Mezcal, unlike its infamous offspring, tequila, has until recently been one of Mexico’s best-kept secrets. And if the only thing that springs to mind when you think of tequila is tequila slammers, it’s time to think again. 'Mezcalerias' are popping up across the world and mezcal is increasingly seen on the menus of the most discerning and hippest bars, drawing crowds to dedicated venues from New York City to London, Tokyo and beyond. The popularity of agave spirits is booming, and there is a reason why. Astonishingly, there are more than 150 varieties of agave involved in mezcal production. The spirit works like a wine – it’s all about terroir – while the properties of the agave plant means that no other drink makes you feel quite as good as mezcal does. In this book, Thomas reveals the centuries-old history, myths and rituals that surround this fascinating spirit (does that worm in the bottle really make you hallucinate until you go blind?), and what lies ahead for the mezcal business. This authoritative, fun and accessible guide is the go-to book on this incredible spirit, with an in-depth illustrated guide of to up to 90 mezcals, from backyard heroes to the big names.