Why is Mezcal cheaper in Mexico, but more Expensive in the USA

[Taverner]

And Tequila is cheaper here, but more expensive in Mexico?

[Kali]

1. didn't you ask this the other day?

hmmm *off to do a search*

[Taverner]

2. Yes - and it didn't get answered

Supply only makes for half of the problem

[Kali]

3. ok and it wasn't quite the same question

the other day you started by saying tequila tastes better like that should be justification for a higher price, but I said there were different grades of mescal just like tequila and no doubt some mescal tastes way better than some tequilas.

now obviously taste is subjective anyway, but the bottom line is there is just more tequila being marketed than mescal - it is and always has been marketing and demand that drives supplies (and costs)

Bacanora is another distilled agave beverage that you don't see much of and the crap that you can buy here tastes pretty shitty, and is pricey.

Currently the state of Chihuahua is encouraging the manufacture and export of several brands of sotol - try that when you get a chance, same deal - what I have tried is pretty harsh and I bet expensive on this side (what I bought wa expensive there, but I was buying in gringo gift shop setting instead of a liquor store or at the distillery (next trip!)

[Taverner]

4. You see - I went out and bought a bottle of Don Amado Plata

And I agree that Mezca, just like Tequila, comes in levels

All I had before was the Los Gusanos crap Mezcal

[Kali]

5. and I haven't tried any other than that crap either so I sure am not

even above tourist level "expertise" for mescal, hell we have thousands of some kind of agaves here, maybe I should try at least making pulque some year, don't have a still but wouldn't that be fun to sell at the local farmer's market?

so, how is the Don Amado?

[Taverner]

6. Hmmm...you have me thinking now

What if we grow some agave in our home states, compare the pinas of the mezcal plant, and then each distill our own tequilas, and see what happens at a farmer's market?

[jmowreader]

8. You know exactly what would happen

There is a term for selling homemade tequila at a farmer's market: bootlegging.

[Chan790]

9. Only if you don't pay the liquor taxes...

and get a liquor license to distribute. I think the farmer's market is probably a poor venue choice though.

Some of the best micro-batched spirits, such as "Tito's Homemade Vodka", started similar to his tequila suggestion. Actually, Tito made the vodka, thought it was good, tried to get it into liquor stores, couldn't break the market, sold it however he could, gave some away to create demand, sold it on consignment and finally broke into the market when his vodka consistently whupped the ever living shit out of Grey Goose, Belvedere, Ketel One and Stoli in tastings and competitions.

Even better, it's really really cheap...$20/bot. for a super-premium quality vodka.

[Kali]

7. here is something to read and think about

http://www.tomzap.com/slowfood.html

[trackfan]

10. Have you ever tried (the blessed) pulque?

They have it in my local store, but I haven't taken the plunge yet.

http://martinigod.com/blog.htm

[ashling]

11. I believe you have answered your own question

if it (Mezcal or Tequila) is cheaper in Mexico it is, by definition, more expensive here

therefore it is more expensive here, the reason is that it is cheaper there and vice versa

:crazy: