Tequila Vs Mezcal
Are they the same?
All tequilas are mezcals, but not all mezcals are tequilas.
Tequila is a type of Mezcal, much like how scotch and bourbon are types of whiskey. Mezcal can be made from more than 30 varieties of agave. They're produced in different regions. While there is some geographical overlap, tequila and mezcal primarily come from different regions of Mexico. They're distilled differently. Both tequila and mezcal are made from the harvested core of the agave plant, otherwise known as the “piña.” However, that’s where the similarities in production end. Tequila is typically produced by steaming the agave inside industrial ovens before being distilled two or three times in copper pots. Mezcal, on the other hand, is cooked inside earthen pits that are lined with lava rocks and filled with wood and charcoal before being distilled in clay pots. While some large-scale mezcal producers have adopted modern methods, artisanal mezcal makers continue to use this more traditional method, which is the source of the smokiness commonly associated with mezcal.
Click to learn more