Is mezcal illegal in the US?

Is Mezcal Tequila Illegal? There is no such thing as an illegal act. The practice wasn't legal at one point. (It would not be legal to export mezcal until 2006, when John Rexer, owner of Illegal Mezcal, had decided to sell mezcal in his Antigua, Guatemala, bar.

Can you get mezcal in the US?

This is our ever expanding list of artisanal mezcal and destilados de agave that are available in the US retail market. You can order most of these mezcals through our retail partner Old Town Liquor, or see our list here for retail locations close to you.

Is mezcal tequila illegal?

It's Ilegal, not illegal.

When bar owner and future Ilegal Mezcal founder John Rexer decided he wanted to sell mezcal in his Antigua, Guatemala bar, mezcal was not yet a legal export. (This was 2003, and mezcal wouldn't become available for legal export until 2006.)

What states can make mezcal?

The Denomination of Origin for Mezcal (DOM) defines mezcal as exclusively Mexican, and that it may be produced specified parts of the states of Oaxaca, Guerrero, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Zacatecas, San Luís Potosí, Tamaulipas, Durango and Puebla.

Does mezcal get you high?

Is Mezcal a Stimulant? Mezcal can give you the euphoric and energized feeling the same way that stimulants do. This is likely because Mezcal is pure, 100% agave, and free of any additives or sweeteners (like the different flavors infused into other alcohols, like vodka).

How

Is mezcal the healthiest alcohol?

Though there are health benefits to it, calling mezcal healthy may be a stretch. No liquor is really healthy, but some are certainly better than others. Mezcal is at the top of the list of healthier spirits available in the US.

Is mezcal stronger than tequila?

It just has a reputation as one of the stronger spirits. Many people find that the taste of mezcal is usually stronger than that of tequila, but that's another matter. Tequila and mezcal are both in the range of about 38% to 55% ABV (Alcohol by Volume), which is 76-110 proof.

Why is mezcal so special?

The main difference between Mezcal and Tequila is the flavor profile. Mezcal has a distinct smoky flavor that gives it a clear distinction from tequila. The smokiness of mezcal is a stylistic feature unique to different regions and small producers. Mezcal is a vital piece of Oaxacan mythology and tradition.

Can mezcal be made outside of Mexico?

Usually, mezcal is produced in the Oaxaca region of Mexico; however, it's possible to produce it anywhere in the country. Oaxaca is a traditional place to make mezcal. The agave plant, on the other hand, can produce over 30 types of mezcal.

How is mezcal different from tequila?

Tequila is typically produced by steaming the agave inside industrial ovens before being distilled two or three times in copper pots. Mezcal, on the other hand, is cooked inside earthen pits that are lined with lava rocks and filled with wood and charcoal before being distilled in clay pots.

Does Bacardi own Ilegal Mezcal?

Bacardi took a minority stake in Ilegal mezcal in 2017, adding the brand to its portfolio just as the category began to pick up steam in the U.S. market. Mezcal has continued to grow rapidly from its small base with Ilegal playing a key role, led by founder John Rexer, who remains at the head of the business.

Is mezcal legal in Mexico?

And while true tequila can only be made in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, mezcal can be made (legally) in nine Mexican states (although most of it comes from Oaxaca), and the liquor can use a range of about 30 types of agave. Tequila, on the other hand, must come from the Jalisco region and use at least 51% blue agave.

Does all mezcal have a worm?

So tequila is a type of mezcal, but mezcal is not tequila, and only mezcal has worms. According to Anthony Dias Blue's Complete Book of Spirits, that "worm" is actually a larva from one of two types of moths, known as maguey worms, that live on the agave plant.

Can you buy mezcal in Texas?

Susto's mezcal bottles can be found at retail shops like the Austin Shaker, Davenport Wine & Spirits, and select Twin Liquors locations, as well as at the bars of Austin restaurants like Kome, Red's Porch, L'Oca D'oro, and Last Straw.

Does mezcal give you a hangover?

A common misconception about tequila is that it does not cause hangovers. Dr. Forrelli clarified that while any alcohol consumption that is taxing to the body will always cause negative aftereffects, single-ingredient mezcals ingested without mixers may be more easily digestible, minimizing hangover symptoms. Dr.

Can you drink mezcal straight?

The best way to drink mezcal straight is without ice. Serving mezcal straight at room temperature is the best way to experience its colorful flavors and aromas. Take a sip and swish it around in your mouth. This will open your palate and allow your taste buds to adjust to the initial burning sensation.

Can you grow agave in the United States?

The soil and climate conditions for agave production are prime in the southwestern United States. Agave tequilana could feasibly be harvested in the warmest areas of Southern California and Arizona, as it needs a frost-free environment to thrive.

What is tequila called if not made in Mexico?

2. Where does tequila come from? Tequila is only produced inside the Mexican state of Jalisco and in some municipalities in Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. Any agave-based distilled spirit outside those regions are called "mezcal." Other subtypes of mezcal you might see are Bacanora, Sotol and Raicilla.

Why is there a worm in mezcal?

So, why is there a worm in mezcal? Larvae began appearing in mezcal bottles in the 1950s, when a mezcal maker discovered a moth larvae in a batch of his liquor and thought the stowaway improved its taste. He started adding “worms” to all his bottles as a marketing strategy.

Is mezcal healthier than tequila?

Mezcal can be considered cleaner and more pure than tequila, especially if the later is mixed with artificial sugar and way to many margarita mixers. When it comes to health, wellness, and alcohol, consider balance and sip in moderation – mezcal included.

Does mezcal make you drunk?

Does Mezcal Get You High? You can experience the same feeling of euphoria and energized when you use mezcal as you do when you use stimulants. As a result, Mezcal has no additives or sweeteners, unlike other alcoholic beverages (like vodka which does have different flavors infusions).

Who drinks mezcal?

Mezcal Is The 'World's Most Artisanal Spirit'

Mezcal may be new for you, but it's an ancestral spirit for Mexicans and is more than a thousand years old.”

Is mezcal like moonshine?

Unlike tequila, mezcal doesn't come from a gleaming factory but is made in small batches in primitive copper alembic and sometimes clay pot stills. “Mezcal is the moonshine of Mexico,” says Raul Yrastorza of the dedicated downtown L.A. mezcal and tequila bar Las Perlas.

Is mezcal high proof?

Is Mezcal Higher Proof Than Tequila? Although mezcal has the same 80 proof / 40% alcohol as Tequila, it's more intense because of the bold flavor of wild agaves. And the kicker is that MANY Mezcals are stronger than Tequilas with the same 80 proof.

How should mezcal be served?

Sip it neat

“The best way to drink mezcal will always be clean, in small sips similar to small kisses, always accompanied by a little water to cleanse the palate and hydrate,” Medina says. “In this way you can appreciate the different flavors and aromas of mezcal.”