All tequila is Mezcal, but not all Mezcal is Tequila.  A distributor came into the store the past few months trying to sell me a new Tequila.  I finally decided to try the product and was amazed that it was very, very smooth (Tony agreed).  However, when I looked at the bottle it said Mezcal, not Tequila.  So, I asked what it was...he again said Tequila.  I am convinced it is Mezcal (they don't mess up labels like this).  Not that I can tell the difference from tasting...because I can not.  They are both made from Agave plants, though Tequila is made from Blue Agave (this is not required of Mezcal, which may use other Agave varieties).  Also, there are certain areas that the product must be produced in to be Tequila, primarily Jalisco.  The best known Mezcal area is Oaxaca.  These are usually very primitve productions and much smaller than the distilleries making Tequila.  The worm that is sometimes in the bottle is actually a larvae from a moth that lives in Agave plants.  However, the best Mezcals do not have worms.  They probably don't allow you to see visions either - drinking too much of it might.  As for Tequila/Mezcal designations....Silver/Blanco is unaged or aged less than 60 days in stainless steel, Gold is the same as Silver/Blanco, but colored with caramel, Reposado is aged 2 months to 1 year in wood, and Anejo is aged over 1 year (usually in Bourbon barrels).  Anyway, if you want to try a really nice Mezcal (that you can drink straight - as is common for Mezcal - or as you would use a Tequila to mix), come in and try Casa Curiel Mezcal Reposado.  Whatever it is, it tasted great and is $19.99/750ml bottle.

Adam