Differences between mezcal and tequila

The difference between tequila and mezcal is the same as between brandy and cognac: every tequila is mezcal, but not every mezcal is tequila. We will look at the features of these two Mexican spirits in this article.

Mescal

The term “mezcal” (mezcal) comes from the Aztec word mexcalli and translates as “baked agave”. Most likely, mezcal appeared in Mexico at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, along with the Spanish colonizers. Before the arrival of Europeans, the Indians made a fermented pulque drink from agave, in fact, agave mash, on the basis of which the conquistadors created the modern distillate.

Mezcal is made from the core of the agave plant (piña). The fruits are boiled over an open fire over charcoal pits (this is how mezcal acquires its characteristic smoked notes). The finished raw material is kneaded into a homogeneous mass, poured with water and left to ferment. Agave mash is distilled twice, the resulting drink with a strength of 55% is aged in wooden barrels or immediately bottled and drunk young.

Mezcal can be very different, depending on the manufacturer, raw materials, aging. However, a distinctive feature of this alcohol is considered to be a pronounced smoky “smoky” flavor.

Famous brands of mezcal: Zignum Repasado, Zignum Silver, Del Maguey Vida.

Tequila

Tequila (Tequila) is produced in the vicinity of the city of the same name from the blue agave. This is the most famous type of mezcal, popular not only at home, but also in Europe, the USA and other countries. The first agave distillate appeared in this region at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, and in the XNUMXth century, the Marquis of Altamira had already begun commercial production of the drink.

The production technology in general terms coincides with mezcal: hand-picked agave fruits get rid of the leaves, leaving only the core, then they are half-cooked-half-baked in the oven for several days, then ground into a pulp, fermented and subjected to double distillation.

Famous brands of tequila: Olmeca, Sauza, Espolon, Jose Cuervo.

Types

Both mezcal and tequila are classified by age:

• Blanco (tequila) or Joven (mezcal). Unaged transparent alcohol, without additional notes in the bouquet.
• Gold. Aged in wooden barrels for 2-11 months.
• Añejo. Aged in wooden barrels for a year or more.

Difference between tequila and mezcal

Both drinks are based on agave, but more than 30 varieties of the plant are suitable for mezcal (for example, tobalá, tobaziche, tepeztate, arroqueño and espadín), and only one, blue agave, is suitable for tequila. Raw materials for mezcal grow in 9 regions, and for tequila – in five, with one region common (Guanajuato).