Mezcal vs Tequila. What exactly makes these two Incredible Agave Spirits so special and are they the same thing? Both Tequila and Mezcal come from Mexico and while they do come from the same plants, they are quite different both in flavor and the way they are made. In this post, I will go over all of the differences between Tequila and Mezcal, what makes them similar, as well as how they taste and how mezcal is made.
There are a lot of Celebrities who have tequila brands and its become the new hot thing in Hollywood. I actually reviewed The Rock’s Tequila, Teremana, and gave my Honest Thoughts on it.
Tequila and Mezcal are made very similarly, but there a few key differences which make each spirit very unique and make them stand out from one another. Mezcal Cocktails are some of my absolute favorite cocktails, so I really wanted to make this video examining and sharing with you talking about Mezcal and Tequila. We cover mezcal vs tequila taste, origin, process, and how they are made, and more. I really tried to give a comprehensive view of what makes these two spirits so special and why so many people love them.
Mezcal
- Can be made from 30 different Agave Species
- Usually made in, but not limited to, the State of Oaxaca, Mexico.
- Agave is usually cooked in Earthen Pits, leading to the smoky flavor.
- Can be aged but not very common.
Tequila
- Must be made from the Blue Weber Agave
- Must be made in the State of Jalisco, Mexico. (with a few other small exceptions)
- Agave is usually cooked in Steam Ovens
- Tequila can be Aged, with traditional age classifications being:
- Blanco: unaged
- Reposado: 2-12 months in oak barrels.
- Añejo: 1-3 Years in Oak Barrels
- Extra Añejo: 3+ Years in oak Barrels
Overall, both Mezcal and Tequila are incredible and will forever be intertwined. They are both delicious and very versatile. Both should be treasured for what they are and there are some incredible examples of brands out there doing the right thing.
Mezcal and tequila aren’t the only Mexican spirits out there, There is also Sotol and even Bacanora and Raicilla!