Mezcal is a distilled spirit that is made from the agave plant, which is native to Mexico.

Unlike tequila, which is made specifically from the blue agave plant, mezcal can be made from a variety of different agave species, each with its own distinct flavour profile.

To make mezcal, the agave plants are harvested and their leaves are stripped away to reveal the heart, or "piña." The piñas are then roasted in underground pits, which gives the mezcal its distinctive smoky flavour.

After roasting, the piñas are crushed and the juice is fermented and distilled.

It has a smoky, earthy taste, with notes of caramel, fruit, and spice.

The aging process can also affect the flavour, with some mezcals being aged in oak barrels for a more mellow taste.