The “strength” or alcohol content of Mezcal can vary depending on several factors. Understanding its alcohol percentage is essential for both enjoying, knowing a bit more about the production methods and appreciating this spirit.
Let’s delve together into knowing more about the alcohol content of mezcal.
Alcohol Percentage of Mezcal
Mezcal typically has an alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage that ranges from 40% to 55%. However, specific brands and expressions may vary, so it’s essential to check the label for the exact percentage.
ABV is a standard measure used to quantify the amount of alcohol (ethanol) contained in an alcoholic beverage as a percentage of the total volume of liquid.
In this case, Mezcal having an ABV of 40%, means that 40% of the total volume of the spirit is alcohol.
What Influences the Mezcal Alcohol Content
The exact alcohol content of a bottle of Mezcal can be influenced by various factors and, as with every alcohol drink, is determined during the distillation process.
If you want to know about the distillation process and more, you can check our post that explains how Mezcal is Made.
These are some factors that can make Mezcal have more or less ABV.
Agave Varietal
Mezcal can be made from different agave each having different sugar content. This is important as the higher the sugar content, the more alcohol produced during the fermentation process.
Here you can check some of the most used agave varieties.
Production Method
Traditional mezcal production often involves pit roasting the agave hearts (piñas) in an earthen pit, which is what makes mezcal have a smoky flavor.
The cooking process and fermentation duration can affect the final alcohol content.
Distillation
Mezcal is typically distilled in small batches using copper or clay pot stills. The distillation process can be adjusted and modify to have the desired the alcohol content
Aging
If the mezcal is aged in wooden barrels or containers, it can undergo changes in alcohol content over time due to evaporation and interaction with the wood.
Is Mezcal stronger than tequila?
Mezcal and tequila can have similar alcohol content, typically ranging from 40% to 55% ABV. The perception of strength often depends on the individual brand and style.
If you wanna know more differences or similarities you can check our post where we talk about mezcal vs tequila.
Are there Mezcal variations with higher alcohol content?
Some artisanal and rare mezcals may have higher alcohol content, exceeding 55% ABV. These high-proof mezcals are often sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.
At Del Maguey, the Mezcal with our highest Alcohol content, with 50% ABV, is the Del Maguey Santa Catarina Minas or Minero.
