Tequila, Mezcal & other Mexican spirits

The classics Tequila and Mezcal - Original Mexican spirits

The first thing that probably comes to mind for everyone is Mexican tequila! But are you familiar with another specialty? Mexican mezcal? You'll find the finest brands and best quality in our online shop. And be sure to try our worm salt (Sal de Gusano or Sal de Chapulin) – that's authentic Mexico! 

Tequila is a protected spirit category and is only produced in Mexico. Of the approximately 200 agave varieties found worldwide, 150 originate in Mexico. However, only one of these may be used to produce tequila! That is the Blue Weber Agave.

Tequila is primarily produced around the town of Tequila in Jalisco, Mexico. The agave farmers are called "jimadores." Harvesting is hard work done by hand. The piñas, the heart of the agave plant, are steamed for up to three days, crushed, and then pressed. Their juice is distilled two to three times in large vats. 100% pure premium tequilas use only the extracted agave syrup to produce the alcohol. Tequilas are often also aged in oak barrels to impart more flavor and aroma. 

Mezcal - A traditionally produced Mexican spirit

Like Tequila, Mezcal is also a protected spirits category. Mezcal Mezcal is produced in seven Mexican states, most commonly in Oaxaca. Unlike tequila, approximately 28 varieties of agave are used in its production. Espadín is the most well-known of these. Like tequila, mezcal harvesters are called "jimadores." The processing of the piñas, the heart of the agave plant, is still done in a very traditional way. They are cooked in a cylindrical, underground pit lined with stones and covered with banana leaves. The piñas cook there for up to five days. Afterward, they are crushed and placed in large wooden fermentation vats, where yeast converts the sugar into alcohol. Once the mezcal is ready for distillation, it is transferred to traditional copper or clay stills and gently heated over a fire.

Mezcal must be produced exclusively using traditional methods, entirely by hand. Tequilas, on the other hand, can also be produced industrially. Significantly less mezcal is produced; for every one bottle of mezcal, approximately 100 bottles of tequila are made.

The products in this category are subject to an age restriction. They may only be consumed by those aged 18 and over.