Mezcal is tequila's smoky elder: agave roasted in earthen pits, crushed by tahona, fermented wild and distilled in small batches in Oaxaca. Our mezcal collection runs 386 bottles deep — espadin staples, single-village releases and rested reposados and anejos — all available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, family-owned in San Diego since 1974 and shipping nationwide. New to agave? Start with our tequila collection and come back for the smoke.
- 386 mezcals, from $32.99 everyday bottles to $399.99 limited editions
- Dos Hombres Mezcal $64.99, Yola Mezcal 1971 $54.99, Rancho De La Luna $49.99
- Clase Azul Guerrero Joven Limited Edition $399.99, Clase Azul Mezcal San Luis Potosi $379.99
- Joven, reposado and anejo, plus wild-agave bottles
- Ships nationwide from San Diego, California
Understanding Mezcal Styles
Joven is unaged mezcal — the purest read on agave and pit smoke. Reposado rests in oak for two to twelve months, rounding the smoke with vanilla. Anejo ages a year or more and drinks closer to a rare and top shelf whisky pour. Look at the agave, too: cultivated espadin is the workhorse — sweet and approachable — while wild varieties like tepeztate and tobala are scarcer and more complex. Dos Hombres ($64.99) is the usual first bottle; Gusano Rojo ($32.99) is the old-school classic, worm and all. Shelf note: the Aguamiel here is bacanora — a Sonoran agave spirit, kindred but its own denomination.
How to Drink Mezcal
Sip it neat from a wide-mouthed glass or copita — never shoot it. Take a "kiss," a small first sip, and let the smoke unfold. Sal de gusano and orange are the traditional accompaniments. In cocktails, a joven espadin swapped into a margarita or paloma trades citrus brightness for depth and smoke — a smokier cousin of Don Julio 1942.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between mezcal and tequila?
All tequila is mezcal, but not all mezcal is tequila. Tequila comes only from blue Weber agave, steamed in ovens. Mezcal can use dozens of agave species across nine states, roasted in underground pits — hence the smoke.
Why does mezcal taste smoky?
Agave hearts are cooked for days in earthen pits lined with hot volcanic rock. Smoke penetrates the agave before fermentation.
Is the worm in mezcal real?
Sometimes — it is a marketing tradition, not a requirement. The "worm" is an agave larva (gusano) found in some bottles, like Gusano Rojo.
What is a good first mezcal?
An espadin joven — Dos Hombres ($64.99) or Rancho De La Luna ($49.99). Graduate to wild-agave bottles once the smoke clicks.
From first bottle to wild-agave grail — San Diego's deepest mezcal shelf. Order online from Del Mesa Liquor and we will ship mezcal to your door, anywhere in the country.