Not your average agave.

Close-up of one of the types of agave plants, with thick, pointed, fleshy blue-green leaves edged with short, sharp spines.
A glass of a mezcal drink, with an ice cube on an orange table.

What’s the Difference Between Mezcal and Tequila?

Is mezcal tequila? We get that one a lot—here’s the lowdown:
Tequila is actually a type of mezcal. The key difference? It’s all about the agave. Tequila can only be made from blue agave (agave tequilana), while mezcal can be made from over 30 different agave varieties, including wild and rare ones like Espadín, Cuishe, and Tepeztate.

A detailed, artistic illustration of a type of agave plant called blue agave.

BLUE AGAVE

Bright citrus, sweet cooked agave, and a clean peppery finish.

An artistic illustration of an agave plant variety called espadín agave.

ESPADÍN

Balanced notes of green fruit, gentle smoke, and fresh herbs.

An illustration of a type of agave plant called tepeztate agave.

TEPEZTATE

Wild minerality with herbal depth and earthy complexity.

An illustration of an agave plant variety called coyote agave.

COYOTE

Ripe tropical fruit layered with delicate floral notes and citrus.

An artistic illustration of a type of agave plant called tobala agave.

TOBALA

Rich tropical fruit, creamy texture, and elegant minerality.

An illustration of an agave plant variety called cuishe agave.

CUISHE

Crisp green apple, fresh herbs, and a whisper of smoke.

DRIVEN BY CURIOSITY (AND A SERIOUS LOVE FOR MEZCAL), MALA MIA BRINGS BIODIVERSITY, CRAFTMANSHIP, AND CULTURE TOGETHER IN EVERY BOTTLE.

Whether you’re a first-time sipper or seasoned pro, our small-batch, handcrafted collection honors traditions while adding a fresh, modern twist. Each wild and rare agave we use adds a bold new layer to mezcal’s legendary story.

Bottom line: we’re here to shake up expectations—and really great cocktails.

Recognized Among the Best Mezcal Brands

Four mezcals, more than twelve awards — whichever you choose, it’s the right one.

A person is squeezing lemon peel over a glass of a mezcal cocktail with a large ice cube, made with mala mia mezcal, while particles from the lemon peel are dispersing into the air.
Text image with '2024 Silver Spirits Tasting Competition' in recognition won by mala mia mezcal among the best mezcal brands.
Text reading '2024 GOLD SPIRITS TASTING COMPETITION' in maroon, recognition won by mala mia mezcal among the best mezcal brands
Logo for '2024 Double Gold' award won by mala mia mezcal among the best mezcal brands
Logo for '2024 Double Gold' award won by mala mia mezcal among the best mezcal brands
Text reading '2024 Mezcal of the Year' recognition won by mala mia mezcal among the best mezcal brands in 2024
Text image with '2024 Silver Spirits Tasting Competition' in recognition won by mala mia mezcal among the best mezcal brands.
Text reading '2024 GOLD SPIRITS TASTING COMPETITION' in maroon, recognition won by mala mia mezcal among the best mezcal brands
2024 Silver Spirits Tasting Competition logo,  award won by mala mia mezcal among the best mezcal brands
Text reading '2024 Gold Spirits Tasting Competition' recognition won by mala mia mezcal among the best mezcal brands
'2024 DOUBLE GOLD' recognition won by mala mia mezcal among the best mezcal brands
'2024 DOUBLE GOLD' recognition won by mala mia mezcal among the best mezcal brands
Text reading '2024 Mezcal of the Year' recognition won by mala mia mezcal among the best mezcal brands in 2024
2024 Silver Spirits Tasting Competition logo,  award won by mala mia mezcal among the best mezcal brands
Text reading '2024 Gold Spirits Tasting Competition' recognition won by mala mia mezcal among the best mezcal brands

AS SEEN IN

  • Esquire magazine logo
  • Forbes magazine logo.
  • Mezcal Reviews logo.
  • Rolling Stone Magazine logo.
  • Bevnet logo.
  • Sinuate Media Logo

The Art of Making Mala Mia Mezcal

We adhere to the highest standards, ensuring our mezcal meets the rigorous certification requirements of the Consejo Mexicano Regulador de la Calidad del Mezcal A.C. (COMERCAM).

Vapor rising from hot rocks in the process of making oaxaca mezcal