The Shocking Truth About Mezcal That Will Change Everything You Think About Tequila

Sat, 02 May 2026 16:17:19 +0000

The Shocking Truth About Mezcal That Will Change Everything You Thought About Tequila While tequila dominates the global tequila market with its smooth image and iconic blue agave roots, few know the shocking truth: mezcal is not just an alternative spirit—it’s a bold, ancient, and far more complex cousin with a story that shakes everything you thought you knew about agave-based drinks. ### What Is Mezcal, Really?
Mezcal (short for mezcal tequila, but important to distinguish) is a传统ratively made spirit distilled from the smoked agave plant, primarily from wild or heirloom varieties like Agave salmiana (tequisquite) or Agave angustifolia. Unlike tequila, which is confined to Jalisco and restricted to Blue agave, mezcal thrives across Mexico—Oaxaca, Guerrero, Michoacán, and more—with over 40 distinct regional styles. This diversity fuels its legendary flavor variations, from smoky and earthy to floral and fruity. But here’s the bombshell: mezcal’s origins stretch back over 2,500 years to the ancient Zapotecs, making it geographically, culturally, and historically older than tequila—if not older than mezcal’s close ancestor, pulque. Long before tequila was born, mescal was the sacred drink of ritual, medicine, and community.