Mescal...only for the brave
So you've heard of Tequila, well Mescal is same-same but fu##ing different. Unlike Tequila where everyone knows some person who's 'never touching it again', mescal is to be "kissed not shot".
The Oaxacan's say "mescal is not seen as a sin but instead very good for you" which goes a long way to explain the passion and respect associated with the nectar derived from agave plants.
Our whirlwind tour of Oaxaca, a quaint and colourful city, led us into more than a couple of boutique mescal distilleries and bars. Think Sydney's whiskey scene with more skulls for decor!
Our favourite mescal bar is only fit for 15 people standing (you won't be for long) where a plethora of options await including pineapple or chilli infused varieties. Classic mescal however is plain and eye-poppingly powerful coming in at 52% alcohol which explains why it's used to aid digestion - simply burns the food away.
Most interestingly is how it's made.
Take a cactus looking plant that's been growing for 2-25years (mescal type dependant)
Dig it up, chop off the huge spiky bits and you're left with a giant pineapple looking thingy-moboby
Burn the shit out of it in a mud oven
Cook again so vapour escapes then condenses back into liquid
Allow to ferment and stink the place out
Whack into oak barrels to age
Bottle and sell to tourists...assuming the locals leave any as they seem very happy drinking it all day long
Ultimately mescal packed too big a punch for us; it's definitely an acquired taste. I mean, it took me almost a decade to like single malt so there was no hope in 3 days! This potency was summed up perfectly by our tasting guide after he gifted us a traditional mescal tasting cup, safety string attached and all:
"With mescal you can lose your dignity, your house, or your pants but you won't lose your mescal cup"
We're far from finished with Mexico so there's still hope that a taste for mescal can be developed, I mean it's not like we have jobs to get up for 😏. Check out our favourite bars here:
El Destilado - Instagram @eldestilado
Santisima Flor de Lupulo
Instagram: @thelisaphillips #somedaysherpa
