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Mezcal and other Agave Spirits Flashcards

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1
Q

When was Mezcal awarded its own set of standards?

A
  1. New laws were passed in 2017.
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2
Q

What are the US standards for Mezcal?

A

An Agave spirit distilled at less than 95% ABV
Bottled at no less than 40% ABV
In compliance with NOM standards for Mezcal.

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3
Q

What are the NOM standards for Mezcal?

A

Produced from 100% agave
Solely from approved varieties of agave in designated areas.
Produced and bottled within the designated mezcal-producing area
Bottled at 35-55% ABV

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4
Q

Are Hornos de Pozo used today?

A

Only for some Mezcal production.

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5
Q

What is Mezcal Tipo II?

A

A type of mezcal using a minimum 80% agave, disallowed as of 2020.

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6
Q

Why does mezcal often have a smokier or earthier aroma than tequila?

A

Partly the varieties of agave, also the tradition of cooking the piñas in earth-covered pits.

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7
Q

What is the tradition center of Mezcal production?

A

Oaxaca

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8
Q

What is the main type of agave used in the production of Mezcal?

A

Agave Espadin (Agave Angustifolia) - Close to 90%
Other varieties allowed.

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9
Q

What are the three categories of Mezcal?

A

Mezcal
Mezcal Artesanal
Mezcal Ancestral

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10
Q

What are the requirements for Mezcal Artesanal?

A

Must be cooked in pits or cement ovens May be milled using wooden bats, stone wheel, or mechanical shredders
Fermentation in a vessel made of stone, wood, clay, earth, or animal skins
Distilled in pot still or vessel made of clay/wood
Distillation fueled by direct fire.
May include bagazo.

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11
Q

What are the requirements for Mezcal Ancestral?

A

Must be cooked in pits
Must be milled using wooden bats or a stone wheel
Fermentation in a vessel made of stone, wood, clay, earth, or animal skins
Distilled in vessel made of clay/wood
Distillation fueled by direct fire.
May include bagazo.

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12
Q

What are the classifications for Mezcal relating to age?

A

White/Joven
Madurado en vidrio (matured in glass)
Reposado
Añejo
Abocado con
Destilado con (Distilled with)

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13
Q

What are the requirements for Madurado en vidrio Mezcal?

A

Aged in a glass container larger than 5 L (1.3 gallons) for 12 months, must be underground or in another cool, dark place, age (in years) must be stated on the label.

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14
Q

What is White/Joven Mezcal?

A

Young mezcal, no aging required. Has not been altered in any way after distillation.

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15
Q

What is Reposado Mezcal?

A

A Mezcal aged in wooden barrels (any size) for at least 2 months.

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16
Q

What is Añejo Mezcal?

A

A Mezcal aged in oak barrels of no more than 1000 liter (264 gallon) capacity for at least one year, age on label.

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17
Q

What is an Abocado con Mezcal?

A

A flavored mezcal that has been infused with an approved flavoring additive.

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18
Q

What are some approved flavor additives for Abocado con Mezcal?

A

Maguey worms
Damiana (a flowering shrub)
Lime
Honey
Orange
Mango

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19
Q

What is Destilado con Mezcal?

A

Mezcal that is distilled with other ingredients.

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20
Q

What effect does the type of wood used in Horonos de Pozo have on the smoke aromas in an agave spirit?

A

Some woods create more smoke than others. For a smokier spirit, a wood with a more aromatic smoke may be chosen.

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21
Q

Can Mieles be collected when cooking pinas in a fire pit?

A

No.

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22
Q

What are some of the ingredients that Destilado con Mezcal may be distilled with?

A

Chicken/turkey breast
Rabbit
Mole
Plums
Cherries

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23
Q

What is the traditional method for cooking pinas for agave spirits?

A

Hornos de Pozo (Fire pits)

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24
Q

Describe Hornos de Pozo.

A

Usually cone shaped pits dug directly into the ground and lined with large stones. A wood fire is set in the bottom and covered with stones. It is lined with agave fibers and then pinas. Then covered in agave fibers and finally, a layer of earth.

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25
Why is it important that the pinas are covered while cooking in an Horno de Pozo?
If too much air gets in, the fire will be too strong and ultimately reduce the pinas to ash.
26
What are some variation in Hornos de Pozo that affect the amount and nature of smoke aromas in the spirit?
The type of wood Not lining the stones with agave fiber.
27
How is Destilado con Mezcal made?
The ingredient is placed above the still, allowing for the vapors to pass over them.
28
What are the two types of simple pot stills used for Mezcal distillation?
European style (similar to alambic charentais) Asian Style
29
What is Mezcal de Pechuga?
Destilado con Mezcal distilled with meat or poultry. Pechuga is Spanish for "breast of meat".
30
What is required to be on a Mezcal label?
The product category, species of agave, one of the six classifications, and the name of the state in which it was produced. Must be bottled in bottles of 5 liter capacity or smaller.
31
Describe the Asian-style pot stills used in Mezcal production.
A clay pot is place in a brick structure above a place for a wood fire. A still head of clay or wood connects to the pot, and an opening for the bowl-of-water condenser. A large spoon-like device (cuchara) is suspended on the rim under the condenser. The cuhara is connected to a pipe (culebra) for spirit to exit the still.
32
What effect does not lining the stones with agave fibers have on the smoke aromas in a spirit?
It increases the level of charring on individual pinas and increases the level of smoke aromas in the final spirit.
33
What is often added to the still with the fermented alcoholic liquid in agave spirit production?
Agave fibers.
34
Are non-agave sugars permitted prior to distillation in Mezcal?
No
35
How long do pinas cook in Hornos de Pozo?
Varies from 3 days to a month.
36
What is Del Maguey Mezcal
A brand of artisanal Mezcals created in 1996.
37
How is Del Maguey Mezcal marketed?
As "single village" and "single mezcalero".
38
Who currently owns Del Maguey Mezcal?
Pernod-Ricard.
39
Who was Ron Cooper?
An artist and adventurer who created the Del Maguey label, importing artisanal Mezcals into the United States.
40
What is Bacanora?
An agave distillate made in the state of Sonora in the north of Mexico.
41
What species is of agave is used for the production of Bacanora?
Augustfolia - AKA Agave Yaquiana
42
What is a Cuchara?
The Spanish word for spoon, a part of the Asian-style pot still used to make Mezcal. It sits under the bowl-of-water condenser to catch the spirit.
43
What material is an Asian style pot still used for Mezcal production usually made from?
A pot is made of clay, place in a brick sculpture. The still head is most commonly made of clay or wood.
44
What is the main purpose of the first distillation in Mezcal production?
To separate some of the water and non-volatile fractions from the volatile fractions.
45
Is Mezcal matured in oak?
Not widely.
46
What must be done during Mezcal fermentation when agave fibers are included in the sugary liquid?
The must be constantly worked to keep from forming a thick layer on top and to help break them up for the yeast.
47
What can be added to Mezcal post-distillation?
Government approved sweeteners, colorings, and flavorings.
48
How is Mezcal fermented?
Initially, the vessel is partly filled with the sugary liquid and agave fibers. Ambient/wild yeast start fermentation. After about two days, water is added.
49
Does all Mezcal have a smoke aroma?
No
50
What type of vessels are used for Mezcal fermentation?
They vary, some are made from stainless steel, but most are from wood or clay. Some may even be animal skins, hollowed-out tree trunks, soil or stone lined pits (uncommon).
51
Why are agave fibers typically not separated from the sugary liquid prior to fermentation in Mezcal production?
The agave fibers are necessary to help with alcohol yield, since tahonas are less efficient at extracting sugar from the pinas.
52
What is a Culebra?
The Spanish word for snake, a pipe that carries the spirit from the cuchara to be collected.
53
What type of distillation is most used for Mezcal?
Double pot still distillation.
54
How is the bowl-of-water condenser sealed to the still head in mezcal production?
Mud and agave fibers.
55
How is Bacanora made?
The agave piñas are roasted in underground pits of volcanic rock and heated with mesquite charcoal.
56
When did Bacanora become a denomination of origin?
2006
57
For how many years has Bacanora been made n Sonora?
At least 300.
58
Where does the name Bacanora come from?
The town in Sonora where it was first produced.
59
Can Abocado be used in Bacanora?
Yes, except for with Blanco.
60
What are the four classes of Bacanora?
Blanco (no minimum age) Joven/Oro (No minimum age) Reposado (min 2 month oak) Anejo (min 1 year oak 200 L barrels)
61
Describe Bacanora.
Made from 100% agave, quality is high. Has hints of smoke and earth.
62
What is Raicilla?
An agave based distillate made in central Jalisco and parts of Nayarit for over 400 years.
63
What are the six classes of Raicilla?
Joven, Blanco or Plata (Unaltered) Madurado en Vidrio (Aged in glass 12 months) Reposado or Oro (Aged in wood 2-12 months) Anejada (Aged in wood at least 12 months) Abocado con Destilado con
64
What is the history of Raicilla?
It was basically a type of moonshine - bottled at more than 100 proof and consumed locally.
65
What are the three categories of Raicilla?
Raicilla Raicilla Artesanal Raicilla Tradicion
66
What are the standards for Raicilla?
100% Agave (Any variety except blue) Produced in Jalisco or Nayarit Bottled at 35-55% ABV
67
What is Sotol?
A distilled spirit made from the Dasylirion plant group - known as the desert spoon plant or sotol. Formerly thought to be agave but recently reclassified. Produced similarly to Mezcal.
68
When did Sotol receive it's denomination of Origin?
2004
69
What is the flavor profile of Sotol?
Typically less smoky and earthy than mezcal.
70
Where must the Dasylirion used to make Sotol be grown?
Chihuahua, Coahuila, or Durango
71
What are the two categories of Sotol?
Sotol 100% Puro (Made exclusively from Dasylirion sugars) Sotol (Can add up to 49% non-Dasylirion sugars)
72
What are the four classes of Sotol?
Blanco (no age restrictions) Joven/Oro (no age restrictions, can use abocado) Reposado (min 2 months wood) Anejo (min 1 year wood)
73
Which classes of Sotol can use Abocado?
All except Blanco.

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