Tequila, Agave Spirit & Mezcal: What's the Difference?

Agave is having a moment.

Walk into a good bottle shop in Australia today and you'll likely find tequila sitting alongside mezcal and Australian agave spirits. We have it on good word there are more Australian agave spirits on the way, and even producers experimenting in countries as far away as France.

It's exciting. The more people discover agave, the better.

But as the category grows, one question comes up again and again:

If they're all made from agave... what's the difference?

The answer is simple.

Every tequila is an agave spirit. But not every agave spirit is tequila.

Tequila is more than an ingredient

Imagine someone planted Pinot Noir grapes in Australia and made sparkling wine. It might be exceptional. But it couldn’t be Champagne.

Not because of quality, but because Champagne represents something much bigger than a grape variety. It represents a place, generations of expertise, protected production methods, unique cultural heritage. Furthermore, the name is protected by law.  

Tequila is no different.

It is an expression of agave, but one with hundreds of years of history, strict production standards and a deep connection to the people and landscapes of Mexico.

That's what makes tequila special.

It can only come from Mexico

Authentic tequila is protected by a Denomination of Origin, meaning it can only be produced in specific regions of Mexico under strict regulations.

Every bottle labelled "Tequila" must be made from Blue Weber Agave and produced in authorised regions, with the overwhelming majority coming from the state of Jalisco.

These rules exist for the same reason they do for Champagne, Parmigiano Reggiano or Scotch Whisky.

They protect tradition, authenticity and the communities that have spent generations perfecting their craft.

What about mezcal?

Mezcal is another remarkable Mexican spirit - but it's not tequila.

While tequila is made exclusively from Blue Weber Agave, mezcal can be produced using dozens of different agave varieties, many of which grow wild and take decades to mature.

Production methods also differ. Traditional mezcal is often cooked in underground earthen pits, giving it the smoky character many people associate with the spirit.

Tequila, by contrast, is typically steamed in brick ovens or autoclaves, allowing the natural sweetness and flavour of the agave to take centre stage. You can learn more about how Tequila is made here.

Arguably, neither is better.

They're simply different traditions with different histories.

And what about Australian agave spirits?

Australia is beginning to produce its own agave spirits, with more producers planting agave and experimenting with distillation every year.

We think that's genuinely exciting.Innovation helps more people discover the incredible versatility of agave.

But Australian agave spirits are exactly that - Australian agave spirits.

They aren't tequila, because tequila belongs to Mexico.

Just as whisky can be made around the world but Scotch can only come from Scotland, tequila represents far more than a production method.

It represents place.

Why heritage matters

One of the things that struck us most while travelling through Mexico wasn't simply the quality of the tequila.

It was the people behind it. Families who had been making tequila for generations. Master distillers whose knowledge had been passed from parent to child. Communities whose identity has been shaped by agave for centuries.

You quickly realise that tequila isn't simply distilled alcohol.

It's part of Jalisco’s cultural identity.

Every bottle carries the story of the land, the climate, the people and the traditions that created it. That's impossible to replicate anywhere else.

Why Tequila Vault exists

At Tequila Vault, we celebrate the world of agave.

But our passion lies with traditionally produced Tequila and the family-owned distilleries that continue to protect its heritage.

Our mission isn't simply to source exceptional bottles.

It's to introduce Australians to the people, places and traditions that make tequila one of the world's great spirits.

Because understanding where tequila comes from, and why it can only come from there, makes every pour that little bit more meaningful.