This is probably the question on many people’s minds today… The answer is simple: the designation and term MEZCAL is protected by standards that limit the physical-chemical characteristics of mezcal to values that can only be consistently achieved with industrial processes. Moreover, these standards are backed by the economic interests of large brands—including tequila—which make it impossible for producers using ancestral and artisanal practices to meet the specifications and compete fairly and sustainably.
However, the more interesting question is: WHICH OF THE TWO IS OF BETTER QUALITY?
The answer is definitely very controversial, as the mezcal industry claims that the quality of its products is regulated through the aforementioned standard, 070-SCFI-2016, which establishes specifications for physical-chemical characteristics such as methanol, lead, furfural, arsenic, etc., with the aim of safely protecting the consumer’s health.
In contrast, the opinions of farmers, mezcaleros, and advocates of mezcal heritage—as well as a select group of connoisseur consumers—argue that regulation by official organizations has driven up production costs due to service fees, administrative bureaucracy, and excessively strict specifications.
Another argument is that regulatory institutions have been corrupted by famous brands and influential figures in the artistic-political sphere, granting certifications in exchange for financial favors.
As a result, it is popularly stated that NOT EVERYTHING SOLD AS MEZCAL IS MEZCAL. The issue is undeniably very polarized, and there is likely no single truth. However, we believe that MEZCAL THAT IS NOT CERTIFIED, with genuine origins and an extraordinary cultural legacy, deserves a fair opportunity to reach all consumers in search of that part of our Mexican culture—and the simplest way to do so is by calling it agave DISTILLATE. PUNTIAGUDO promotes the fair-priced dissemination of extraordinary distillates, emphasizing recognition for the men and women who produce them.
