Mezcal vs Tequila - What’s the Difference?
A complete comparison of Tequila and Mezcal. How do they differ? Is Mezcal Tequila? What exactly are the difference between Mezcal and Tequila when we put them side by side. Well this is Mezcal vs Tequila.
Anytime Mezcal is mentioned, it’s always in comparison with Tequila. Which makes sense, on the surface they are both very similar except for the fact that Tequila is globally incredibly popular and Mezcal, although it's getting there, is not.
However, this can lead to firstly, more questions about what the differences actually are, and secondly, false information.
So in this article we are just going to focus on what those differences actually are.
What are the Similarities between Mezcal vs Tequila
Before we get into the difference we should probably address those similarities briefly. Like I said, this will be a focus on the difference between the two spirits so I will keep this brief.
Both have to be made in Mexico
Both range from 35% - 55% ABV
Both are made with agave
What are the differences between Mezcal and Tequila
Is Mezcal just a smoky Tequila?
No but yes. A great way to think about the flavour of Mezcal is a smoky tequila. But that doesn't mean that is what it is. That’s just how it tastes. Just because you have a strawberry tasting lolly doesn’t mean it's an actual strawberry, you know?
Do they both have the worm in?
No. The ‘worm’ is only in Mezcal, it’s not in all mezcal, but just a few. You will never find a worm in Tequila.
For more on this because is it quite the interesting subject, check out this article: What is a Tequila worm?
Is Mezcal a type of Tequila?
No, mezcal is not a type of tequila, it’s actually the other way around. Mezcal is an umbrella term, all tequila is mezcal but not all mezcal is tequila.
It’s almost like whisky in the way that all bourbon is whisky but not all whisky is bourbon. In the case of agave spirits, whisky would be Mezcal and bourbon would be Tequila.
Is Mezcal just fancy Tequila?
No, mezcal is not just fancy tequila, but it sure does help upsell it by saying that. It's a different spirit, if you really want to compare mezcal you’re best saying it's a traditional tequila.
Is Mezcal stronger than Tequila?
Both tequila and mezcal legally have to be in the range of 35% and 55% abv so generally speaking no. However, mezcal does tend to be produced on the higher end whereas tequila is generally kept to 40%.
Meaning you will find more higher strength mezcals than tequilas out in the wild. The wild being cocktail bars.
Agave
pictured: agave used to make tequila and mezcal. image source.
One of the most important aspects of distillation and the flavour of a spirit comes down to what it’s made with. Rum wouldn’t be rum without molasses, gin wouldn’t be gin without Juniper and both Mezcal and Tequila wouldn’t be what they are without agave.
However, the type of agave used has a big impact and both these spirits, although both use agave, they use different types of agave.
Tequila
The type of agave used to create Tequila has to be Blue-Weber agave.
Blue-weber has been covered both in my 101 guide to agave and 101 guide to tequila. Globally there are over 250 species of agave but Tequila can only use blue weber to be called Tequila.
Pictured: Blue-weber agave used to make tequila. image source.
Mezcal
The types of agave used to create Mezcal can differ. Mezcal is able to use over 25 different types of agave and/or a variation of those agaves.
More of which is covered in my 101 guide to mezcal.
Pictured: Espadin agave, most popular agave used to make Mezcal. image source.
How this affects the end spirit
The agave used to make tequila blue-weber takes around 7-10 years to mature and creates a consistency across the category. You know what tequila should taste like, you know a good tequila and a bad tequila. Although subtle differences in flavour are apparent, especially for aged tequilas, the underlying flavour is always going to be the same.
With mezcal, because such a large variety can be used, it means there is a lot more versatility in the category. Two £40 bottles of Mezcal might taste completely different. One might taste more floral and soft, hints of apple and an almost herbal note to it, whilst another can taste almost caramelly and rich with bigger and harsher flavours.
If you like consistency go with Tequila, if you like individuality and versatility go with Mezcal.
Scroll to the bottom of this article for my recommendations on different varieties of mezcals using different agave types to really taste the difference.
Where its made
Both are made in Mexico but there are states and regulations that separate the two.
Tequila
Tequila can be made in 5 states of Mexico and to be called Tequila, it HAS to be made in one of those states, they are; Guanajuato, Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit, or Tamaulipas. Most of which border each other meaning the climate is pretty much the same.
90% of Tequila is made in Jalisco (pronounced - huh·li·skow)
Mezcal
Mezcal can be in 8 different Mexican states which are spread out over the entire of Mexico. Those states are; Durango, Guerrero, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Oaxaca, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas.
85% of Mezcal is made in Oaxaca (pronounced - wuh·haa·kuh)
pictured: Mexico’s agave making states. image source.
Above is a picture from imbibe which perfectly depicts where in Mexico agave spirits are/can be made.
That depiction does mention Bacanora and Raicilla which are not covered in this article, for more about what they are and how they differ from both Mezcal and Tequila, check out this article: Agave spirits that are NOT Tequila.
How this affects the end spirit
Blue weber agave which makes tequila takes anywhere from 7 to 10 years to mature, agave used for mezcal can take anywhere from 8 to 30 years. That’s a long time, in that time a lot can happen during the growth that will affect the end spirit, such as sweetness.
So where they grow has a big impact. All of tequila production is done nearby meaning a further consistency throughout. With mezcal having more freedom, they are able to create more versatility in the flavour.
For more on agave check out this 101 guide to agave.
Production methods
Both Tequila and Mezcal are fermented and distilled pretty similarly, the difference is that Mezcal takes a more traditional method and Tequila is much more techy. For example, Mezcal uses the Tahona method to crush agave and Tequila uses machinery.
Pictured: Horse pulling Tahona stone used in Mezcal production. image source: A complete guide to Mezcal.
The biggest difference which imparts the most flavour is the cooking of agave. Agave needs to be cooked to transform stubborn starch into fermentable sugars. With Tequila, this is done over 2 days in large, low temperature, steam ovens. Mezcal on the other hand uses huge pits dug into the earth then filled with hot stones and fire, they then throw in the agave and bury it for up to 10 days.
The difference in flavour is that steam ovens used in Tequila give a more purer, cleaner flavour. Whereas Mezcals pit oven method creates a smokiness which becomes trapped in the agave.
Pictured: Steam ovens used to cook agave in Tequila production. Image source: A complete guide to Tequila.
That is why Mezcal is so smoky and tequila isn’t at all smoky. Check out both the production method for tequila in this article and mezcal in this article, after reading them you will understand how this works more.
Especially the Mezcal production method. It’s really interesting stuff. If you don’t know or haven’t seen the method of making mezcal before but you enjoy it then I highly recommend that article.
Taste
Tequila
Earthy sweetness with a hint of pepperiness. If aged, woody, oaky and caramel flavours appear.
Mezcal
Earthy sweetness with an all present smokiness. Flavours differ from bottle to bottle, ranging from green apples and herbs to exotic fruits and peat.
Why is Tequila more popular than Mezcal
Something that happens in almost every spirit producing country is that they push for a certain spirit to become their national drink. Something that people can associate with them and be profitable for the country.
The reason Tequila became Mexico’s national spirit is because the flavour is more accessible. Generally speaking, you really have to love mezcal to enjoy it. The characteristics and smokiness of it is intense.
Tequila on the other hand is a lot softer, it’s easier to enjoy and is much more of a neutral tasting spirit. Which makes it easier to market, easier to sell and easier to enjoy in a mass versatility of drinks. From shots to Margaritas.
In short, there is more people that like the taste of Tequila then there are people who like the taste of Mezcal,
Why is Mezcal more expensive than Tequila
image source: pinterest
The reason Mezcal is more expensive than Tequila is because Mezcal is more artisan. They use traditional methods to make it and so the process becomes more labour intensive.
This also makes it harder to create large quantities, unlike Tequila which is made in a way where thousands of bottles can be made in a single day.
These traditional methods and labour coupled with the fact that the producers are often in the middle of nowhere and non-English speaking means that to export and sell it in places like the UK and American becomes difficult.
That being said, there are still high quality Mezcals you can get, especially here in the UK. Here are my 3 favourite Mezcals which I highly recommend.
Here are my UK Mezcal recommendations:
Pensador Especial
£49.50 - amazon.co.uk
A unique Mezcal made with 100% Tepextate agave which has flavours more leaning towards spice - pepper and coriander.
They have a cheaper expression for £32.95 found here and made with Espadín agave but this especial addition is something else entirely.
Especial is a limited series showcasing spirits produced from rare and wild agaves. Sourced from a variety of producers, employing a variety of techniques, each batch will display a different facet of Miahuatlán. They are unique, un-repeatable, and very exciting.
PA1 comes from Felipe and Ageo Cortes - a father son team who distil in a refrescador still.
Even if you don’t plan on drinking it, this is a good one to get if you have a alcohol collection or are planning on starting one.
Learn more about this Mezcal here
MVM Verde Momento Mezcal
£39.95 - amazon.co.uk
Verde Momento is a Mezcal made with 8-year-old organic espadin agave from the oaxaca state in Mexico.
Taste wise it’s got all the smoke you want from Mezcal with added grassy notes thanks to the espadin agave.
As far as price goes it’s one of the cheapest Mezcals you can get but tastes amazing. I especially recommend the use of this Mezcal in cocktails.
They are also environmentally friendly, they plant 10 new agave plants for every 1 they harvest and invest 10% of there profits into ecological and social sustainability programmes
Finally, one thing about this that I really love is the bottle itself. They use different works of art for the front labels. There’s no fixed label so each time you purchase one even though the liquid will be the same, the label will likely be a different art piece.
In my time I’ve seen at least 20 different labels so you really don’t know what you’re going to get, from agaves to cats to big lips and funky depictions. It’s honestly such a cool idea. Makes opening the amazon box that much more enjoyable not knowing what you’re going to get. My aim is to have a full shelf of empties with every art piece.
Learn more about this Mezcal here.
Ilegal Reposado Mezcal
£56.64 - amazon.co.uk
This is probably my absolute favourite expression of a rested Mezcal (also known as joven or reposado).
it taste exactly how you would want a rested mezcal to taste with those big smoky flavours but subtle characteristics of earthy oak.
They do also produce a Blanco Mezcal which is £45.99 here and taste delightful, a bar essential. As well as a aged Anejo Mezcal which is most expensive expression at £87.95 here. But the reposado I just love so much.
It also has an interesting story behind it. Ilegal Mezcal was founded by John Rexer in 2004. John hadn’t been able to find any good Mezcal suppliers in Guatemala when he opened his bar, the iconic Café No Se, so he went to Oaxaca and started smuggling it across the border in a variety of creative ways just to stock his bar, before turning it into the brand Ilegal Mezcal.
Learn more about this Mezcal here
For more of the Mezcals I recommend, check out my mezcal guide and scroll to the end.
If you read my tequila guide you will already know about avoiding mixto tequila and about the brands I highly recommend, but just in case you missed it, here are my top 3.
Here are the brands and types of Tequila I recommend:
Herradura Reposado
amazon.co.uk - £38.99
I can’t mention tequila recommendations without quickly mentioning Herradura.
Herradura is one of the oldest tequilas still in production, born in 1870 they were also the first tequila to create a reposado hence the recommendation as a must try.
It’s also different then the usual reposados as it’s aged for 11 months - thats 9 months over the industry standard. Closer to an anejo which would be 1-3 years.
Learn more about this Tequila
Ocho Anejo
amazon.co.uk - £55
So above was all about Ocho, as you can see, I have a lot of love for this brand. This expression is there Anejo. Its there premium expression.
They take there Ocho blanco and age it for one year in ex-American Whiskey barrels giving it a cinnamony, almondy and apricoty flavour.
Once again, amazing value for money. This is a tequila you would sip straight, no ice, no mixer, no chase and of course, no pulling funky faces.
Learn more about this Tequila
Don Julio 1942
amazon.co.uk - £279.99
Saving the best to last, the most exclusive, the most talked about, the most funkiest looking bottle - its non other than Don Julios 1942 anejo tequila.
This tequila comes with a heavy price tag for a reason, it’s the smoothest tequila I have ever tasted.
Created to mark 60 years since Don Julio Gonzalez started his tequila making journey, Don Julio 1942 truly is a must try.
Fun fact: that funky design of the bottle is inspired by the design of an agave leaf.
Learn more about this Tequila
For more of the Tequilas I recommend and more styles, check out my tequila guide article and scroll to the bottom.
The Answer
So… Mezcal vs Tequila, are they the same thing? No.
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