Agave Spirits
Tequila
&
Mezcal Guide
A tasting guide from Rio Viejo, Worcester's home for authentic Mexican cuisine and one of the region's deepest agave-spirits selections.
Visit Us for a TastingIntroduction
From the Agave Fields to Your Glass
Tequila and mezcal are both made from the agave plant, but they follow very different traditions. Tequila is produced only from blue Weber agave, mostly in the state of Jalisco. Mezcal can be made from more than thirty agave varieties across Oaxaca and beyond, and is traditionally roasted in earthen pits — the source of its signature smoke. At Rio Viejo we pour both, and this guide is the same one our bartenders use to help guests find their favorite.
Tequila Styles
Blanco, Reposado & Añejo
Blanco (Silver)
Unaged or rested less than two months in stainless steel. Bright, peppery, and grassy — the purest expression of the agave. Best in margaritas, palomas, and shots with lime and sal de gusano.
Reposado
“Rested” in oak between two and twelve months. Softer edges, gentle vanilla and caramel notes over the agave. Our staff pick for sipping neat when you're new to tequila.
Añejo
Aged one to three years in small oak barrels. Deep amber, with butterscotch, dried fruit, and a long finish. Sip it slowly at room temperature — no ice, no lime.
Extra Añejo
Aged over three years. Rich, whiskey-like, and complex. A special-occasion pour — ask our bar team what's open tonight.
Mezcal
The Smoky Side of Agave
Where tequila is refined and citrusy, mezcal is smoky, earthy, and full of character. The smoke comes from roasting the agave hearts (piñas) in wood-fired pits before fermentation. Espadín is the most common variety and a great place to start; Tobalá and Tepeztate are wilder, more expressive pours worth trying once you're hooked.
Traditional service: neat, at room temperature, in a small clay copita, alongside a slice of orange dusted with sal de gusano — chile-and-worm salt.
How to Taste
Tasting Tips
Look & Smell
Pour a small measure into a copita or snifter. Swirl gently, then breathe in with your mouth slightly open — this softens the alcohol so you can catch the agave, citrus, or smoke underneath.
Sip Slowly
Take a small sip and let it coat your tongue before swallowing. Notice sweetness first, then spice or smoke on the finish. Water and a bite of orange between pours keep your palate fresh.
From Our Kitchen
Pairings at Rio Viejo
Blanco tequila cuts through citrusy ceviche and fresh guacamole. Reposado shines beside carnitas and tacos al pastor. Añejo stands up to mole poblano and slow-braised barbacoa. Mezcal loves anything grilled — carne asada, chile-rubbed shrimp, and our house-made queso fundido.
Come Taste With Us
Visit Rio Viejo
50 Franklin St, Worcester, MA 01608
Opening hours:
Sun – Thu: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Fri – Sat: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm