Traditionally any spirit distilled from agave is a Mezcal, so Tequila is a type of Mezcal. The first Tequilas were even called Vinos de Mezcal, that’s right, Mezcal Wines!
But: Tequila can be made only in and around the Mexican state of Jalisco out of Blue Agave and is roasted above ground. That leads to a very specific set of flavours and that’s what Tequila enthusiasts like.
As distinguished from Tequila the legal definition of Mezcal is a drink distilled from about 20 types of agave, in eight states across Mexico. Traditionally it’s made in almost every Mexican state from a wider variety of agaves. It’s even made in Jalisco, the home of Tequila, but has a different name there, Raicilla – “little root.”
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