Tequila vs Mezcal: What's the Difference?

Agave rules everything

Tequila must be made from blue Weber agave and produced in specific regions, mainly Jalisco. Mezcal can be made from more than thirty types of agave and is produced across nine Mexican states, with Oaxaca being the best known.

That difference in agave variety is what gives mezcal its wider flavour range. Tequila is more consistent by design; mezcal is allowed to be more expressive.

The smoke question

Mezcal is traditionally roasted in underground pits, which gives many bottles a smoky, earthy character. Not every mezcal is smoky, but smoke is the signature most people notice first.

Tequila is steamed in ovens or autoclaves, so it stays cleaner and fruitier. If you want smoke, choose mezcal. If you want citrus and pepper, choose tequila.

How to drink each one

Blanco tequila is for margaritas and shots. Reposado and añejo tequila work for sipping or elevated cocktails. Casamigos Blanco, 1800 Blanco and Don Julio Blanco are all solid mixing bottles carried by BottlesNow.

Mezcal is best sipped neat or in a cocktail where smoke is welcome, like a Mezcal Negroni or a Oaxaca Old Fashioned. It is not the default for a party margarita unless your crowd likes bold flavours.

Which one to buy

Buy tequila if you want reliability, mixability and crowd appeal. Buy mezcal if you want something to sip slowly and talk about. Price is not always the deciding factor — a good blanco tequila can cost less than an entry mezcal and still be the right bottle for the night.

For a home bar, one blanco tequila covers most needs. Add mezcal only when you are ready to explore beyond margaritas.

Common questions