Mezcal Artesanal 3 Year Old Mexicat. 100% Agave

Mezcal is the name for the family of Mexican alcoholic spirits distilled from various species of the Agave genus, known as Maguey. Tequila, is often decribed as a sub-category of Mezcal. The former has a specific zone of production, and is only made from a specific variety of the Agave tequiliana species.

Unlike Tequila, Mezcal is produced in eight regions all over Mexico, although most is made in Oaxaca. Its origins goes back to the Spanish conquistadors, who created the drink when they ran out of brandy. An earlier alcoholic drink called Pulque had been made in Mexico from fermented agave, but the distillation process is unlikely to have been used before European arrival.

The production laws for Mezcal list five species of agave which are used. These are A. angustifola (colloquially known as espadin), A. asperrima (maguey de cerro), A. weberi (maguey de mezcal), A. petatorum (tobala) and A. salmiana (magiey verde o mezcalero). However any agave with the necessary sugar content which grows in the eight regions may be used. It is estimated that, in practice, around 30 to 50 species are used. Only the piña, or heart, of the plant is used They usually take around seven years to mature. When ready to harvest, a Maguey plant can weigh up to 90 pounds (40kg).

The strong and smoky flavour of Mezcal comes from a cooking process that can last several days. This is done after harvest in an earthen oven or enclosed barrel that allows the flavour to develop over an extended period. The cooked piña is then sliced, mashed and left to ferment in some form of water-filled tank. A number of food items may be added to the mash to add flavour, ranging from various fruits and spices through to vegetables and, in some instances, cured meats.

Mezcal is traditionally drunk straight. However, in recent years various Mezcal cocktails have been created. This would seem to be partly justified by the greater smokiness which Mezcal contributes to a recipe, when compared to Tequila. Demand for "artesanal" Mezcal also reflect an association by some drinkers between big-brand Tequila and youthful indiscretions.