Tequila & mezcal
Separately regulated agave spirits. Species and production matter more than a simple smoky-versus-clean distinction.
Tequila
- Raw materials
- Blue agave (Agave tequilana Weber, blue variety)
- Production
- Agave hearts are cooked, fermented and distilled. 100% agave and tequila allowing other sugars are separate categories.
- Flavour
- Agave, pepper and citrus; ageing adds oak notes.
Cocktails using this spirit
References
Mezcal
- Raw materials
- Agave; espadín is among the permitted species
- Production
- Cooked agave is crushed, fermented and distilled. Pit roasting is common, but permitted methods vary by production category.
- Flavour
- Roasted agave, herbs, fruit and sometimes smoke.