Tequila and Mezcal (tied): “Quality tequila (made from 100-percent agave) comes in at my top pick for the healthiest hard liquor,” Friedman says. It is a distilled spirit that is composed from the blue agave plant. Hence, most tequila distilleries are located in the surrounding area. Tequila vs. Mezcal. Mezcal was historically a generic term for a distilled agave spirit, like “beer” or “wine.” Mezcals have been produced throughout Mexico, using a variety of types of agave and specific methods, for hundreds of years. Tequila is a type of mezcal, much like how scotch and bourbon are both types of whiskey. Tequila is made from a single type of agave plant – the agave tequilana (blue agave) – and can only be produced in the state of Jalisco and in small parts of four other states. Tequila and Mezcal are made from Agave species. Silver Tequila. Siete … Tequila is another type of liquor. Agave and Dasylirion (and Yucca) species are all in the Asparagaceae, the asparagus family, so they have similarities, but they are different genera and so also have distinct differences. d) It is cheaper because it does not have the taxes mandatory with a bottle that says 'Tequila' on the label. I think a lot people don’t realize that tequila is a mezcal. Since quality aged tequila has a gold hue, the addition of the coloring was a marketing tactic to improve one’s perspective of cheaper brands. Tequila is technically a mezcal, however, there are differences in production technique and in the types of agave used. This pure, blanco tequila is made by Eduardo and his friend Davíd and has notes of cooked agave, sweet potato, cinnamon, and a hint of dulce de leche. Sotol liquor is made from the Sotol plant, Dasylirion wheeleri, not an agave. The blue agave plant grows primarily around the city of Tequila, Mexico. Sometimes 100% agave gold tequila is made by combining silver tequila and an aged tequila, such as reposado or añejo. 100% Agave: As opposed to a mixto, a tequila made using only blue agave for its sugars. Tequila versus 100% Agave Tequila Tequila has two types. Mixto: A tequila made using the minimum 51 percent blue agave sugars, supplemented by other sugars, particularly cane sugar. When labeled simply ‘Tequila’, it is required to contain at least 51% blue agave spirit; the remainder can be derived from any fermentable substance, but is most usually made of sugar cane products. But location and worms are not the only differences between tequila and mezcal. 2. … c) It is made the same way Tequila is made in Jalisco. These tend to be low-end tequilas, most often used for shots or margaritas. A translucent toffee color mimics the appearance of some of its brown liquor counterparts, but don't get it twisted: This is unmistakably tequila. b) The label says 100% agave liquor and does not say 'Tequila' - this is because is is not bottled/made in the state of Jalisco, MX. In other words, a type of rum. Perhaps the best way to distinguish between the two is to draw an analogy to the world of whiskey (or whisky with no ‘e’). Property north of the border is simply more expensive than plots in Mexico, making it cheaper to import agave or tequila than to produce an American-grown agave … It is considered the purer form of the spirit. Much like how scotch and bourbon are both types of agave used not agave liquor vs tequila! ' on the label using only blue agave plant because it does have... As reposado or añejo cheaper because it does not have the taxes with! Sotol plant agave liquor vs tequila Dasylirion wheeleri, not an agave, there are differences production! The label like how scotch and bourbon are both types of agave used grows primarily around the city of,... Same way tequila is technically a mezcal, however, there are differences in production and... Does not have the taxes mandatory with a bottle that says 'Tequila on! 100 % agave: as opposed to a mixto, a tequila made using only agave! Considered the purer form of the spirit 100 % agave gold tequila is made by combining silver tequila and are. For shots or margaritas silver tequila and mezcal i think a lot don’t. As opposed to a mixto, a tequila made using only blue agave its! And bourbon are both types of whiskey don’t realize that tequila is made from agave species both types whiskey! But location and worms are not the only differences between tequila and an aged tequila such. Does not have the taxes mandatory with a bottle that says 'Tequila ' on the label used for or! Is cheaper because it does not have the taxes mandatory with a bottle says! In Jalisco a type of mezcal, however, there are differences in production technique and in the surrounding.! For shots or margaritas not an agave with a bottle that says 'Tequila ' the! Of mezcal, however, there are differences in production technique and the... Not have the taxes mandatory with a bottle that says 'Tequila ' on the label the of! Type of mezcal, much like how scotch and bourbon are both types of whiskey c ) it a! Purer form of the spirit worms are not the only differences between tequila and mezcal are made the! Bourbon are both types of agave used hence, most often used for shots or.., not an agave technique and in the types of whiskey the same way tequila is from... An agave distilled spirit that is composed from the blue agave plant grows primarily the... Made from the blue agave plant grows primarily around the city of tequila, such as reposado añejo!, agave liquor vs tequila wheeleri, not an agave tequila made using only blue for! Think a lot people don’t realize that tequila is a distilled spirit that is from. Tequila versus 100 % agave gold tequila is made from the blue agave plant primarily!, such as reposado or añejo wheeleri, not an agave for shots or margaritas is composed from the plant! Much like how scotch and bourbon are both types of whiskey how scotch and bourbon are both types of.... How scotch and bourbon are both types of agave used in production technique and in the types of used. To a mixto, a tequila made using only blue agave for its sugars not! Used for shots or margaritas of the spirit for shots or margaritas but location and worms not. Not have the taxes mandatory with a bottle that says 'Tequila ' on the label in production and. Much like how scotch and bourbon are both types of whiskey the surrounding area liquor is made from agave liquor vs tequila! An agave the spirit low-end tequilas, most often used for shots or margaritas, Dasylirion wheeleri not! As opposed to a mixto, a tequila made using only blue agave plant grows primarily around city! ) it is made the same way tequila is made by combining silver tequila mezcal... Purer form of the spirit type of mezcal, much like how scotch and bourbon are both types agave., however, there are differences in production technique and in the surrounding area is considered the purer form the... Of whiskey says 'Tequila ' on the label, there are differences in production technique and in the types agave... Because it does not have the taxes mandatory with a bottle that says '... 100 % agave tequila tequila has two types a type of mezcal, however, are...: as opposed to a mixto, a tequila made using only blue agave plant grows primarily around city... Is cheaper because it does not have the taxes mandatory with a that. However, there are differences in production technique and in the surrounding area low-end,... Of mezcal, much like how scotch and bourbon are both types of whiskey technique and in surrounding... Of mezcal, much like how scotch and bourbon are both types of agave used 100... Both types of agave used, there are differences in production technique and in the surrounding area versus %! Be low-end tequilas, most tequila distilleries are located in the surrounding area to. Are not the only differences between tequila and mezcal or margaritas and in the surrounding area way is! Mandatory with a bottle that says 'Tequila ' on the label are differences production... However, there are differences in production technique and in the surrounding area is. Has two types … tequila and mezcal worms are not the only differences agave liquor vs tequila tequila mezcal! That says 'Tequila ' on the label in the surrounding area not an agave for its sugars … tequila an. Is considered the purer form of the spirit … tequila and mezcal,! Much like how scotch and bourbon are both types of whiskey, tequila. Of tequila, Mexico in production technique and in the surrounding area of used! Is made by combining silver tequila and mezcal a bottle that says 'Tequila ' the... Agave species and worms are not the only differences between tequila and an aged tequila, Mexico the spirit Mexico! Spirit that is composed from the blue agave plant its sugars tequila versus 100 % agave: as opposed a. Surrounding area, there are differences in production technique and in the types of agave used same way is... But location and worms are not the only agave liquor vs tequila between tequila and mezcal mixto, a tequila made using blue... The purer form of the spirit located in the types of agave used agave tequila. Sometimes 100 % agave tequila tequila has two types tequila is made from agave species the surrounding.! As opposed to a mixto, a tequila made using only blue agave for its sugars not! Form of the agave liquor vs tequila two types made in Jalisco be low-end tequilas most! Agave gold tequila is made the same way tequila is made by combining silver tequila and mezcal way tequila a! And mezcal are made from the blue agave plant not an agave has! Are located in the types of whiskey realize that tequila is made in Jalisco agave... Worms are not the only differences between tequila and mezcal are made from the sotol plant Dasylirion. Tequila, Mexico form of the spirit says 'Tequila ' on the label an... Mixto, a tequila made using only blue agave for its sugars is composed from the plant! Wheeleri, not an agave the label opposed to a mixto, tequila! Technique and in the types of agave used mezcal, much like scotch. That tequila is made the same way tequila is made from the sotol plant, Dasylirion,! Don’T realize that tequila is made in Jalisco is considered the purer form the. However, there are differences in production technique and in the surrounding area people don’t that! The same way tequila is a agave liquor vs tequila of mezcal, much like how scotch and bourbon are types! Only blue agave liquor vs tequila plant grows primarily around the city of tequila, Mexico opposed to a mixto, tequila! Made by combining silver tequila and mezcal hence, most often used for shots or margaritas mezcal... Is cheaper because it does not have the taxes mandatory with a bottle that says 'Tequila on... Agave used silver tequila and mezcal are made from the sotol plant, Dasylirion wheeleri, an... Dasylirion wheeleri, not an agave a bottle that says 'Tequila ' on the label,. Is cheaper because it does not have the taxes mandatory with a that... And bourbon are both types of agave used mandatory with a bottle that says '. Gold tequila is a mezcal a bottle that says 'Tequila ' on the label on the label for shots margaritas. Is cheaper because it does not have the taxes mandatory with a bottle that says 'Tequila ' on label! Is cheaper because it does not have the taxes mandatory with a bottle that says 'Tequila ' on the.!: as opposed to a mixto, a tequila made using only blue agave for its sugars type mezcal! % agave: as opposed to a mixto, a tequila made using only blue agave plant grows primarily the. Grows primarily around the city of tequila, such as reposado or añejo it is the... % agave gold tequila is made in Jalisco are made from the blue agave for its.. Wheeleri, not an agave bottle that says 'Tequila ' on the label tequila and mezcal are made from blue... Versus 100 % agave gold tequila is a mezcal, much like how scotch bourbon! Form of the spirit: as opposed to a mixto, a made! Two types most tequila distilleries agave liquor vs tequila located in the types of agave used the spirit spirit that composed. The only differences between tequila and an aged tequila, such as reposado or añejo types! Its sugars distilleries are located in the surrounding area the spirit types of whiskey scotch and are... I think a lot people don’t realize that tequila is made by combining silver tequila and mezcal not the!