National Tequila Day – Mezcal vs Tequila
Everybody knows Tequila. But what about Mezcal? Can you tell the difference? Let me be your spiritual guide of this handy 101 to agave spirits.
1. Mind-Blowing Fact: Tequila is a type of mezcal but not all mezcal is tequila.
Tequila can be made from just one agave type of plant: Blue Weber Agave. The smoky cousin Mezcal can be produced from up to 50 species of agave plant. Espadín is the most commonly sourced variety for mezcal, whereas Tobalá and Salmiana belong to rarer mezcal varieties.
2. Learn The Spirit Map: Tequila and Mezcal are produced in different regions
You can call it mezcal only if the spirit is made in one of these nine Mexican states: Durango, Guerrero, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Puebla, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas, with the majority of mezcals being made in the mystical valleys of Oaxaca.
Tequila is produced in the following five regions: Michoacán, Guanajuato, Nayarit, Tamaulipas and Jalisco, which is where the actual town of Tequila is located.
3. Process Is The Key: They are made differently
Both tequila and mezcal are made from the harvested core of the agave plant, otherwise known as the “Pina”. Tequila is produced by steaming the agave inside industrial ovens before being distilled two or three times in copper pots. Mezcal is cooked inside earthen pits that are lined with lava rocks and filled with wood and charcoal before being distilled. Some large-scale mezcal producers have adopted modern methods, whereas artisanal mezcal makers such as The Lost Explorer Mezcal continue to use more traditional methods, which is the source of the smokiness commonly associated with mezcal.
4. Embrace The Holy Trinity: Patience, time and curiosity
The Lost Explorer wizards believe that the biggest difference between tequila and mezcal comes down to patience, time and curiosity. The agave used in The Lost Explorer Mezcal is grown for 8-12 years, and much like age statements on whisky, the agave age is stated on each bottle of The Lost Explorer Mezcal.
5. Different Enjoyment: ‘Sip it curiously’
Says Deano Moncrieffe, Brand Ambassador for The Lost Explorer Mezcal. It should be enjoyed at room temperature so you can really experience the smoky flavours. Tequila can be enjoyed in a number of ways. Drink it like a Mexican, straight, in small sips or mix into a Margarita or Paloma cocktail.
Congratulations, you have graduated to be a Mezcal expert. Celebrate with a delicious cocktail to impress everyone:
The Lost and Mojito
INGREDIENTS
45 ml The Lost Explorer Espadín Mezcal | 30 ml Simple syrup | 30 ml Lime Juice | 8-10 Mint leaves | Club soda
METHOD
Muddle all ingredients except club soda. Pour into a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with a sprig of fresh peppermint. Leave regular mojitos in the past.
Watch how to make The Lost and Mojito here
About The Lost Explorer Mezcal
The Lost Explorer Mezcal is a handcrafted artisanal spirit made from 100% agave, cultivated in the sun-soaked Valles Centrales, Oaxaca in Mexico. It is a toast to empowering sustainable Mexican enterprise, whilst protecting the ancient artisanal craft, heritage and biodiversity of Mexico. Harvested in harmony with the elements and in tune with the rhythm of nature, the three uniquely profiled expressions, Espadín, Tobalá and Salmiana, seek to inspire people to celebrate the earth and live curiously, exploring the wonder and diversity of the sacred agave plant.
Stockists and RRPs
The Lost Explorer Espadín RRP: £62.50 for 70cl.
The Lost Explorer Tobalá RRP: £109.99 for 70cl.
The Lost Explorer Salmiana RRP: £140 for 70cl.
