Question 1

Is mezcal stronger than tequila?

Accepted Answer

Not by law. Both official standards allow the same range: 35% to 55% alcohol by volume. What changes is the bottle, so check the label. I've reviewed mezcals at 49% that you definitely feel.

Question 2

Does mezcal have a worm in it?

Accepted Answer

Some bottles do. Mexico's mezcal standard lists gusano de maguey (the agave worm) among the ingredients that can be added to an "abocado con" mezcal, alongside things like orange and honey. It isn't a sign of quality, and you won't find one in most of the mezcals serious bars pour.

Question 3

Is tequila just a type of mezcal?

Accepted Answer

Historically, yes: tequila began as vino mezcal de Tequila, the mezcal from the town of Tequila. Today, they're separate legal categories with separate official standards, NOM-006 for tequila and NOM-070 for mezcal.

Question 4

Why is mezcal more expensive than tequila?

Accepted Answer

Scale and time. The tequila industry produced about 583 million liters in 2025, while certified mezcal was about 6.9 million. Most mezcal is made by small producers, often from agave that takes years or decades to mature, and ancestral clay-pot distillation yields very little per batch.

Question 5

Can you use mezcal in a margarita?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Swap some or all of the tequila for an Espadín and you get a smokier, deeper drink. It's one of the easiest ways to introduce a friend to mezcal.

~ GET THE LATEST Mezcal NEWS ~

MEZCAL CULTURE

HUBS

COMPANY

FOLLOW US