Mexican state of Jalisco and in some municipalities in Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. Any agave-based distilled spirit outside those regions are called "mezcal." Other subtypes of mezcal you might see are Bacanora, Sotol and Raicilla.

Are all mezcal smoky?

When it comes to mezcal, yes, there is always some level of smoke flavor to the spirit. ... The smoke in mezcal comes from how the fresh agave is cooked in order to bring out the sugars that allow for fermentation to take place. This cooking happens underground in an earthen pit.