Mezcal

A distilled alcoholic beverage made from any type of agave plant native to Mexico. The word mezcal comes from Nahuatl mexcalli and ixcalli which means "oven-cooked agave".

The agave grows in many parts of Mexico, though most mezcal is made in Oaxaca. It can also be made in Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, and the recently approved Michoacan. A saying attributed to Oaxaca regarding the drink is: "Para todo mal, mezcal, y para todo bien, también." ("For every ill, Mezcal, and for every good as well.").

It is unclear whether distilled drinks were produced in Mexico before the Spanish Conquest. The Spaniards were introduced to native fermented drinks such as pulque, also made from the agave plant. Soon, the conquistadors began experimenting with the agave plant to find a way to make a distillable fermented mash. The result was mezcal.

Today, mezcal is still made from the heart of the agave plant, called the piña, much the same way it was 200 years ago, in most places. In Mexico, mezcal is generally consumed straight and has a strong smoky flavor. Though mezcal is not as popular as tequila (made specifically from the blue agave in select regions of the country), Mexico does export the product, mostly to Japan and the United States, and exports are growing.

Del Maguey Vida Mezcal

Mezcal Vida is twice distilled and unblended from 100% Agave Espadin, and is produced the original, 400-year-old organic, hand-crafted way.

Aroma Spicy and smoky nose with hints of light citrus and hazelnut.

Initial Taste Spiced, fruity palate. Smoked almond, a little light peach juice and hints of potpourri and mixed spices.

Finish Tobacco and cinnamon on the tail.