10 Things You Should Know Before Drinking Mezcal
Get ready to become obsessed.
As it's risen in popularity, mezcal
has become known as tequila's smoky cousin. But — spoiler alert — bartenders hate that term, and there's a lot more to know about
the Mexicanspirit. Here's
has become known as tequila's smoky cousin. But — spoiler alert — bartenders hate that term, and there's a lot more to know about
the Mexicanspirit. Here's
where to start.
TRADITIONALISTS SPELL
MEZCAL LIKE IT'S
PRONOUNCED.
That's m-e-s-c-a-l. (In Spanish, z's sound like s's.) So if you
see "mescal" on a menu, don't roll your eyes: It's not a faux pas.
see "mescal" on a menu, don't roll your eyes: It's not a faux pas.
IT'S MADE FROM A
PLANT YOU'LL
RECOGNIZE.
Mezcal is a distilled spirit made from the agave plant, which is also
how we get tequila. In short: You can blame agave for endless fun
nights — and all the drunken texts you never meant to send.
MEZCAL IS TO TEQUILA
WHAT RECTANGLES ARE
TO SQUARES.
If you graduated elementary school, you'll understand the relation.
All tequilas are mezcals, but not all mezcals are tequilas. To put
it simply: Tequila is a type of mezcal since any spirit made from
agave is classified as such.
THREE THINGS SET
MEZCAL AND TEQUILA
APART.
If you're looking to impress a drinker, memorize these.
1. They're produced in different regions.
Just like real champagne can only come from Champagne, France, and
legit scotch is only made in Scotland, tequila and mezcal have regional
distinctions. Jalisco is the epicenter of tequila production, while Oaxaca
makes more than 90 percent of the world's mezcal supply.
2. They're made from different varieties of agave.
There are nearly 200 types of the plant, and mezcal can be made
from more than 30 of them. Tequila can only come from Blue Agave.
3. They're distilled differently.
The agave for tequila is steamed in ovens that are above ground.
Mezcal producers use in-ground fire pits filled with wood and charcoal.
MEZCAL DOESN'T HAVE
TO TASTE LIKE SMOKE.
Some bartenders feel the descriptor undercuts the spirit: Mezcal
can taste a little charred because of the way it's produced, but you
might also try some with floral, fruity, or earthy notes.
ESPADIN MEZCALS ARE
FOR BEGINNERS; THEN,
GRADUATE TO TOBALÀ.
Espadin agave is one of the most prevalent species of the plant,
making it the most popular source of mezcal. Since it's so widespread,
the taste can vary wildly from bottle to bottle. Tobalà is referred to as
"the king of mezcals" because the agave plant is more scarce and
harder to harvest. Read: That sh*t's expensive.
MEZCAL IS HAVING
A MOMENT.
According to 2016 statistics, mezcal sales had doubled in the
previous four years. The obsession is even boosting Oaxaca's
economy, as investors and fans are flocking to the state.
THE SPIRIT IS SO
POPULAR, PEOPLE
ARE OPENING UP BARS
DEDICATED TO THE STUFF.
Mezcalito in San Francisco has more than 100 different bottles,
which you can taste on their own in a flight or in a handful of
cocktails. D.C.'s Espita Mezcaleria has a menu curated by one
of the world's only Master Mezcaliers. In New York City,
Casa Mezcal has three levels of bar space, each designed
to evoke Oaxaca in the Big Apple.
YOU CAN'T BUY FLAVORED
MEZCAL.
The spirit isn't like vodka: It's not bottled to taste like pumpkin pie
or strawberries. If you want it to taste differently, you'll need to
mix it into a cocktail. (Or go to a mezcal bar, and have someone
do it for you.)
ONE TEQUILA BRAND IS
SMOKING ITS LIQUOR
TO COMPETE WITH
MEZCAL.
Maestro Dobel Tequila, an 11th generation distillery, launched
Humito, a smoked silver tequila. The genius behind the bottle
says it's a riff on old-school tequila production, when they used
to cook with agave with mesquite wood.
FORGET EVERYTHING
YOU KNOW ABOUT
THE WORM IN THE BOTTLE.
For starters, it's not even a worm, it's a larva — and it's a giant
gimmick. Larvae really do find their way into agave plants
(and therefore the spirits produced from them), but many
American bars add the little guys to bottles just to boost
sales. They're not a requirement or indication of good
mezcal; if anything, they should deter you. As for the larvae's
hallucinatory powers? That's complete BS.
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