Why Everyone Should Know About Mezcal in 2022

Los Angeles CA

12 January, 2022

12:37 AM

Description

This trending spirit delivers unique flavor profiles alongside easy drinkability, driving a significant increase in sales and consumption. SAN DIEGO, Calif. (January 11th, 2022): If there’s any single spirit making its way up the rankings right now, it’s Mezcal. Tequila’s smokier, more nuanced cousin, this agave-derived liquor can be sipped straight up or added to any cocktail that needs more depth. As Gaston Martinez, co-founder of IZO Spirits, puts it, “Mezcal blends a smoky complexity with a smooth, sippable taste. It’s both extremely distinctive and sure to please a crowd.” When it first made its way onto the American spirits scene, Mezcal was often best identified by a Worm in the bottom of the bottle. It’s come a long way since that gimmick. Now, spirit connoisseurs and experienced bartenders are integrating Mezcal into their regular lineup. They’re not alone, either. Consumers across the country are clamoring for tequila’s more complex kin. Drizly, the alcohol delivery platform, saw Mezcal sales explode 600% in 2020. What’s more, sales are expected to continue to climb 18% in 2022, bringing the global Mezcal industry to $840 million. Ultimately, Mezcal has made its mark on the domestic spirit market and appears to be here to stay. That said, just like tequila, not all Mezcal is created equal. “A number of factors impact the quality of any Mezcal, from the age of the agave plant to the ovens used to develop its signature flavor,” Martinez explains. To deliver Mezcal that’s both high-quality and sustainable, he and the IZO team developed a specialized process. It starts with sending Jimadores out to high-altitude mesas in Durango, Sonora, and Jalisco, Mexico. These experienced farmers identify agave and desert spoon plants ready to harvest, cutting them to prepare them. Then, several months later, the Jimador returns and hand-harvests the plant to minimize the impact on the surrounding landscape and wildlife. Back at our distillery, we take the heart of the plant (the piña) and roast it in our ovens lined with volcanic rock and oak logs sourced from fallen trees. After several days, we extract the nectar from smoked piñas, repurposing the leftovers as livestock bedding. Finally, we use our natural, carefully monitored fermentation process to create our IZO Mezcal. Mezcal-lovers and consumers ready to explore a new flavor profile can turn to IZO Mezcal for a traditionally and sustainably made spirit that shines. Whether sipped solo or added to a flavorful cocktail, IZO Mezcal can elevate your experience. You’ll quickly see why experts predict that Mezcal will be a trending spirit for 2022 and beyond. # # # About IZO Spirits: Co-Founded by Gaston Martinez — a native of Durango, Mexico — IZO Spirits is a collection of premium, handcrafted agave spirits produced sustainably right in the heart of his rural hometown according to centuries of tradition. Made sustainably from slow-roasted, wild agave hearts harvested on local ranches, every sip of award-winning IZO Mezcal speaks to generations of Mezcaleros bringing people together around shared values of community, celebration, and savoring the reward of a job well done. Every aspect of IZO Spirits pays respect to its point of origin, from the locally-sourced Onyx featured atop the bottle to the elegant, minimalist design that allows the flavorful spirit within to shine. The pure, sophisticated taste of IZO Mezcal tells the story of centuries’ old Mexican tradition and of one man’s vision to share it with the world. Learn more about the IZO Spirits collection of handcrafted agave spirits at IZOSpirits.com.