Monte Alban Mezcal, 70cl

Product Information

Remember that it is not the authentic Mezcal: the worm adds flavor and usually it masks lousy flavors. Basically if you only have enough agave to create 100 bottles of tequila, why not half that and top it up with cheap sugar to double your yield. BARREL AGED - Rooster Rojo Reposado's gold colour comes from being aged for 2 months or more in French oak barrels before being bottled. This provides the spirits with a smoother taste while the wood adds hints of orange rind, enriching the flavour But since mezcal worms have only appeared in commercially sold bottles since the 1940s and 50s, as mentioned earlier, the second argument isn’t entirely convincing. Turns out, you’ve been misled. Yes, tequila worms are real. And yes, you can still find them in bottles. There are a couple of things you need to know, though.

We @Agavache have a commitment to educate about the sensorial qualities of mezcal and the history and traditions around it. We know that Mezcal with a worm is an intriging topic and we’ll give you some advise because, Yes, of course! We have drank it. The fermented juice is then double distilled. Once to create mezcal and once to soften and perfect the flavours. The interesting way mezcal producer test the ABV Which can be difficult, especially in the UK where good mezcal is either non existent or vastly overpriced. But don’t worry, you can still buy good mezcal at a reasonable price here in the UK. Vegan alcohol includes spirits, beer, wine and cider which are free from animal products. Like the food we eat, vegans choose to avoid non-vegan alcohol and any products with animal-derived ingredients. The most common non-vegan ingredients in alcohol are isinglass, made from the dried swim bladders of fish, gelatine, made from boiled bones, flesh and ligaments, casein, a protein derived from cow’s milk, and albumin from egg whites.Mezcal is still today very traditional. There is nothing techy about it, I mean come on, they crush the agave using a horse. It doesn’t get less techy then that! An even simpler way to think of it is that Mezcal is like whisky. Whisky is an umbrella term that covers a whole range of styles, Bourbon is not the same as Scotch but it still falls under the term whisky. In that likening, whisky is mezcal and bourbon is Tequila. Although on the surface they seem very similar, they are quite different. For one Mezcal can be made with a variety of 25 different agave species, while Tequila has to be made with a certain species of agave. Which technically means - All Tequila is Mezcal but not all Mezcal is Tequila. Just like how all Jacuzzis are hot tubs but not all hot tubs are Jacazzis… Aged one to three years, añejos are smooth and rich, with more flavour contributions from the barrel.

None. That’s right, no tequila has a worm in it. That's another common misconception. The Mexican spirit that has a worm in that bottom is actually as you’ve probably guessed by now Mezcal. Tequila and mezcal are quite similar as covered in my article on the difference between them Tequila and Mezcal, so the misunderstanding is acceptable.

Cocktails

I’d love to talk about and appreciate mezcal without having to mention Tequila but alas, that’s just the way it is. If you’ve read my Tequila 101 guide: Everything you need to know about Tequila’ which is structured the same as this guide just about tequila, you will now be fully understanding of both spirits. The differences are the species of agave used and the production methods involved. The guide on Mezcal will give you an understanding of how that method differs from tequila production. I’ve also covered Bacanora and Raicilla in an article on agave spirits that are NOT tequila.

In the same way, Tom Bullok explains in his book “The Mezcal experience” that Monte Alban Mezcal followed Gusano Rojo with its worm practice and maintained a prolonged advertising campaign in Playboy issues during the 1970s. It cemented the idea in the male western mind that Mezcal with a worm was in fact, the real Mezcal. Tequila can either be made in small batches or mass-produced, whereas mezcal is made on a much smaller scale with a traditional process. Taste wise it’s got all the smoke you want from Mezcal with added grassy notes thanks to the espadin agave. You won’t find any insects floating in any bottle of tequila (unless they’ve been invaded by thirsty critters while you weren’t looking), but rather in tequila’s sibling agave spirit, mezcal. And the so-called “worm” isn’t a worm at all, but rather a moth larva. The species, gusano de maguey, actually calls the agave plant home before it transforms into a moth. However, Tequila is more than just a party drink, its full of history, tradition and flavour. This association as a party drink is something that westerners very much have created themselves.

Cider

Mezcal is a spirit we’re seeing more and more of in todays western world. But a lot about Mezcal still seems to be somewhat of a mystery. Questions like, is Mezcal Tequila? where does Mezcal come from and what makes Mezcal Mezcal? are constantly being asked.