The Mezcal Experience - A Guide to Mezcal and Tequila

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

From the publisher -

‘Before mezcal I knew tequila. We danced together and had a good time. Then I found mezcal and we not only danced but we talked and talked. As a lover of whisky, mezcal was an easy step for me. And Tom is the person to tell you all about it.’ Thomasina Miers, author and chef-owner of Wahaca restaurant chain

‘Thomas, aside from having one of the early great beards of NYC, played some of the finest music ever to crawl into my drunken ears. He retains the same intimidating and generous approach to mezcal: know everything worth knowing about a subject, avoid the garbage, love it, and share. ‘James Murphy, LCD Soundsystem

Mezcal, unlike its infamous offspring, tequila, has until recently been one of Mexico’s best-kept secrets. And if the only thing that springs to mind when you think of tequila is tequila slammers, it’s time to think again. ‘Mezcalerias’ are popping up across the world and mezcal is increasingly seen on the menus of the most discerning and hippest bars, drawing crowds to dedicated venues from New York City to London, Tokyo and beyond.

The spirit works like a wine - it’s all about terroir – while the properties of the agave plant means that no other drink makes you feel quite as good as mezcal does. Thomas takes us on a regional tour of Mexico, discovering local mezcal gems, whilst offering more than 30 cocktails from bars across the world, and a guide to 40 ‘mezcalerias’ to visit. This authoritative but accessible book is the go-to book on this incredible spirit, with an in-depth illustrated guide of over 100 mezcal, from backyard heroes to the big names.

I do love some mezcal --- really good mezcal --- which I cannot find here (spirits are only available in our province-run liquor stores) unless I want to buy it by the case (easily $1500) and wait for days or weeks for the government and their monopoly to have it shipped to me --- none are available in-store. Alas, it seems so I have to deal with what come across as very expensive yet, in my opinion, sub-par tequilas that are available in-store or wait for delivery, again. But I digress …

I loved how the author went through mezcal from plant seed to glass and how different varietals are. The “oak” reference to chardonnays made me laugh as I hate oaky wine and the photos in the book (that I could see as most were blacked out in the digital version) were excellent. I loved the list of places where I can get good mezcals although they all involve a major plane ridge from where I live – but the pages of tasting notes will help me to choose one to my liking --- what a great addition to the book!

I now have a good shopping list for when I am in the USA next --- hopefully I can find what the author recommended there.

Great book for fans of tequila or mezcal!