The Beverage Testing Institute does not say that mezcal is the purest distilled alcohol
“According to the Beverage Testing Institute of Chicago in Illinois, mezcal is the purest distillate or alcohol that exists on the planet and the noblest with the human body.” Or, at least, that’s the oft-repeated quote that comes up every several months and drives the folks at the Beverage Testing Institute crazy. So I’ve invited Andrew Moldenhauer, their Director, on to clear up the confusion.
Agave Road Trip is a critically acclaimed, award-winning podcast that helps gringx bartenders better understand agave, agave spirits, and rural Mexico. This episode is hosted by Lou Bank with special guest Andrew Moldenhauer of the Beverage Testing Institute.
Episode Notes
If that story about the fine issued against Comercam, you can read that story here.
Here’s the full made-up quote on the Mezcal Complice website: “According to the Beverage Testing Institute of Chicago in Illinois, mezcal is the purest distillate or alcohol that exists on the planet and the noblest with the human body. This characteristic comes from its chemical composition. While other beverages are converted into monosaccharide sugars that our liver must process and eliminate, producing that unpleasant effect known as hangover; mezcal is transformed into a polysaccharide sugar, which, as soon as it comes in contact with the mouth, begins to disintegrate, making its transformation in the body much faster and with fewer side effects. However, we must understand that mezcal, besides being magical, is jealous.” Find it here (at least before this episode was released).
Here are previous episodes of Agave Road Trip in which Dr. Ryan Aycock, Cocktail MD, clarifies that Mezcal is not healthy:
“A Small Amount of Alcohol a Day May Make You Healthier?,” Season 2, Episode 88
“Healthy living through mezcal,” Season 2, Episode 96
“The Effects of Alcohol and Your Shrinking Brain,” Season 2, Episode 90
“Tequila and the myth of the low-glycemic index,” Season 2, Episode 108
And check out Simply Cocktails by Dr. Ryan Aycock, the Cocktail MD!
Here’s that study I quoted: Saraiva A, Carrascosa C, Ramos F, Raheem D, Raposo A. “Agave Syrup: Chemical Analysis and Nutritional Profile, Applications in the Food Industry and Health Impacts.” Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jun 8;19(12):7022. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19127022. PMID: 35742286; PMCID: PMC9222424.
Here are the Forbes stories I referenced:
“The World’s Best Mezcals, According To The Beverage Testing Institute,” Forbes, June 17, 2024
“The World’s Top Tequilas, According To The Beverage Testing Institute,” Forbes, June 17, 2024
I interviewed Chuck Cowdery about the history of barrel-aging spirits for “Barrel-Aged Mezcal Is a Uniquely Delicious Spirit,” an article I wrote for InsideHook, published November 10, 2022
To learn more about aging in wood specifically and whiskey in general, check out the 17 years worth of articles written by Chuck Cowdery!