Dasylirion wheeleri

While not an agave the Dasylirion wheeleri which is used in making sotol is often included in the mezcal category because it is produced in exactly the same way, the leaves are cut from the plant and the heart cut off the base which is then roasted underground, crushed, fermented with wild yeasts, and the resulting mash is distilled in small stills.

Sotol also differs from mezcal because the name “Sotol” is not recognized as a protected appellation by the United States so people can and do produce Sotol in the US and label their products as such.

While outside of the official Mexican DO Sonora also boasts its own Dasylirion distillate called Palmia locally.

Found in Chihuahua, Texas, Bacanora, Coahuila and Durango.