As an expert sommelier and brewer, I can confidently say that mezcal is often more expensive than tequila. This price difference can be attributed to a few key factors.
Firstly, the production scale of mezcal is much smaller compared to tequila. Tequila is produced on a much larger scale, with many large distilleries and brands dominating the market. Mezcal, on the other hand, is typically produced by smaller, artisanal producers who focus on quality rather than quantity. This smaller production scale means that less mezcal is available in the market, driving up the price.
Secondly, the traditional production methods of mezcal contribute to its higher cost. Mezcal is made from wild agave plants, which are harvested by hand. This requires a significant amount of time and effort, as the agave plants can take years to mature before they are ready to be harvested. Additionally, the production of mezcal involves a labor-intensive process of roasting the agave hearts in underground pits, fermenting the cooked agave, and distilling the resulting liquid. These traditional techniques require skill and expertise, and the manual labor involved increases the overall cost of production.
Furthermore, the scarcity of wild agave plants also plays a role in the higher price of mezcal. Unlike tequila, which is made primarily from cultivated blue agave plants, mezcal relies on various species of wild agave that grow in specific regions of Mexico. These wild agave plants take much longer to mature and are often more challenging to find and harvest. The limited supply of wild agave contributes to the higher cost of mezcal.
It's also worth noting that mezcal has gained popularity in recent years, both within Mexico and internationally. This increased demand for mezcal has further driven up its price, as producers are able to command higher prices for their product.
In my personal experience, I have witnessed the rising prices of mezcal over the years. As the demand for mezcal has grown, so have the prices on menus and store shelves. I have seen mezcal bottles that are significantly more expensive than their tequila counterparts, even when comparing products of similar quality and age.
To summarize, mezcal is generally more expensive than tequila due to its smaller production scale, traditional production methods, scarcity of wild agave, and increased demand. These factors contribute to the higher cost of mezcal and make it a more premium and sought-after spirit.