While tequila is Mexico’s most famous spirit by far, it’s not the only one produced in the central American country. A clutch of others also exist, with the majority also made from agave, just as tequila is. As consumer awareness and appreciation of tequila grows, a ripple effect is occurring across these other spirits categories, as new products make their way beyond Mexico’s borders.
So what are these spirits, and what sets them apart? Let’s explore their similarities first, starting with the agave.
Agave is a genus of plants that boasts about 270 different species, and while their characteristics vary widely, it can be said that they all take a number of years to mature, and they all have a piña, or heart of the plant, which is used to ferment and make distilled spirits. While tequila can only be made from one