There’s more to Mexican spirits than tequila
From mezcal to sotól, the agave plant delivers a bounty of styles and flavours to explore
TL;DR
- Agave spirits are distilled from the fermented heart (piña) of the agave plant.
- Tequila is the most famous agave spirit, but hundreds of mezcals and other spirits like sotól, raicilla, and bacanora exist.
- The quality of Mexican food and drink in the UK has improved, with tequila becoming the UK's fastest-growing spirit.
- When choosing tequila, look for '100% blue agave' on the label and avoid celebrity brands.
- Mezcal has a distinct flavor, often described with 'tyre-fire notes', while sotól is praised for its herby, grassy, and piney characteristics.