How is Mezcal made?
This handy little guide will walk you through the production process of mezcal. Mezcaleros, mezcal makers, use the techniques outlined below to craft this incredible and delicious Mexican spirit.
Traditionally, mezcal is handcrafted by small-scale producers. Just one village could contain dozens of fábricas or palenques, local distilleries where mezcaleros use methods passed down from generation to generation.
In every stage of the mezcal-making process, there’s a different way of doing things. In 2016, three grades of mezcal were defined: Mezcal, Artesanal and Ancestral depending on the techniques used, all of which are explained in our Different Types of Mezcal guide.
No two mezcals are made exactly alike, but they all begin with the same thing: agave. So let’s start there.
Jump to section
Author:
Reading time: 5 minutes
Step 1: Harvesting the Agave
Jimadors harvest agave. Image credit: Mezcal Amores.
Step 2: Cooking
Agave piñas being cooked. Image credit: Corte Vetusto Mezcal.
Step 3: Crushing
Agave piñas crushed by a tahona. Image credit: Corte Vetusto Mezcal.
Step 4: Fermentation
Fermentation is arguably the most important stage of mezcal production. Image credit: iStock.
Step 5: Distillation
Mezcal can be distilled in a number of still types. Image credit: Corte Vetusto Mezcal.
Step 6: Ageing (optional)
Step 7: Bottling and drinking it!
The final bottle. Drink up! Image credit: Corte Vetusto Mezcal.
More Mezcal guides
Discover more whisky guides
Find out how whisky is made, about the different types of whisky available, and more...
Explore more
Sign up to our newsletter
Special offers, recommendations and expert advice to your inbox! Unsubscribe at any time.
I agree to the Privacy Policy