More than 200 unique species of agave grow in Mexico, but the exact number used to make mezcal is difficult to define. “Many people say ‘around 20’ very confidently, but ultimately, it falls ...

Sydney Block, co-founder of Catedral de Mi Padre Mezcal, agrees. “The type of agave is very important to the taste of the finished mezcal — it is one of the differentiating factors between ...

Tequila is a type of mezcal (just like scotch is a type of whisky). There are approximately 30 types of agave plants that contain enough natural sugars to make mezcal.

Making better mezcal cocktails starts with reading the bottle a little more closely. Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christine Keely For all the brands ...

"Agave isn’t a healthier choice than any other sweetener," Messer says, "but the choice often comes down to personal preference and specific dietary needs as each type of sweetener brings its ...

And like wine, agave flavor also varies based on species, wild yeasts, distillation vessels (copper versus the more traditional clay, which date back to at least the 1600s), and terroir.