Mezcal & Tequila

Question 1

What are the three things that affect Mezcal’s taste?

Answer 1

Varietal, Terroir, and Producer Practices

Question 2

What is a varietal in regards to Mezcal?

Answer 2

The species of agave used. Approximately 50 varieties, all of which have their own flavor and the age of growth.

Question 3

What is Terroir in regards to Mezcal?

Answer 3

Where it is grown, whether it be up on a mountain, near the ocean, or in the desert. These climatic differences will not only affect what type of agave naturally grows there, but the same agave varietal in different locations will taste drastically different.

Question 4

What is Producer Practices in regards to Mezcal?

Answer 4

You could have the same agave, from the same village, but the 2 mezcaleros producing it can have very different practices. They may harvest sooner or later, cook for longer or shorter, or differ in types of distillation cuts.

Question 5

What is tequila made of?

Answer 5

Blue agave

Question 6

Where is the majority of tequila produced?

Answer 6

Jalisco

Question 7

Within the category of 100% agave tequila, what are the different classifications?

Answer 7

Blanco or Silver, Reposado, Anejo, and Extra Anejo

Question 8

What is Blanco or Silver tequila?

Answer 8

Tequila aged no more than 2 months

Question 9

What is Reposado tequila?

Answer 9

Tequila aged 2-12 months in any size oak. Has slight brown color to it. Reposado means “rested.”

Question 10

What is Anejo tequila?

Answer 10

Tequila aged 1-3 years in oak. Usually has a darker color.

Question 11

What is Extra Anejo tequila?

Answer 11

Aged for longer than 3 years in oak.

Question 12

What is mixto?

Answer 12

Cheap stuff, made with a minimum of 51% agave and the rest is a neutral grain spirits. Within the mixto category, there are made up ‘categories’ like ‘gold.’

Question 13

How is tequila produced?

Answer 13

The leaves are chopped off the blue agave plant until a pineapple-shaped ball remains, called the pina. The pina is baked in either a brick or stainless steel industrial oven to release its sugars. The remaining fibers and sugars are then fermented and distilled.

Question 14

What is a general flavor profile of tequila?

Answer 14

Tequila has a vegetal, acidic, very distinct flavor.

Question 15

What are some tequila brands?

Answer 15

Casamigos, Milagro, Camarena, Espolon, Patron, Casa Noble

Question 16

What is the major difference between Mezcal and Tequila?

Answer 16

Technically mezcal is any distilled spirit which is made from the agave plant, so tequila is a mezcal. Tequila is only produced from blue agave and is typically an industrial production process. Mezcal can be made from many varietals and is produced in small distilleries called Palenques.

Question 17

Where is the majority of Mezcal produced?

Answer 17

Oaxaca

Question 18

How is Mezcal produced?

Answer 18

The way mezcal is made defines what it is, the pinas are baked in pits under the earth for a number of days, cooking and smoking it, which gives most mezcal a smoky taste profile.

Question 19

How long does it take agave plants to mature for these spirits?

Answer 19

Anywhere between 5 and 40 years

Question 20

What is the most common varietal of agave used in Mezcal?

Answer 20

Espadin

Question 21

What are some Mezcal brands?

Answer 21

Del Maguey, Ilegal, Nuestra Soledad, El Jolgorio, Peloton De La Muerte