In today’s mezcal landscape, some of the most celebrated spirits are not made from a single agave species, but from two, three, or more varieties cooked and distilled together.
What should they be called? The debate is still ongoing.
The most straightforward term in Spanish is mezcla (blend), although some producers avoid it to prevent confusion among consumers. Others adopt ensamble (assemblage), a term borrowed from the wine world. However, unlike winemaking—where blending typically happens after fermentation—in traditional mezcal the combination occurs from the very beginning: the agave hearts are roasted together and the process continues as a single unit.
Beyond terminology, these expressions now represent a sophisticated category within the market. They tend to offer complex, structured, and harmonious profiles, and they occupy a prominent place on specialty bar menus and private collections.
A return to origins
Curiously, this “avant-garde” approach may also be a form of tradition.
In the early days of Oaxacan mezcal production, the first spirits were likely accidental blends. Producers cooked whatever agaves were available in their surroundings, without strictly separating them by species. The logic was practical and agricultural, not commercial.
From an environmental perspective as well, working with multiple species reduces pressure on a single type of agave and supports a more sustainable dynamic. Diversifying not only enriches the sensory profile, but also the ecosystem.


