Mezcal has officially entered the cultural chat, but with rising popularity comes plenty of confusion. From worm-filled bottles to smoky stereotypes, myths about this ancient spirit run wild.
Here are 10 mezcal facts and misconceptions you need to know.
1. “Mezcal is just smoky tequila.”
❌ Myth
They’re cousins, not twins. Mezcal is often made in underground ovens and from many agave types—not just Blue Weber, like tequila.
2. “All mezcal is super smoky.”
❌ Myth
Not quite. While smoke is a characteristic of mezcal, not all mezcals are created equal. Some have heavy smoke while others, like ours, offer a gentle, balanced profile with citrus, fruit, and spice.
3. “Mezcal has a worm in the bottle.”
❌ Stereotype
Ah, the infamous worm. While some brands do add a gusano, it’s mostly a modern marketing gimmick. Traditional mezcal doesn’t include a worm. At Bonded Roots, we honor artisanal purity: just wild agave, water, and time.
4. “Mezcal can be made from many types of agave.”
✅ Fact
Mezcal is the wild west of agave. The spirit can come from Espadín, Tobalá, Cuishe, and even Blue Weber agave, like Bonded Roots.
5. “Mezcal is stronger than other spirits.”
⚖️ Half-Truth
Mezcal is often bottled at 42%–55% ABV, so yes—it can be stronger than your average vodka or whiskey. But at Bonded Roots the goal is flavor and balance, not burn.
6. “Mezcal is meant to be sipped, not shot.”
✅ Fact
Mezcal is traditionally sipped slowly, often from a small clay cup called a copita. This is a spirit of ritual, not rush.
7. “Mezcal is made in Oaxaca.”
✅ But not only.
While Oaxaca is mezcal’s spiritual home, it’s not the only place it is made. Mezcal can legally be produced in nine Mexican states, including Michoacán, Guerrero, and Durango.
8. “The older the mezcal, the better.”
❌ Myth
While Añejo mezcal exists, most premium mezcal (like our joven) is unaged, allowing the raw beauty of the agave to shine. Aging can add complexity, but it’s not a quality marker on its own.
9. “Mezcal is more sustainable than other spirits.”
⚖️ Complex Truth
While mezcal is often seen as a more natural or traditional spirit, its rising demand presents real challenges, from overharvesting wild agave to biodiversity loss and monoculture farming. Sustainability isn’t guaranteed; it depends on how the mezcal is sourced, produced, and scaled.
10. “Mezcal is a passing trend.”
❌ Not even close.
Mezcal is a cultural legacy that has been crafted for centuries. What’s changing is how the world sees it: not as a mysterious cousin of tequila, but as a complex, expressive spirit that deserves the spotlight.
Final Sip
The next time someone brings up mezcal myths, pass them a bottle of Bonded Roots, then pass them this post! Because behind every pour is a story worth telling, and a spirit worth understanding.