The Best Mezcal Brands
- Del Maguey Chichicapa Mezcal. …
- Ilegal Mezcal Anejo. Courtesy Ilegal Mezcal. …
- Montelobos Tobalá Courtesy ReserveBar. …
- El Silencio. Courtesy ReserveBar. …
- Mezcal Rey Campero Tepextate. Courtesy Drizly. …
- Casamigos Joven. Courtesy Casamigos. …
- The Lost Explorer Mezcal Espadin. Reserve Bar. …
- Santo Mezquila. Courtesy Drizly.
Besides, How do you drink mezcal?
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. This will open your palate and allow your taste buds to adjust to the initial burning sensation.
Also, 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. … First, mezcal production is the most labor intensive spirits process you will ever encounter; from start to finish, this is about as “farm to bottle” as you get.
Herein, Is mezcal stronger than tequila? No, not necessarily. It just has a reputation as one of the stronger spirits. Many people find that the taste of mezcal is usually stronger than that of tequila, but that’s another matter. Tequila and mezcal are both in the range of about 38% to 55% ABV (Alcohol by Volume), which is 76-110 proof.
Is mezcal healthier than tequila?
Mezcal can be considered cleaner and more pure than tequila, especially if the later is mixed with artificial sugar and way to many margarita mixers. When it comes to health, wellness, and alcohol, consider balance and sip in moderation – mezcal included.
24 Related Questions and Answers
Why does mezcal taste so bad?
Some bartenders feel the descriptor undercuts the spirit: Mezcal can taste a little charred because of the way it’s produced, but you might also try some with floral, fruity, or earthy notes. A lot of it comes down to the specific agave plant—where it is, what variety it is, and when and how it was harvested.
Does mezcal make you hallucinate?
Yes, some bottles of mezcal include a creepy crawly surprise at the bottom, but no, it won’t make you hallucinate if you drink mezcal and eat it.
Where is the best mezcal made?
Mezcal is made from an array of different agaves in 13 different Mexican states. Most Americans know the mezcal of Oaxaca, where Espadín agave is roasted in a hole in the ground to prepare it for distilling, resulting in a smoky spirit.
Is mezcal sold in the US?
Pernod Ricard’s Del Maguey brand remains the largest-selling mezcal brand in the U.S., after a 39% increase to 59,000 case depletions last year, according to Impact Databank. That was nearly twice as much as its nearest competitors, Ilegal from Bacardi USA and Banhez from CNI Brands.
Is mezcal good for margaritas?
It also happens to be especially delicious in a Margarita. Paired with just a touch of agave syrup and fresh lime, the mezcal reveals savory, vegetal notes (almost like a blanco tequila) and flavors of wet stone, cinnamon, grapefruit peel and white pepper.
Is mezcal a psychedelic?
Because mezcal sounds like mescaline, the psychedelic drug, it’s surely hallucinogenic. Furthermore, it comes from the Mexican state of Oaxaca, where counterculture folk go to munch on magic mushrooms. This, of course, is calumny. Like tequila, mezcal is a liquor distilled from the heart of the agave plant.
Why is there a worm in mezcal?
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. These larvae are called gusano and bottles of mezcal that contain the lil guys are referred to as con gusano.
Should you chill mezcal?
Mistake: Serving Mezcal Chilled
Mezcal is best sipped at room temperature. Like most American whiskeys (especially bourbon), mezcal contains a lot of natural congeners. These compounds are essentially what give the spirit its flavor, and chilling dulls these compounds.
How can you tell if mezcal is bad?
How to tell if mezcal has gone bad? The shelf life of mezcal is indefinite, but if mezcal develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, it should be discarded for quality purposes.
Is mezcal a stimulant?
Is Mezcal a Stimulant? Mezcal can give you the euphoric and energized feeling the same way that stimulants do. This is likely because Mezcal is pure, 100% agave, and free of any additives or sweeteners (like the different flavors infused into other alcohols, like vodka).
Do all mezcal have worms?
The higher the percentage of blue agave, the finer the bottle. So tequila is a type of mezcal, but mezcal is not tequila, and only mezcal has worms. … These larvae are called gusano and bottles of mezcal that contain the lil guys are referred to as con gusano.
What is the most expensive mezcal?
- El Jolgorio Tobasiche, $150 at K&L. …
- Mezcalosfera de Mezcaloteca, $160 at K&L Wines. …
- Koch El Mezcal Coyote, $170 at Zee Tequila. …
- Real Minero Pechuga, $170 at K&L. …
- Del Maguey Pechuga, $180 at K&L. …
- Pierde Almas Conejo and Pierde Almas Pechuga, both $200 at Zee. …
- Del Maguey Ibercio, $200 at K&L.
Why is there a worm in mezcal Tequila?
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. These larvae are called gusano and bottles of mezcal that contain the lil guys are referred to as con gusano.
How long does mezcal last once opened?
The answer to that question is a matter of quality, not safety, assuming proper storage conditions – when properly stored, a bottle of mezcal has an indefinite shelf life, even after it has been opened.
Does mezcal get you high?
Is Mezcal a Stimulant? 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.
Why do they put a worm in mezcal?
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.
What is best to mix with mezcal?
While it’s delicious on its own, we also love to pair mezcal with fresh citrus (or pineapple!) or savory vegetables or flavorful, tannic teas. It’s lovely with bittersweet amaro and with spiced liqueurs, with earthy honey and with smoked salt.
What can I mix mezcal with?
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.
Is Cointreau better than Triple Sec?
Triple Sec is both the name of a category and also refers to an inexpensive, lower quality orange liqueur. Cointreau has a stronger, smoother and more complex flavor vs Triple Sec. It’s slightly more expensive and higher in alcohol level.
