Mezcal is any spirit distilled from agave in Mexico, which makes tequila a type of mezcal rather than its opposite. The practical difference is that tequila uses one agave and one production method, while mezcal uses dozens of agaves and is mostly made in small batches by family producers. That variety is the reason two bottles on this page can taste nothing alike. We carry 37 mezcals from 21 producers, from around $22 up to $400. We ship to most states, with an adult 21 or older required to sign at delivery.
Mezcal and Tequila Are Not Opposites
Tequila has to be made from blue Weber agave, almost entirely in Jalisco, and the agave is usually steamed in industrial ovens. Mezcal can be made from more than thirty agave species across nine Mexican states, and the agave is roasted in underground pits lined with hot rocks and wood.
That pit roasting is where the smoke comes from. It isn't added, and it isn't the point. Smoke is a byproduct of how the agave is cooked, and the amount varies enormously between producers. Plenty of mezcal is barely smoky at all. If you tried one once and found it overwhelming, you tried one bottle, not the category. For the tequila side, tequila has the full range.
Mezcal Brands We Carry
Sombra. Oaxacan espadín, restrained smoke, the bartender's default.
Union. An ensamble built for mixing rather than sipping, and priced accordingly.
Los Vecinos. Oaxacan espadín and tobalá at the best value on the page.
Madre Mezcal. Espadín blended with cuishe, soft and approachable, also sold in a 200ml.
Animas. Straightforward espadín, clean and mid-priced.
Metiche 49. Artesanal joven, bright and vegetal.
Burrito Fiestero. Durango wild agaves including masparillo and tepemete, more mineral than Oaxacan espadín.
The Lost Explorer. Single-varietal bottlings across espadín, salmiana and tobalá, polished and well packaged.
Clase Azul. The ceramic decanter brand, Durango and Guerrero expressions, bought as much for presentation as liquid.
Los Siete Misterios. Traditional small-batch Oaxacan production, one of the more respected names in the category.
El Mero Mero. Artesanal joven at two price points.
Firme. Espadín artesanal, straightforward and dry.
Palomo. Oaxacan espadín joven, unaged and direct.
El Pintor. Artesanal espadín from a smaller producer.
Mama Chuy. Madrecuishe, a wild agave that takes well over a decade to mature.
Granalta, La Tierra De Acre and Luneta. Single-bottle producers rounding out the shelf.
Which of these is right for you depends on what you want it to do, and we go through that properly in our guide to the best mezcal.
How to Drink Mezcal
Neat, at room temperature, in a wide glass or a clay veladora. Sipped rather than shot, since the proof and the aromatics both reward slowing down. In Oaxaca it's served with orange slices and sal de gusano, a chili and agave worm salt that cuts the smoke and works better than it sounds.
It also mixes well. A mezcal margarita or an Oaxaca Old Fashioned uses the smoke as a structural element rather than a novelty. If you're mixing, an espadín at the lower end of the price range is the sensible choice; the wild agave bottles get lost under citrus.
Mezcal FAQ
What is the difference between mezcal and tequila?
Tequila is made from blue Weber agave, mostly in Jalisco, with steam-cooked agave. Mezcal can use thirty-plus agave species across nine states and roasts the agave in underground pits, which is where the smoke comes from.
Is all mezcal smoky?
No. Smoke is a byproduct of pit roasting, not an added flavor, and the intensity varies widely by producer. Some bottles are heavily smoky, others barely at all.
What is espadín mezcal?
Espadín is the most widely cultivated agave for mezcal, maturing in roughly seven to eight years. It's the most available and most affordable style, and the sensible starting point.
Why is wild agave mezcal more expensive?
Because wild agaves like tobalá and madrecuishe can't be farmed efficiently and take anywhere from twelve to thirty years to mature. Each bottle represents far more time and far less yield.
Does mezcal really have a worm in it?
Traditional mezcal doesn't. The larvae in some bottles is a mid-century marketing addition, not a mark of quality. Sal de gusano, the worm salt served alongside, is a separate and genuinely traditional thing.
Can mezcal be shipped to my state?
We ship to most U.S. states, typically within a few business days. Someone 21 or older has to sign at delivery. Availability is confirmed at checkout, since a handful of states restrict direct spirits shipments.