Mezcal is the original agave spirit — tequila is technically a subset of mezcal, limited to Blue Weber agave. Mezcal can be made from over 40 agave species across nine Mexican states. The roasting of the agave piña in underground pit ovens imparts the characteristic smoke, but mezcal is far more than smoke alone — it is one of the most terroir-expressive spirits in the world.
"Mezcal is like wine in that what matters is where the agave grew, what variety it is, and who made it. The smoke is just one note in an orchestra."
— Ron Cooper, Founder, Del MagueyHow It's Made
Agave piñas are roasted in conical pit ovens lined with volcanic rock and wood — the source of the smoke. The roasted piña is crushed (often by a stone tahona wheel), fermented in open wooden vats using wild yeast, and distilled in clay or copper pot stills. The result is radically more individual than industrial tequila.
Agave Varieties
Espadin (Agave angustifolia)
Roughly 90% of all mezcal. Faster-maturing (7–10 years), more sustainable. The default mezcal style: fruity, vegetal, smoky. Del Maguey Vida is the benchmark espadin for cocktails.
Tobalá & Wild Species
Wild agaves take 15–25 years to mature and cannot be cultivated at scale. They produce mezcals of extraordinary complexity — floral, mineral, sometimes savory. Rare and expensive.
Ensemble / Blends
Banhez blends espadin with barril agave — more fruit-forward, less smoky than pure espadin. An increasingly visible sub-style and an excellent cocktail base.
Bottle Guide
Six bottles, six tiers — evaluated for mixing utility.
Single-village espadin from one of Del Maguey's most complex expressions. Deep complexity from underground pit roasting.
Blends espadin with barril agave — unusually fruity and accessible. Tropical notes alongside light smoke. Excellent Margarita base.
The entry-level Del Maguey and the cocktail world's default mezcal. The balanced benchmark.
Produced in Puebla using clay pot distillation. Leaner, more mineral, sharper agave, lighter smoke than most Oaxacan expressions.
Third distillation passes through mole sauce. Chocolate, dried chiles, spice, and fruit layered under smoke. Nothing else like it.
Aaron Paul & Bryan Cranston's brand. From a reputable Zapotec village producer, but priced to reflect celebrity rather than rarity.
The Mezcal Margarita is the obvious entry point: swap Del Maguey Vida for the blanco tequila, keep everything else the same. The smoke and salt rim amplify each other.