Mezcal is a vast category of spirits made from agave and tequila is a small subset of mezcal, much like bourbon is a kind of whiskey, or Chardonnay is a kind of wine. "Basically, the way I think about it is that tequila is a kind of mezcal, but there are different kinds that are not," Block explains.

Overall, Mezcal is pretty boozy, and different brands often vary between 40 and 50% ABV. However, tequila is also generally in the range of about 38 to 55% ABV. So basically, these spirits are just about the same in their levels of booziness.

Mezcal is made from the agave plant, which contains a high level of antioxidants called saponins. These antioxidants can help to protect against oxidative damage caused by free radicals in the body, which has been linked to a range of chronic diseases. Mezcal may also have potential cardiovascular benefits.

Though other types of mezcal are not as popular as tequila, Mexico does export the product, mostly to Japan and the United States, and exports are increasing as the liquor grows in popularity. Despite the similar name, mezcal does not contain mescaline or other psychedelic substances.