Tequila vs Mezcal: What’s the Difference?

Tequila and mezcal are two of Mexico’s most famous agave spirits. Tequila is arguably one of the most popular spirits in the world. Whilst mezcal is much lesser known.

Both are made from agave. And they both belong to Mexico’s deep culinary and agricultural traditions. But tequila and mezcal come from different rules, regions, agave varieties, and traditions.

As a WSET Diploma holder, it was not all about wine; I have also studied tequila and mezcal, and, it so happens, a tequila essay question was even on my exam. I’ve decided to create a short guide that explains the basics: what tequila and mezcal are, how they differ, what the main styles mean, and how to read labels more confidently.

Important note: this article is intended for readers of legal drinking age only. Alcohol should be consumed responsibly, and never by minors.

What Is Tequila?

Tequila is a Mexican spirit made from Blue Weber agave, officially called Agave tequilana Weber blue variety. Under tequila regulations, tequila can be either 100% agave or simply labelled Tequila, which means at least 51% of its fermentable sugars come from Blue Weber agave, with the rest allowed to come from other sugars.

The most important thing to understand is this:

All tequila is an agave spirit, but not all agave spirits are tequila.

Tequila is tied to specific production rules and protected geographic regions, most famously Jalisco. The town of Tequila itself has become a symbol of Mexican drinking culture, but the spirit is much bigger than one town, as you can imagine.

Main Styles of Tequila

Blanco or Silver Tequila

Blanco tequila is usually unaged or very lightly rested. It is often the most direct expression of Blue Weber agave.

Typical character: fresh agave, vegetable, citrus, pepper, herbs, light spice, sometimes a crisp mineral edge.

This is the style many people associate with brighter, cleaner tequila profiles.

Reposado Tequila

Reposado means “rested.” This tequila spends time in oak, which gives it a softer, rounder profile.

Typical character: cooked agave, vanilla, gentle spice, caramel, light oak, sometimes hints of dried fruit.

Reposado can be a good middle ground for people who want agave character but also some warmth from barrel ageing.

Añejo Tequila

Añejo means “aged.” This style spends longer in oak and usually feels much smoother.

Typical character: caramel, baking spice, dried fruit, oak, vanilla, roasted agave.

Añejo tequila often appeals to people who enjoy barrel-aged spirits.

Extra Añejo Tequila

Extra añejo is aged even longer. It can become very polished and oak-driven.

Typical character: deep vanilla, chocolate, spice, dried fruit, polished wood, cooked agave.

This is usually a more premium style and can sometimes feel closer to aged rum, brandy, or whisky in texture.

What Is Mezcal?

Mezcal is also a Mexican agave spirit, but it is a much wider family than tequila.

Where tequila is made only from Blue Weber agave, mezcal can be made from many different species of agave, often called maguey in Mexico. Espadín is the most common, but mezcal can also be made from varieties such as tobalá, cuishe, arroqueño, tepeztate, madrecuixe, and others.

Mezcal’s flavour depends on the agave species, the region, the soil, the roasting method, fermentation, distillation, and the hand of the mezcalero or mezcalera.

The official mezcal framework recognises production categories such as Mezcal, Mezcal Artesanal, and Mezcal Ancestral, which describe different production methods.

Why Is Mezcal Often Smoky?

The short answer: because many mezcals are made from agave hearts that are cooked in underground or earthen pits before fermentation.

That roasting process can create smoky, earthy, roasted, and sometimes savoury flavours. But not all mezcal is aggressively smoky. Good mezcal can also be floral, tropical, herbal, mineral, mildly lactic, spicy, or deeply savoury.

The mistake is thinking mezcal is “just smoky tequila.”

It is not. Mezcal is its own world.

Main Styles of Mezcal

Joven or Blanco Mezcal

This is usually unaged mezcal and the most common style. It shows the agave, region, and production method most directly.

Typical character: roasted agave, smoke, herbs, earth, tropical fruit, minerals, pepper, hints of citrus.

Reposado Mezcal

Reposado mezcal is rested in wood. It can become softer and rounder, though many mezcal lovers prefer joven styles because they show the agave more clearly.

Typical character: smoke, vanilla, spice, roasted fruit, gentle oak.

Añejo Mezcal

Añejo mezcal spends longer in wood. It can be rich and smooth, but heavy oak can sometimes cover the wild agave character.

Typical character: cooked agave, wood spice, caramel, smoke, and hints of dried fruit.

Madurado en Vidrio

This means “matured in glass.” Some mezcals are stored in glass for an extended period, which can soften the spirit without adding oak flavour. That will be appealing to the mezcal lovers.

Tequila vs Mezcal: The Simple Difference

The easiest way to understand it:

Tequila is a specific type of Mexican agave spirit made from Blue Weber agave under tequila rules. Mezcal is a broader family of Mexican agave spirits that can be made from many agave species and often uses more traditional and artisanal roasting and production methods.

Quick Comparison

How to Read an Agave Spirit Label

For tequila, you should look for:

100% agave: This means the fermentable sugars come from Blue Weber agave.

Style: Blanco, reposado, añejo or extra añejo.

NOM number: This identifies the certified producer/distillery.

For mezcal, look for:

Agave variety: Espadín, tobalá, cuishe, tepeztate, arroqueño, and so on.

Production category: Mezcal, Mezcal Artesanal, or Mezcal Ancestral.

Region and producer: These matter hugely in mezcal because flavour is often deeply connected to place and method.

Why Agave Spirits Matter in Mexican Food Culture

Agave is not just a raw material for spirits. It is part of Mexico’s agricultural, culinary, and cultural identity.

The same wider food world that gives us nixtamalised corn, tortillas, mole, salsa, beans, chillies, and tacos also gives us agave spirits. These are not just party drinks. At their best, they are agricultural products with place, craft, and tradition behind them.

That is why tequila and mezcal deserve to be understood slowly and respectfully.

Responsible Enjoyment

Tequila and mezcal are often misunderstood because they are reduced to shots, salt, lime, smoke, or party clichés. But behind them is a much richer story: agave, land, craft, time, and Mexican tradition.

For readers of legal drinking age, the best way to understand agave spirits is not to rush, but to learn the styles, read the labels, and treat them as part of a wider food culture rather than just a drink.

At Fiesta, I’m keeping a wider range of tequilas and a selection of mezcal, too. Tequilas seem to be quite well-known and enjoyed with salt and lime or a shot of sangrita. They also range from budget brands like El Charro or Sierra, to mid-range brands like Olmeca, Jose Cuervo, El Tequileno, Sauza, Milagro and a bit more expensive premium ones like Espolon, Patron and Don Julio, just to name a few.

Mezcal is a different story: lack of knowledge doesn’t help with the demand, so the consumption remains very niche, and the prices remain quite high. We sell blanco mezcal by Perro de San Juan and 400 Conejos, and stock Nucano brand in Añejo and Reposado styles.

Visit Fiesta in Tbilisi, we also currently offer a Mezcal flight with a discount, so you can compare these different styles. 

Salud!

FAQ

Is mezcal the same as tequila?

No. Tequila is made from Blue Weber agave under tequila regulations. Mezcal is a broader category of Mexican agave spirits that can be made from many different agave species.

Is all mezcal smoky?

No. Many mezcals have smoky notes because of traditional roasting methods, but mezcal can also be fruity, floral, herbal, mineral, spicy, earthy, or savoury.

What does 100% agave mean?

For tequila, 100% agave means the fermentable sugars come from Blue Weber agave. Tequila that is not labelled 100% agave may contain up to 49% other fermentable sugars.

What is the best tequila style for beginners?

From an educational point of view, blanco tequila is often the clearest expression of agave, while reposado gives a softer, oak-influenced profile.

What is the best mezcal style for beginners?

Joven mezcal is the most direct way to understand agave, region, and production style, especially when comparing different agave varieties.