Why is mezcal so expensive?

Why is mezcal so expensive?

Compared to tequila, mezcal can be significantly more expensive, and without much background on the process, it can be hard to understand why. … Many different species of agave can be used for mezcal production, unlike tequila, which uses only one (blue weber).

Can you drink mezcal straight?

The best way to drink mezcal straight is without ice. Serving mezcal straight at room temperature is the best way to experience its colorful flavors and aromas. Take a sip and swish it around in your mouth.

Does Mezcal get you drunk?

Mezcal may not be as refined as tequila, they they are similar in alcohol. Dont worry, you can certainly get drunk enough on either.

Does Mezcal get you high?

Technically, all alcohol is a depressant, but calling mezcal a stimulant is not completely off-base. Mezcal can give you a euphoric and energized feeling. Some sources point to its mild hallucinogenic properties as a primary cause for this elation. A more likely reason for this is that mezcal is pure.

Does mezcal make you hallucinate?

One of the urban legends surrounding the worm in mezcal is that the worm is so saturated in liquor that eating it causes a hallucinogenic reaction similar to that of peyote. … However, this particular piece of folklore has no truth to it; eating the worm will not give you hallucinations.

How do Mexicans drink mezcal?

“The best way to drink mezcal will always be clean, in small sips similar to small kisses, always accompanied by a little water to cleanse the palate and hydrate,” Medina says. “In this way you can appreciate the different flavors and aromas of mezcal.”

Is mezcal cheaper than tequila?

Most Tequila is bottled (and aggregated alcohol) outside of Mexico. Tequila can only have blue agave. Mezcal can be made up of a blend of agaves (mix 2 or more agaves still resulting in 100% agave). … If you are in Oaxaca BUY mezcal; a $40 usd bottle there can easily cost $120usd in the USA.

Why is mezcal smokier than tequila?

Mezcal and Tequila are both agave-based liquors. However, Tequila can only be made from one type of agave. … The flavor profile is very different than Tequila because it is typically smokier. If you are a Scotch drinker, Mezcal is to Tequila what Scotch is to Whiskey.

Does mezcal taste like tequila?

It can surprise and delight with its extreme range, and it can show terroir like few spirits can. For years, it was pigeon-holed as “smoky,” an easy way to differentiate its flavors from Tequila, which is also distilled from agave. But in reality, mezcal is so much more.

What’s better mezcal or tequila?

The best way to explain mezcal is to compare it to tequila. Mezcal has a smoky aroma because it is smoked. … Mezcal can be made from over 25 types of agave. Both Tequila and Mezcal have their own Domination of Origin BUT Mezcal has to be made with 100% agave while Tequila can be mixed with up to 49% other alcohol.

Does mezcal taste like scotch?

Honestly, you might find that you like most mezcal. The pinas are traditionally cooked underground in pits. The fermented liquid picks up all those funky, earthy flavors that are similar to a scotch made from peat smoked barley.

What is Ilegal Mezcal?

Ilegal mezcal is a beautifully balanced vintage mezcal from Tlacolula, Oaxaca Mexico. It is made by a fourth generation Mescalero and his family using 500 year old methods. Ilegal joven mezcal is a perfect balance of espadin agave and light smoke. Deep agave aromas. Hints of baked apple and white pepper.

Can you drink mezcal on the rocks?

If you want to drink your mezcal like they do in Mexico—or in any traditional bar that's well-stocked in agave spirits—you serve the spirit in copitas (shallow clay cups). … If you don't want to buy either for your home, you can also serve your mezcal in a standard rocks glass.

Why does mezcal have a worm in it?

The worm itself is actually a moth larvae called a gusano de maguey—since it feeds off of the maguey plant. … Some think the worm in the bottle started as a marketing ploy, to get people to drink more mezcal in the 1940s and 1950s.

Is mezcal always Smokey?

The result was mezcal. Today, mezcal is still made from the heart of the agave plant, called the piña, in much the same way as it was 200 years ago. In Mexico, mezcal is generally consumed straight and has a strong smoky flavor.

Is mezcal sold in the US?

Due to its small-batch, hand-hewn production process, bottles of mezcal sold in the United States tend to be pricier spirits like Jose Cuervo ($21.59 for 750 milliliters) or Absolut ($22.99). Thankfully, there are some affordable bottles with wide distribution in the United States.

What happens if you eat the mezcal worm?

Generally there is no worm in tequila. They will sometimes put creatures in Mezcal. … If you eat the worm you win the party and earn the admiration of all your friends! Other than that nothing else happens.

What kind of alcohol is mezcal?

Mezcal, the high-alcohol Mexican liquor is made from the same type of plant that produces agave syrup and tequila. The piña, or heart of the maguey plant, is squeezed to extract juices that are then fermented to make the 110-proof drink.

Where is the best mezcal made?

It can only be made in nine Mexican states, with the majority being produced in Oaxaca. While tequila can only be made from blue agave, mezcal can be made from various types, which gives each a different flavor and character.

How do I choose a mezcal?

"Mezcal can range from 38 to 55 proof, according to regulation. If you're new to drinking it, choose one at 45 proof or less: These are smoother and have less burn, so they'll help you get used to the flavors and aromas.

What should I mix with mezcal?

Simply mix a splash of mezcal with honey simple syrup (plain honey also works well!), ginger beer, fresh lime juice, and ice; give it a little stir, and you're good to go.

Does mezcal have a worm in it?

So tequila is a type of mezcal, but mezcal is not tequila, and only mezcal has worms. According to Anthony Dias Blue's Complete Book of Spirits, that "worm" is actually a larva from one of two types of moths, known as maguey worms, that live on the agave plant.