Why do some people fear the idea of drinking Mezcal
Mezcal can be intimidating. If you have tried mezcal, it may have burned going down. In fact, you might feel a burning sensation in your nose and throat just recalling that memory. Smoky and strong. Strong enough to make you cough. Maybe your reaction after that first swallow was “F—k!” (Or, in polite terms, “Not my cup of tea.”)
That is a common reaction people have the first time they taste mezcal. But don’t let that first bad experience turn you away from what can be an exhilarating, enlightening experience. Like many good things in life, the first attempt is often disappointing. If you think you don’t like mezcal, it’s probably because your experience actually was bad. But just like sex – you need the right partner to have a good experience. Here are a few tips to put you on the path to Mezcal euphoria:
Number one - Mezcal is not Tequila.
Some people might expect mezcal to taste like tequila and are surprised that it’s so different. Tequila is made from steamed agave while Mezcal is made from roasted agave. The roasting process gives Mezcal that smoky quality that tequila doesn’t have. Also, many tequilas contain significant amounts of water and sugar (because, legally, tequila can consist of 49% water, sugar or other additives). So tequila can be sweet and viscous. It can also give you a wicked hangover. By contrast, Mezcal is pure – made only from agave. Premium mezcal can have subtle elements of sweet – like the natural essence of flowers, but it is never sugar-sweet. That’s one reason why Mezcal is not for the college crowd – Mezcal is for adults only.
Number Two – Only Drink Good Mezcal.
Until recently, good mezcal has been hard to find. Sure, there are lots of mezcals available in the U.S., and more are introduced every month. But not all of them are good, and very few are excellent. The price of mezcal is not the measure of its quality. Its drinkability is a much better and more reliable test. So if you drank a mezcal that reminded you of lighter fluid, you should erase that memory and tell your brain to put your inhibition aside and try again. This time you’ll be better informed and you will have a good experience.
Number Three – Sip it Slowly
If your memory of mezcal involves drinking it quickly to get it over with, you were misled by whoever advised you on that course of action. Mezcal is a sensual journey. Pleasure takes time and every sensory feeling must be savored. The cardinal rule of Mezcal is SIP. Slowly. And even before your first sip, swirl mezcal in a glass to release its aromas. Then inhale. Swirl again. Inhale again. Only after your olfactory senses are fully awakened should you take your first, small sip. Swirl the mezcal around your tongue and let it linger – letting your taste buds register all the subtle notes of flavor. Sipping premium mezcal - mindfully – is an experience that cannot be rushed. Every mezcal is unique. Discovering a mezcal’s inherent qualities and sensory surprises is a journey to be appreciated and shared. Just like good sex. If you find the right partner (we recommend El Cabron), if you take your time, have an open mind and all your senses engaged… you have set yourself up to experience … Fireworks! And there’s nothing else quite like it.
