The popularity of mezcal has grown in the U.S., but it can still often get mistaken for its relative, tequila. While you can often order a margarita with tequila or mezcal, the difference between the two spirits run deeps. Both come from Mexico and are crafted from agave, but their production methods, traditions, and, most noticeably, their flavors, set them apart.
Here are some key details to learn before your next happy hour.
They're Made From Different Types Of Agave
Tequila is actually a type of mezcal, as mezcal is simply the name for any liquor made from agave. There are many types of agave, and tequila can only be made from blue agave. There are several other types of agave, like espadín, tobalá, and tepeztate, from which mezcal is produced.
They're Distilled Differently
Aside from the agave, the nuanced details of each spirit's production process make tequila and mezcal incredibly different drinking experiences.
First, both mezcal and tequila use the core of the agave (the piña), which is harvested from the plant when it's first pulled from the ground. For tequila, the piña is cooked in industrial ovens and is then shredded, fermented, and distilled in copper pots. Piña destined for mezcal, on the other hand, is cooked in an underground pit lined with aromatic items like volcanic rock, charcoal, and wood. The agave piñas are then fermented and distilled in clay pots.
They Have Different Flavor Profiles
Tequila is more agave-forward, resulting in a liquor that tastes semi-earthy and even a little bit sweet upon first taste. Depending on the brand, the finished product may also have added flavor or have been aged in oak barrels, leading to a much smoother, less bitter taste. Opt for tequila in cocktails and dishes when you want an agave-forward, approachable flavor.
With mezcal, explaining flavor is a little less straightforward. Most casual mezcal drinkers are familiar with mezcal from Oaxaca, which has a smoky, woody, almost savory flavor thanks to the Espadín agave from which it's made. Aficionados might also detect floral, fruity, or earthy notes. However, even mezcal made with the same type of agave can taste different across Mexico's many regions as a result of the individual cooking and fermenting preferences of the mezcaleros themselves.
They Come From Different Regions Of Mexico
The two drinks are different because of the regions they come from. Tequila is made in the Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas regions in Mexico. Mezcal can be made in Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Michoacán, Oaxaca, Puebla, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas.
They're Labeled Differently
Tequila and mezcal each have their own systems of classification. Tequila comes in blanco, reposado, and añejo varieties, and cristalino; here's more information on the types of tequila.
Mezcal is also labeled with the type of agave used to produce it. It might also be labeled with joven, reposado, and añejo varieties. Generally speaking, the categories correspond with the length of the spirit's aging period, with joven being the shortest and añejo the longest.
