In pursuit of the story behind a beguiling drink Granville Greene embarks on a journey through the remote Mexican highlands to discover the histories and traditions behind this smoke-drenched agave distillate that has quickly become a craft cocktail darling, rivaling even its better-known cousin tequila.Greene visits the Zapotec, Mixtec, and Nahua communities, sipping rare, small-batch mezcals poured straight from the stills of mezcaleros who craft the drink using local agaves, family recipes, and production methods passed down through generations. Here, the drink is reserved for special occasions and puro, celebrating the diverse characters of numerous agave varieties and the deeply smoky flavor imparted by the underground wood-fired ovens in which their hearts are baked. A seasoned travel writer, Greene brings readers along on his captivating quest for the soul of the oldest distillate in The Americas, detailing the sights, smells, and intoxicating flavors of the mountainous Oaxaca a