Double distillation in a copper still: heads, heart and tails
Artisanal mezcal is distilled twice, over direct fire, in a copper pot still or a clay pot. The first run separates alcohol from the fermented mash; the second refines it. On each run the master distiller decides what to keep: the heads (puntas, what comes out first), the heart and the tails (colas, what comes out last). That cut defines much of the quality.
What does the standard say about distillation?
Mexico's NOM-070-SCFI-2016 sets three categories by process:
| Category | Distillation allowed |
|---|---|
| Mezcal | Copper or stainless steel pot stills or columns |
| Mezcal artesanal | Direct fire in a copper pot still or clay pot; agave fiber may be included |
| Mezcal ancestral | Direct fire in a clay pot with a clay or wood cap; fiber may be included |
First distillation
The fermented mash, with or without fiber, is heated in the still. Vapor rises, cools in the coil and comes out as a low-proof first distillate that many palenques call ordinario. It isn't mezcal yet: too many impurities, too little strength.
Second distillation and the cuts
The ordinario goes back into the still. This time the master distiller splits what comes out into three parts:
| Cut | When it comes out | What it carries |
|---|---|---|
| Heads (puntas) | First | Very high proof and highly volatile compounds; intense aromas and higher alcohols |
| Heart | Middle | The cleanest, most balanced part of the mezcal |
| Tails (colas) | Last | Low proof, fatty acids, acetic acid and methanol |
A study of Oaxacan mezcal found higher alcohols concentrate in the heads, while methanol and acetic acid peak in the tails (Vera Guzmán et al., 2009).
The adjustment
After the cuts, the master distiller may blend small amounts of heads and tails back into the heart to reach the desired proof and profile. The standard allows mezcal from 35% to 55% ABV. Many mezcaleros use the perlado (the bead pattern when pouring) as their guide (Nogales, CEMMEZ, 2025).
Why copper?
Copper conducts heat very well, which makes direct-fire distillation easier to control, and it's the material the standard recognizes for artisanal mezcal alongside clay. Clay gives slower runs and an earthier profile.
How it applies to ZUNTE
ZUNTE is double-distilled in a copper still over 35 hours. The cuts are made by master distiller (maestro mezcalero) Juventino Cruz, of the family's fourth generation, aiming for a clean mezcal with light smoke and herbal, citrus notes.
FAQ
How many times is mezcal distilled?
Usually twice: the first run makes the ordinario and the second refines the mezcal.
What are heads and tails?
Heads are the first, high-proof part of the second run; tails are the last, low-proof part, carrying acids and methanol.
Is artisanal mezcal distilled in copper or clay?
NOM-070 allows both for artisanal mezcal, always over direct fire. Ancestral mezcal only in clay.
What is the adjustment?
Blending small parts of heads and tails into the heart to reach the desired proof and profile.
