Tequila and mezcal may seem different, but tequila is actually a type of mezcal. Both come from agave and are rooted in Mexico.
Tequila is usually cooked with steam in modern ovens, which makes it taste cleaner and sweeter. Mezcal is roasted in underground pits, which gives it a unique smoky, earthy taste.
For more information, here are 14 differences between tequila and mezcal!
ALSO READ: The World of Tequila: Origins, Types, and Global Popularity
You may also like
Bourbon Whiskey: The Art Behind America's Finest Spirit
What Is Sangria? Discover Spain's Iconic Blend of Wine and Fruit
10 Italian Drinks: Exploring Timeless Flavors from Italy
The Difference Between Tequila and Mezcal
Below are the differences between tequila and mezcal.
1. Relationship
Mezcal is the broad category for any spirit distilled from the agave plant. Tequila is a specific type of mezcal, just as Scotch is a specific type of whiskey. Therefore, all tequila is mezcal, but not all mezcal is tequila.
2. Agave Species
Tequila must be made from a single plant, the Blue Weber Agave (Agave tequilana). In contrast, mezcal can be produced from over 30 agave species, including Espadín, Tobalá, and Tepeztate.
3. Production Regions
Both spirits have a protected Designation of Origin (DO). Tequila is mostly produced in the state of Jalisco, though it can also be made in specific parts of Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas.
Mezcal is mostly produced in Oaxaca, but its DO also includes Guerrero, Durango, San Luis Potosí, and Zacatecas.
4. Cooking Method
The way the agave hearts (piñas) are cooked defines the flavor. For tequila, the piñas are steamed in industrial autoclaves or brick ovens. For mezcal, the piñas are roasted in underground pits lined with hot rocks and charcoal, then covered with soil to create a smokier environment.
5. Flavor Profile
Tequila generally has a cleaner, sweeter profile with notes of citrus, herbs, and pepper. Mezcal is known for its bold, smoky, and earthy characteristics, which result directly from underground roasting.
6. Distillation and Scale
Tequila is produced on a large, industrial scale using copper or column stills. Mezcal is made using artisanal or "ancestral" methods, including small-batch distillation in clay pots or wooden stills.
7. Official Classifications
While both use aging terms such as Reposado and Añejo, mezcal has additional regulatory categories based on production techniques: "Mezcal", "Mezcal Artesanal", and "Mezcal Ancestral". These categories determine if modern machinery or traditional manual tools can be used.
8. Milling and Crushing
Tequila producers use industrial mechanical shredders or large rollers to extract juice from the agave. Mezcal producers stick to traditional methods, such as a tahona (a massive stone wheel pulled by a horse or donkey) or even hand-mashing the agave with wooden mallets in "Ancestral" setups.
9. Fermentation Agents
Tequila production relies on cultivated or commercial yeast strains to ensure a consistent, predictable fermentation process. Mezcal uses open-air fermentation in wooden vats, allowing wild, airborne yeasts from the local environment to ferment the liquid, which adds to its complex "funk".
10. Use of Additives
Tequila regulations allow the use of abocantes (additives such as caramel coloring, oak extract, or glycerin) in certain classes to achieve a specific color or mouthfeel.
Mezcal, particularly in the "Artesanal" and "Ancestral" categories, has much stricter limits, prohibiting the use of these additives to preserve the spirit's natural integrity.
11. Purity Standards
You will find "Mixto" tequilas on the market, which only require 51% agave sugars (the rest comes from cane or corn sugar). While mezcal regulations technically allow for some non-agave sugars in the basic "Mezcal" category, the vast majority of exported mezcal is 100% agave.
12. Verification Labels
Tequila bottles must display a NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana) number, which identifies the specific distillery where the spirit was produced.
Mezcal follows a different certification system, managed by bodies such as the CRM (Consejo Regulador del Mezcal), which categorizes the spirit based on the specific tools and traditional techniques used during production.
13. Terroir and Harvesting
Tequila production is highly standardized, using farmed agave clones to maintain consistency. Mezcal producers frequently harvest wild-grown agave that has spent decades maturing in the mountains.
As these wild plants absorb the characteristics of the specific soil and surrounding flora, mezcal expresses "terroir" much more intensely than tequila.
14. Cultural Identity
Tequila has evolved into a global industrial powerhouse synonymous with Mexico's modern spirits industry. Mezcal retains a stronger identity as a "farm-to-bottle" spirit, deeply tied to the indigenous heritage and localized traditions of small villages and families.
The Cocktail Club House Blend
Beyond agave spirits, The Cocktail Club also brings a thoughtful perspective on whisky. The Cocktail Club House Blend Whisky is a special mix of Bourbon Whisky, Blended Malt Whisky, and Blended Scotch Whisky.
It is aged for 40 days in a French oak barrel, imparting greater depth, elegance, and refinement.
- Nose: A complex aroma of spice and fruit, layered with elegant toasted wood notes.
- Palate: Full flavored and complex, with a silky-smooth texture and a harmonious balance of spice, fruit, sherry, and toasted oak.
- Finish: The layered flavors linger gently on the palate.
ALSO READ: Whiskey and the Stories Behind It: Types and How It's Made
Visit The Cocktail Club in Senopati, Jakarta Selatan, to Enjoy Premium Craft Cocktails!
Those are the differences between tequila and mezcal. Once you know the agave type, cooking method, region, and fermentation style, every sip is intentional.
With that in mind, visit The Cocktail Club to explore tequila, mezcal, or a curated selection of premium spirits.
Located in Senopati, Jakarta Selatan, The Cocktail Club is an award-winning bar, named Indonesia's Best Bar 2024, and ranked #12 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024.
As part of Union Group, it offers a cozy art deco interior, creative cocktails with local ingredients, an extensive whisky collection, and a lively atmosphere that builds throughout the night.
Reserve your table, book a private event, or view the menu here!
