TEQUILA CONNECTION

Another source of confusion is the difference between Mezcal and Tequila. Mezcal (from the Nahuatl word, Mexcalmetl) is known to be any distilled beverage made from the maguey (agave) family of plants. Thus, tequila is technically a type of mezcal, but mezcal is not a type of tequila. They are considered two distinct products. Mezcal is made from over two dozen agave species including Tobala and Espadin. Mezcal can be produced from the Weber Blue Agave, although this variety is primarily used for making tequila. The (traditional) production process is also different. For mezcal, the agave hearts are baked in rock-lined underground pits, covered with fiber mats and earth. This technique gives mescal a smokier flavor. Mezcal generally has a stronger bite than tequila, and is consequently less popular. However, mezcal producers are increasingly changing to a production process similar to that of tequila, hence mezcal today can be much smoother and refined compared to years past. As of..