What is an agave plant?

Agave is a succulent plant native to semiarid regions of the Americas including Mexico, the southwestern US, and Caribbean. While only Blue Weber agave is used in tequila production, there are over 200 unique species of agave.

Can tequila be made anywhere?

No. Under Mexican law tequila can only be grown, processed, and packaged from five specific Mexican states. While the majority of tequilas are produced in the state of Jalisco, tequila can also be legally produced in the states of Tamaulipas, Nayarit, Michoacán, and Guanajuato.

What is the biggest difference between tequila and mezcal?

While both mezcal and tequila are made from agave, production regulations vary between the two.

Tequila may only be manufactured in the states of Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas and made from Blue Webber Agave grown in those regions. Above-ground ovens are used to steam the heart (or piña) of the agave before the liquid is distilled in copper containers.

Mezcal can be made from more than 30 different varieties of agave. The agave are cooked in underground pits that give mezcal its signature smoky flavor.

Is only good tequila expensive?

No. While many expensive tequilas excellent products, marketing and advertising can create an environment where lower quality products can be sold at higher price points. Price is not always directly proportional to tequila quality, particularly for small batch and artisanal products like Abre Ojos.

Does tequila have a worm in the bottle?

No tequilas contain a worm, this is a common misconception. Occasionally, lower quality mezcal will contain a worm.