As the Mountain West Fiesta Fest prepares to launch its inaugural tequila tasting event this Saturday in Box Elder, the team behind the Whiskey@Work podcast capped off their month-long tequila series with a spirited episode dedicated entirely to mezcal—a smoky, complex agave-based spirit often misunderstood by casual drinkers.
Hosts Mark and Rob took listeners through their evolving appreciation for tequila over the course of April, starting with mixto varieties and climbing the aging ladder through blanco, reposado, and añejo expressions. But the final installment dug into mezcal, the often-smoky cousin of tequila, known for its artisanal roots and distinctive production methods.
“Did you know all tequila is mezcal, but not all mezcal is tequila?” Rob asked, teeing up one of the episode’s central takeaways. While tequila must be made from Blue Weber agave and produced primarily in the Jalisco region, mezcal can be made from over 30 agave species and is traditionally cooked in underground fire pits. That pit-roasting process imparts the signature smokiness that sets mezcal apart.
The hosts sampled two artisanal mezcals—Xicaru Silver and Montelobos Espadín—and discussed the difference between industrial, artisanal, and ancestral mezcal classifications. Artisanal mezcals like the ones they tasted use natural fermentation, stone crushing (called tahona), and underground roasting, while ancestral versions take things further by banning metal tools and using clay pots.
Both bottles impressed the hosts with their smoothness and light smoke, reminiscent of a campfire more than the medicinal peatiness found in Islay scotch. “It’s smoke, not peat,” Mark noted. “And that makes all the difference.”
They also tackled why many people have an aversion to tequila—blaming bad high school memories and cheap mixtos like Jose Cuervo Gold. But after revisiting even that infamous bottle, the hosts found surprising merit when approached with a more mature palate.
The episode wasn’t all agave education. Listeners also got detours into 8th-grade vanity (Rob confessed to perming his mullet), the economics of tequila production, and the future of the Mountain West series of festivals—which may eventually add wine to the mix. “That could get expensive,” Rob joked.
Mountain West Fiesta Fest—billed as South Dakota’s largest tequila tasting event—will feature around 100 tequilas, authentic Mexican street food, live Lucha Libre wrestling, and more. The event is the third in the Mountain West series, following previous beer and whiskey festivals.
Fiesta Fest Details:
📅 Saturday, May 3
📍 The Box Events Center, Box Elder
⏰ VIP Admission: 1 PM | General Admission: 2 PM
🎟️ Tickets: mountainwestfiestafest.com
“It’s going to be fun,” said Mark. “And if you still think tequila just means lime, salt, and regret—you definitely need to come to this.”
