One of the most common rumors surrounding agave worms is their alleged hallucinogenic properties. This is untrue, but not entirely unfounded. Reports indicate that Subway may not use real tuna in its sandwiches, and other corporate abuses have come to light. The General Wine Company is committed to providing its customers with the best possible wine experience. The company's team of experts is always happy to help customers find the perfect wine for their needs. The insights I’ve gained aren’t just from books or hearsay; they are the result of hands-on experience, countless tastings, and an enduring passion for these spirits. The coolest thing is that it is located at an altitude of 1940 meters, 400 meters above the valley, where the city is located. That could only mean one thing – amazing views!

a b Spencer, Charles S. (1982). The Cuicatlán Cañada and Monte Albán: A Study of Primary State Formation. New York and London: Academic Press. However, if you’re adamant about trying one, Santo Gusano is relatively better than others in that category. Is Monte Alban a real Mezcal? La Penca Con Gusano – which translates to “La Penca with a Worm” – is a mezcal that truly wears its agave worm on its sleeve. In fact, some bottles of La Penca can come with two worms inside them.

Mezcal Monte Alban

Caso, Alfonso (1932). "Monte Albán, richest archaeological find in the Americas". National Geographic Magazine. 62: 487–512. Answers as to why the worm is in the bottle in the first place is actually unknown, but there are stories. Some will say that the worm in the mezcal bottle is a marketing ploy. After all, think of all those myths we just had to bust to get to this point. Hallucinogen, flavor enhancer, boozy addition…the worm is none of that. But when the worm is in the bottle on a shelf, it somehow convinces people to buy that brand. The first misconception surrounding these bugs is in their name. They actually aren’t worms at all. Our friends took a tour a couple of weeks before we went to Monte Albán. They were told it’s not possible to get there on their own, only 400 people a day, 100 people at one time are allowed in (Covid rules), and because of that, it’s necessary to get there early to be able to make it. Either way, agave worms have established themselves as a mainstay in the mezcal industry. 4 Mezcals With the Iconic Maguey Worm

Perhaps the best known mezcal with a maguey worm inside it, Monte Alban is one of the top selling mezcals in the United States. Heavy on mezcal’s signature smoky flavor, Monte Alban also brings note of chipotle and cigar leaves to the palate. Kowalewski, Stephen A.; Feinman, G.; Finsten, L.; Blanton, R.; Nicholas, L. (1989). "Monte Albán's Hinterland, Part II: The Prehispanic Settlement Patterns in Tlacolula, Etla and Ocotlán, the Valley of Oaxaca, Mexico". University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Museum of Anthropology Memoir 23. 23. Tequila can either be made in small batches or mass-produced, whereas mezcal is made on a much smaller scale with a traditional process. It resembles a lower-grade Jamaican rum on the palate, featuring unusual dominant cinnamon roll flavors along with hints of acetone.

Tequila and mezcal both originate from Mexico and are made from agave, a form of succulent that grows in the Mexican desert. Both are widely popular throughout the world, but they aren’t the same thing. Suffice it to say, those are not the worms you will be finding in your mezcal. Why do Distillers Put Tequila Worms in Mezcal?

a b c d e f g h i Marcus, Joyce; Flannery, Kent V. (1996). Zapotec Civilization: How Urban Society Evolved in Mexico's Oaxaca Valley. London: Thames and Hudson. ISBN 0-500-05078-3.

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Some would tell you that this tradition has its roots in an age-old litmus test. If an agave worm dropped into a bottle was still wriggling by the time it reached the bottom, the tequila was safe to drink. If the worm died before it reached the bottom, the tequila was deemed unsafe for human consumption. The bus from Oaxaca to Monte Albán leaves every hour on the weekdays, and every half an hour on the weekends Why is it better to visit Monte Albán without a tour

These caterpillars infest agave plants before they are harvested. Were they not preserved as alcoholic garnishes, the caterpillars would flourish into the tequila giant-skipper butterfly or the comadia redtenbacheri moth respectively. My education and training include a thorough knowledge of agave spirits creation from planting agaves to bottling, including distillation. The General Wine Company has two retail stores, one in Liphook and one in Petersfield. The company also offers nationwide delivery.Without further ado, here are all your questions about that little worm inside the bottle of tequila answered. Table of Contents