Have you heard about the new non-Mexican agave spirits?

A short guide to agave spirits made outside of Mexico

If like me, you can’t let National Margarita Day go by without mixing up a batch of classic Margarita cocktails. Which is the perfect excuse to go and find a new tequila brand to taste. Not that one would be needed of course.

The exciting news is that these days looking for a high-quality tequila or mezcal you are spoiled with an ever-growing offer. With demand for tequila and other agave-based sprits like mezcal skyrocketing globally in recent years, new brands have entered the market in force. And with no signs the appeal of agave-based spirits is coming to an end anytime soon, many more are likely to follow.

On the other hand, there seems to be a logical limit to the volume of additional tequila being made by new brands. Tequila is internationally protected by the Denomination for Mezcal and Tequila, which establishes where tequila can be made (in Mexico), what it can be made from (blue agave), where the plants can be grown (in Mexico), along with a few other aspects.

But here is the catch. While it’s true that all tequila must come from Mexico, it’s all in the name.

And that’s where the rest of the world comes into play.

Here is what to know about agave-based spirits made outside of Mexico

If you are looking for agave spirits, you are no longer limited to look to Mexico.

Denomination rules establishing the production process and origin of tequila do not prohibit making agave-based spirits elsewhere in the world. They just need to have a different name. This follows the example of sparkling wines which are made the same way as champagne but given different names because production is taking place outside the Champagne region in France.

Different species of agave plants grow wild in several places outside Mexico including Australia, China, India, Italy, Spain, South Africa, and southern California among others.

It’s no surprise some of these countries are currently leading the production of non-Mexican agave spirits. Personally, I am sure others will follow.

In fact, there is now even an agave spirit made in Germany. Needless to say, it’s on top of my wish list, so stay tuned for more on this one.

For all those open to new flavour profiles moving away from the typical characteristics of tequila, production of agave spirits moving increasingly outside of Mexico certainly offers a new playground.

That’s because agave spirits made outside the denomination of tequila logically do not have to follow the strict rule of the DO. As such, they can be made from a more diverse range of different agave spirits.

Are agave-based spirits from outside Mexico as good as the original?

There are only few brands that have started to make a name for themselves. So the final votes are still out. Yet from that early start, some initial promising results are emerging.

All I can say from my own experience – which is based on only one agave spirit made outside of Mexico – is that I’m in for more of these new agave spirits to try.

I’d love to hear if you are familiar with the new agave spirits made outside of Mexico and what your take on them is. Let me know in the comments below.