Tequila & Mezcal: Our Spirits of Summer Thu, Dec 01, 22 | spirits We are huge tequila and mezcal fans – so much so that we’ve dubbed them our spirits of summer! And with National Tequila Day fast approaching (Tuesday, July 24th), it seemed appropriate to put together a list of top tequila and mezcal brands that our team members enjoy! But before we get to that list, let’s go over the main differences between tequila and mezcal. Any spirit distilled from the agave plant is considered mezcal, but tequila must be made from the blue agave plant. Therefore tequila is technically a mezcal, but not all mezcals are tequila. Tequila and mezcals are produced in different regions and distilled and labeled differently. Mezcal traditionally has a very unique, smoky flavor that makes it fairly easy to distinguish from tequila. Got it? Here are our top tequila brands and mezcal favorites… 1. CASAMIGOS BLANCO TEQUILAPicked by: Kyle750ml Was $42.99 | NOW $29.99 The folks behind Casamigos wanted to make a smooth tequila that could be enjoyed straight or on the rocks, and they apparently succeeded because it passed Kyle’s test! Casamigos Blanco is crisp and clean with hints of citrus, vanilla and sweet agave, with a long smooth finish. 2. HERRADURA AÑEJO TEQUILAPicked by: Justin750ml $47.99 Another good one to sip. Herradura Añejo is smooth with notes of toasted oak and dried fruit. A rich and spiced tequila like this pairs well with dessert – especially something sweet, like chocolate! 3. TANTEO JALAPEÑO TEQUILAPicked by: Debbie750ml $35.49 Infused with locally sourced fresh jalapeños, Tanteo Jalapeño Tequila was designed for making Jalapeño Margaritas and great for whenever you want to spice up a cocktail. Debbie recommends mixing Tanteo Jalapeño Tequila with ginger beer, pineapple juice, and a little bit of lime for a Spicy Mule! 4. DEL MAGUEY VIDA MEZCALPicked by: Jessica750ml $35.99 Del Maguey VIDA is an approachable introduction to mezcal! It’s easy sipping and its entry-level price point makes it a great choice for those new to mezcal. It has a nose of fruit, a hint of honey, vanilla and roast agave; the palate offers ginger, cinnamon, burnt sandalwood, banana and tangerine, with a long, soft finish. It can be enjoyed on its own, but its flavor profile makes it great for cocktails. Del Maquey Mezcals are twice distilled and unblended from 100% mature agave Espadín and are produced in the original, 500-year-old, hand-crafted, artisanal way. There are no chemicals, colorings, or additives. 5. MEZCAL VAGO ESPADÍNPicked by: Emily750ml $50.99 Mezcal Vago’s mezcals are also naturally made with no additives. The labels are super cool – on the front of every bottle, all the information is there about who made it, what agave, details in the process, size of batch and more. Mezcal Vago Espadín is fruit-forward with a burst of citrus, tangerines and honey crisp apples. A touch of licorice and another of smoke linger on the finish. 6. CRÁNEO ORGANIC MEZCALPicked by: Jaylee750ml $51.99 Cráneo Organic Mezcal is a single village artisanal mezcal handcrafted in the heartland of Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca. Classically structured on the nose with sweet barbecue smoke and hints of citrus, Cráneo is light and silky in body with flavors of orange and grapefruit peel, green banana, and spun sugar that punctuate a modestly-sweet smokiness. Jaylee’s summer cocktail of choice – a Coin Margarita made with Cráneo Organic Mezcal, Cointreau, lime juice, and a little bit of salt on the rim. If you have questions about the differences between tequila vs mezcal, feel free to contact us or pay us a visit. Now that you have some inspiration for your next Molly’s trip…here’s how you can save! Are you a Denver Passport holder? Not only does the Denver Passport get you 2-for-1 beverage specials at dozens of bars, restaurants, breweries, and distilleries all summer long, it will also get you 15% off a purchase of any agave spirit! Look for our ad on page 32. Don’t have one? Click here to get your Denver Passport! Shop for tequila and mezcal in Denver at Molly’s Spirits! Our extensive tequila selection can be found on Spirits Lane #4 and mezcals are located on Spirits Lane #3. Plan on making a margarita with your agave spirit? We’ve got seven recipes for you right here. If you want to learn more about the history and types of agave spirits, get to know our friend tequila! All prices limited to stock on hand. Molly’s Spirits reserves the right to limit quantities. Prices are subject to change.
