Exploring the Flavors of Mezcal

One of the questions we tend to get most from curious onlookers is - “what does mezcal taste like?”

Remember how your first glass of wine had an unfamiliar taste and it required one or even two more sips before you started to appreciate it? Exploring the flavors of Mezcal follows the same uncharted trajectory. Nothing else tastes like Mezcal. With a vocabulary on its own ("smoky," "earthy," with unique modulations such as floral, fruity, with tones of pine or even leather, etc.), stemming primarily from the early stages of its production, the whole experience is a journey on its own.

Knowing how Mezcal is made helps to better appreciate the process of creating the spirit. As with wine, Mezcal demonstrates the complexity of nuances from one batch to the other. And while these nuances may be celebrated by the wine industry, they are revered in a completely different manner from Mezcal.

WHAT DOES MEZCAL TASTE LIKE?

Because Mezcal is made from plants, it can give off many different flavors depending on their origin, the stage of their growth, and many environmental inputs influencing their characteristics.

Here at Silencio, our agave Espadin Mezcal is harvested in Oaxaca (where most Espadin agaves originate from) using traditional methods. Oaxacan agaves are said to have a more mineral, earthy flavor than other types. For these reasons, Espadin Mezcal is often the initial choice for cocktails.

Other types of agave can generate surprisingly different results. Tobasiche agave, such as the one used in our Ensamble Mezcal, carries a more herbaceous flavor with notes of cedar and botanicals. At the same time, Mexicano agave (also used in Ensamble Mezcal) is known for its balance of sweetness and savory flavors, providing a perfect counterpoint to the more plant-like Tobasiche.

WHY IS MEZCAL SMOKY?

Of course, one of the most common descriptions for Mezcal is its typical smoky flavor. While all blends of Mezcal are different, this smoky, earthen flavor is one of the most frequent commonalities, and it has a lot to do with how it's made.

While preparing Mezcal, the hearts of the agave plants (called piña) are pulled out from the rest of the plant's spiked leaves. These hearts are typically roasted inside an earthen pot, filled with wood and lined with lava rocks. This roasting is what gives Mezcal its smoky taste.

DOES MEZCAL TASTE LIKE TEQUILA?

The other most common question we get in regards to mezcal is how much it tastes like its agave-derived relative, tequila.

While both spirits are taken from the same source - agave - they tend to differentiate in flavor due to how they're made. The tequila-making process yields a sweeter taste in many blends of tequila as the agave is not roasted the same way, removing a lot of the more natural smoke present in mezcal. For more about the process and flavors behind tequila, visit Dahlia Tequila to explore Mezcal’s sister's spirit.

Much like how a Pinot Noir is different from a Cabernet Sauvignon, every Mezcal tastes differently while sharing several common characteristics that delight even the most experienced palate.

Now, the best way to figure out Mezcal's taste is to try it for yourself. Just remember one crucial point: the first sip will only clean your mouth; the actual taste unfolds with the second sip.