Differences between Tequila and Mezcal

What is Mezcal?

I'm gonna try and explain it. 💥

Basically, Mezcal and Tequila are not the same, but kind of. They are made from agave plants, but Tequila can only be made from blue agave which you can only obtain from 5 territories of Mexico, while Mezcal can be made from more than 50 varieties of it in more than 8 territories (only in Mexico as well as is where the agave grows). Amazing, innit?

My passion started when I first worked in a Mexican restaurant. They had all kind of Agave spirits, including the ones I am going to mention here. Luckily, I had the opportunity to have a full training about this type of beverage and I got amazed in all the variety and flavours you can obtain depending on the agave plant you are using and how you cook it

These are some of my favourites brands (from the ones I've been able to try at least):

• Del Maguey 💚

From this brand my favourites are Vida or Crema. If you like softer flavours Crema is smooth and nice! While Vida is a bit crisp and smoky is still really good to take little sips. All the types of Mezcal from this brand are amazingly well done.

• Los Danzantes 💛

I didn't have the opportunity to try the Añejo but if it's as nice as the Reposado I will expend the £80 pounds that one single bottle costs. Or it's been my birthday last week if someone would like to give me a nice gift... just saying.

• Illegal 💜

This was our "House Mezcal". It is not the most expensive in the planet but it is really good and with an amazing high-quality. I used to make my favourite cocktail called "Lawless" (if you know why we should be friends), which is based in this Repo Mezcal, Chamoy syrup (homemade, is apricot jam blended with dried chillies and then added some vinegar and sugar) and lime juice. Then a nice smoky salted rim. And enjoy. Best drink I ever had in my life. Thank you Illegal Mezcal! (It is called like that because is one of the first ones to be introduced into UK illegally).

• Alipus 💙

This Alipus brand is one of the best in the market as well. If you like smoky booze, the "San Andres" will delight you!

Again I haven't tried them all, but couple of them were in the introduction I mentioned before and I absolutely loved them. 

One interesting fact about Mezcal is that every single one of these bottles are listed manually. They have the stock numbers written with a pen. 

The agave plant most used to produce is the Espadin. Here is it!

I hope you enjoyed learning about my favourite drink!! More next week ;-)



If you wanna know some more specific details about this marvellous beverage:

https://bartenderatlas.com/features/community/an-introduction-to-mezcal/

See ya' 😘