Give Agave a Go
Give Agave a Go
Agave spirits are one of the country's fastest-growing categories of spirits, right up there with whiskey. Tequila is undoubtedly the most popular beverage in the agave category, with mezcal not far behind and gaining fans at a rapid pace.
Though it has a reputation as a rough distilled spirit, tequila can be incredibly smooth and quite clean-tasting depending on how it's produced. Made from blue agave plants, good-quality tequila preserves the plant's sweet, vegetal and faintly floral characteristics.
Mezcal may have a reputation for being of lesser quality, but that's somewhat undeserved. Legally, mezcal must be made from at least 51% agave (sugar cane is used to make up the difference, which can give the spirit a harsher, rougher taste). The more agave used, the smoother and more pleasant mezcal tastes. Mezcal made with a higher proportion of agave typically costs more than that made with less.
Good to Know
The agave plant has adapted over thousands of years to withstand scorching heat, intense sun and limited rainfall. Spiky leaves protect its sweet center from unwelcome predators, and its long center stalk (known as a quiote) can grow up to 20 feet tall. The quiote keeps the agave's delicate seeds protected so it can bloom – something that only happens once in each plant’s lifetime.
