I found the following informative.....
Here are some facts and clarifications regarding Tequila and Mezcal- producers
1) Mezcal is the oldest distilled spirit in North America. The Spaniards brought the distilling techniques (they learned from the Moors) when they conquered Mexico and started using local ingredients to make liquor, agave having an extremely high sugar content was perfect. Before the Spaniards, the locals made a low alcohol (3% or so) beverage from agave.
2) Mezcal and Tequila both have their own Domination of Origin status and protection
3) Mezcal came under certification by the Mexican government div. Comercom, in 2005. All Mezcal produced must now be 100% agave. Tequila dues not require 100% agave and as stated in some notes below, yes, they can cut it 49/51 % with other alcohol.
4) The AGAVE plant is a member of the Lily family- it is not a cactus. There are more than 400 varieties of agave woldwide.
5) Mezcal can legally be made from up to 28 recognized varieties of agave, including the Blue agave as long as it is grown in the proper region.
6) Mezcal can legally be produced in 7 states in Southern Mexico- the main one being Oaxaca.
7) Tequila was first produced in 1795 (approx) when Jose Cuervo applied to the Spanish govenment for a permit to make "Mezcal de Tequila".
8) Tequila can legally be produced in 6-7 states in Northen Mexico, main state being Jalisco
9) All MEZCAL must be bottled in Mexico
10) 85% of Tequila is shipped out of Mexico in bulk containers and then mixed and bottled with cheaper alcohols.
(the 100% agave tequilas are usually bottled in Mexico)
11) Tequila does NOT contain a worm, is only in Mezcal
12) The worm in Mezcal is a flavoring- not an aphrodisiac or anything of the sort. In Oaxaca, they use the agave worms in specialty foods (tacos) and also Sal de Gusano = Worm Salt. Note- we import the worm salt also, and use for rimming salts.
If you try a silver worm mezcal next to a no -worm mezcal, you can taste the difference.

13) Mezcals come in same agings as tequila.
Silver or Joven = freshly distilled and clear color
Reposado, rested in oak from 2-11 mos.
Anejo = aged 1 year or longer in oak.
Our top of the line Mezcal is aged 7 years and is triple distilled, it is more similar to a cognac than a tequila
14) Mezcal is smokier tasting than Tequila. Mezcal is produced in small batches, roasting the agave in an earth oven. So- the silver is even a bit smokey. Tequila is typically made in large industrial batches, and is steamed, not roasted so you don't get the smokey flavor assocatied with mezcal.
15) No chemicals are used in the production of Mezcal, natural yeast from the air is used to ferment and takes about 2 weeks. Most industrial batches of Tequila use chemicals to quicken the fermentation.
16) All certified Mezcal has a little green leaf symbol on the label and each producer has their NOM listed on each bottle.

Did I miss anything?

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