Mezcla means mix or mixture in Spanish. In mezcal lingo, it may refer to mezcals blended after distillation. Note that this is different from an ensamble, which is a mezcal distilled from different types of agave that were fermented together.
The idea of a mezcla is relatively new, most likely emerging in the early 21st Century. Traditionally, mezcals were typically made from all of the agave that was ripe in the area at harvest time. As demand for mezcal grew, producers and their business partners began making single agave mezcals in the late 20th Century, most likely inspired by other spirits and wines. Later on they started blending batches of single agave mezcals to create mezclas.
While there is no legal definition of mezcla or ensemble, some traditional mezcal makers insist that it is an important distinction because an ensemble reflects traditional practices and is a far more labor intensive operation that requires more knowledge and nuance. Here is a deeper dive on the entire topic of ensembles and mezclas.
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