Measuring Mezcal ABV with a Venencia
Welcome back to Mezcal Buzz! After a short break, I’m back with a fun and informative video, diving into a fascinating tool used in the mezcal-making process—the venencia. This traditional instrument is used by mezcaleros to measure the alcohol content in their mezcal batches, and today, I’ll show you exactly how it works.
What Is a Venencia?
A venencia is a tool used to determine the alcohol by volume (ABV) of mezcal by observing the formation of perlas (pearls or bubbles). The one I’m using today is a beautifully crafted piece I picked up from In Situ Bodega in Oaxaca.
It consists of:
- A carrizo, a hollowed-out plant similar to bamboo, with a small pinhole in the middle.
- A jícara, a gourd-like vessel used for mezcal tasting.
The mezcalero uses the venencia to pour mezcal from a height, allowing it to aerate and create bubbles. The size and duration of the bubbles indicate the alcohol content.
How Mezcal ABV is Measured
Traditional mezcal is typically around 45% ABV, though the official NOM-070 regulation allows mezcal to range from 36% to 55% ABV. However, many mezcaleros prefer their spirits to be on the higher end for a more authentic experience.
To demonstrate the venencia in action, I tested three different mezcals with varying alcohol contents:
1. Ojo de Tigre (37% ABV) – Barely Legal Mezcal
This mezcal is produced at the lower end of the allowed ABV spectrum, often watered down for the U.S. market to make it smoother. When poured, some small bubbles appeared but disappeared quickly, indicating lower alcohol content.
2. Mezcal Pulquero (54% ABV) – High Alcohol Content
This mezcal sits at the top of the ABV range (54%), just below the 55% maximum allowed. When poured, many small perlas formed across the entire surface, and they lasted much longer. This strong mezcal aligns with traditional production preferences.
3. Salvadores (48% ABV) – A Balanced Mezcal
At 48% ABV, Salvadores is closer to the traditional range that mezcaleros favor. The bubbles formed similarly to the 54% ABV mezcal, but they dispersed a little faster, making it a nice middle-ground example.
The Expertise of Mezcaleros
What’s truly impressive is how mezcaleros can visually estimate ABV just by observing perlas. At some palenques, I witnessed mezcal masters call out exact ABV percentages just by looking at the bubbles—and they were often only off by a fraction of a percent when checked with a scientific device.
Why You Should Try Using a Venencia
If you’re a mezcal enthusiast, a venencia is a great tool to experiment with and deepen your appreciation for mezcal’s traditional techniques. It also makes for a beautiful display piece.
If you’re interested in learning more about mezcal, don’t forget to subscribe to Mezcal Buzz on YouTube for more videos and insights into the world of agave spirits.