6 Best Mezcal Brands to Try
Mezcal Brands, just like tequila, is an agave distillate. In recent years this drink has gained more popularity than ever before. The United States is the largest market of mezcal globally, followed by Mexico, the home country where it is brewed. It is a drink that has taken the market with a bang and gained a lot of customers than many conventional ones.
It is true that by now, you may have heard about this drink from either your local liquor store or from a drink menu of any bar or restaurant. Like many people out there, you are trying to understand the hype behind this drink and try some of the greatest mezcal.
Difference Between Mezcal and Tequila
Many people are confused about mezcal and how it relates to tequila. The truth is both drinks are derived from agave. Tequila is distilled from blue Weber agave; on the other hand, mezcal is made from more than 30 types. It is thus clear that tequila is a category of Mezcal Brands.
Furthermore, the two drinks taste differently. Tequila has a sweet taste from the blue weber agave, while mezcal has a smokey flavor derived from its underground brewing technique. It is this flavor that makes it worthy of finding mezcal to try.
Moreover, the two drinks are brewed in different locations. Tequila has only produced the state of Jalisco in Mexico and uses the blue agave grown here. On the other hand, mezcal is made in nine different Mexican states. Its use of different agaves gives it a range of flavors and tastes.
Best Mezcal Brands to Try
By now, you may be looking for the best mezcal to add to your bar cart. There are hundreds of brands out there, but we have rounded ix of the best brands of mezcal to try.
Rey CamperoTepextate
It is a brand that has been produced for more than 70 years. Its name means the king of the countryside, and it was coined from a collective effort of brothers, cousins, and nephews. This name reflects the relationship between the people and the landscape of Candelaria Yegolé, a village where Marmorata agave grows.
In addition, to its name, the brand goes through a well-orchestrated production cycle to ensure its quality. It is made from wild agave, which is cooked for 4-5 days underground. Also, It is then allowed to air ferment for about 12 days. It is then put in copper pots, where it produces a delicious elixir which is the source of its unique taste.
Espadín: Gracias a Dios
It first appeared in the market in 2010. It is made by Oscar Hernandez Santiago, who is said to have learned this skill from his mother. This Mezcal Brands is made in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca because it is the state where Espadín agave grows and its main ingredient.
Apart from the agave used, the production of this drink is what makes it unique. People who brew it are so passionate about their work. The glass is artisanal, where everything is done by hand, giving the producers a personal touch to the drink.
NETA Espadin
This is a brand first produced in 2015 by Candido García Cruz, a fourth-generation distiller. The Mezcalero uses quiotudo agaves, which means he cuts plats before they flower. At this stage, the agave has its sugar concentrated in the piña before distributing it to the reproduction.
The concentrated sugar leads to better yield and hastens the fermentation process. Candido allows the drink to ferment for 16 days before distillation. It is this step that gives this mezcal its delicious taste.
Ensamble Mezcal
Unlike other Mezcal Brands, the ensemble is made from two or more agave species fermented together in a single batch. It is a drink that has gained more popularity, especially among the Mexicans. According to them, they say this is the most traditional way of producing mezcal.
Moreover, it differs from other varieties because it uses sustainably grown agaves, unlike the others harvested in the wild. Mixing different agaves give the drink a different flavor profile, unlike the other types that only taste the agave used to produce them.
El Silencio Espadin
It is a mezcal drink produced using 10-12 years old espadin agave. It is a handmade drink that is designed in small batches by mezcalero Pedro Hernandez. The glass has a well-balanced sweetness making it a good choice for mezcal to try.
El Silencio Espadin is the best mezcal for a cocktail or drinking on its own. It is packaged in sleek black bottles that give it a distinctive appearance. This bottle is also perfectly made and sized that it can fit in your liquor cabinet. Moreover, it is a cost-effective drink you can enjoy by yourself or with your friends.
Doña Vega Mezcal Espadín
This is a drink produced in Santiago Matatlan, by a distilling family run by a mother and three daughters. Mezcal is unique mezcal because it is triple distilled from organically grown agave. This distillation process gives its smoothness without compromising its taste.
The drink serves well when used in a cocktail or sipped on its own. Its wild flavor is best experienced when the mezcal is drunk at room temperature. Another advantage of this drink is its perfect quality. The producers monitor its quality from as early as growing the agape to the production and packaging stages.
While not the end-all, be-all of the best Mezcal Brands to try, this list will give you an excellent place to start – and at a great value. You can afford to start stocking up your bar with an array of complex flavors and smooth finishes when you pick from this list. Check out our selection of engraved barware, we have great glasses for Mezcal and even decanters for storing your new spirit check out a link here to see all our designs.
