Del Maguey Vida
San Luis del Río, Oaxaca
100% espadín agave, earth-pit roasted, double-distilled in copper. The entry-level Del Maguey but still small-batch and additive-free.
- Congeners
- Moderate
- Histamines
- Low
- Polyphenols
- Low
- Sulfites
- Very Low
- Tannins
- Low
- Sugar
- Very Low
- Additives
- Very Low
In its favor
- ✓Traditional production
- ✓Additive-free under DO Mezcal
- ✓Higher proof carries flavor without dilution
What to watch
- !Smoke phenols sensitive for some drinkers
- !Higher methanol than tequila baseline
Factor by factor
Congeners Moderate ▾
Byproducts of fermentation (methanol, acetaldehyde, fusel alcohols). Strongly linked to hangover severity; darker, less-distilled spirits carry more.
Histamines Low ▾
Produced by bacteria during fermentation/aging. Trigger flushing, headaches, congestion in sensitive drinkers. High in red wine, beer, aged spirits.
Polyphenols Low ▾
Plant compounds with antioxidant activity. Slightly protective at low doses but at high concentrations may worsen hangover via tannin/quercetin reactions.
Sulfites Very Low ▾
Preservatives (SO₂) added to wine and some beers. Common trigger of headaches, asthma, and allergic-type reactions.
Tannins Low ▾
Astringent polyphenols from skins, seeds, barrels. Bind proteins, slow alcohol clearance, and aggravate dehydration-style symptoms.
Sugar Very Low ▾
Residual sugar amplifies hangover via blood-sugar swings and dehydration. Liqueurs and cocktails are the main offenders.
Additives Very Low ▾
Colorants, flavorings, glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbates. Cheap spirits and ready-to-drinks often hide these in trade-secret formulas.
Vida is the mezcal that introduced a generation of American drinkers to the category. Honest production, real smoke, and chemistry that’s noticeably heavier than tequila.
Del Maguey Vida questions
Is Del Maguey Vida gluten-free? ▾
Yes. Del Maguey Vida is gluten-free, with no wheat, barley or rye at any stage.
What proof is Del Maguey Vida? ▾
Del Maguey Vida is 84 proof, which is 42% alcohol by volume.
Does Del Maguey Vida give you a bad hangover? ▾
Del Maguey Vida scores 5/10 on the SpiritFacts Hangover Index, against 5/10 for mezcal overall. It is low on every hangover factor we track, so most of the morning after comes down to how much ethanol you drink.
Is Del Maguey Vida vegan? ▾
Yes. Del Maguey Vida is listed as vegan, with no animal-derived ingredients or fining agents.