The Difference Between Tequila and Mezcal
Everybody has a drink of choice. Some may prefer whiskey, while others love vodka. And then thereโs tequila, the sweet liquor that goes great in margaritas or even alone. There are even different types of tequilas: blanco, joven, reposado, anejo, extra anejo. Thereโs another liquor that many people โ even the most experienced tequila drinkers โ have never tried. Itโs the cousin of tequila, and itโs called mezcal. This article further explains what mezcal is, and how itโs different than tequila.
Itโs first important to note that all tequilas are mezcals, but not all mezcals are tequila. The similarity between these two liquors is that they are both made from agave. The difference is that tequila can only be made from one agave plant: agave tequilana Weber, or also known as Weber blue agave. Mezcal, on the other hand, can be made from up to 50 different species of agave plant.
Tequila and mezcal also come from different regions of Mexico, although there is sometimes some overlap. Tequila is produced in Michoacรกn, Guanajuato, Nayarit, Tamaulipas and Jalisco. This differs from mezcal, which is produced in 9 different areas of Mexico: Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Michoacรกn, Puebla and Oaxaca.
They are also distilled differently. Tequila is produced by steaming the agave inside industrial ovens and then distilling it in copper pots. Mezcal, alternatively, is cooked inside pits that are lined with lava rocks and filled with wood and charcoal. It is then distilled in clay pots. These results, of course, result in different flavors. Tequila generally has a smooth, sweet flavor; mezcal has a smoky flavor.
When you travel to Cabo San Lucas, this is the perfect place to learn more about mezcal and tequila. There are many liquor tastings tours you can join, or you can simply enjoy Cabo nightlife. At Only Cabo Tours, we have Cabo nightlife tours where weโll introduce you to the best clubs in Los Cabos. Weโll also make sure that you have the chance to taste both tequila and mezcal.
