What Is Sotol?

Updated July 2026.

Sotol is a Mexican Dasylirion spirit — not tequila and not mezcal. NOM-159-SCFI-2004 covers sotol from Dasylirion (sereque) in the Chihuahua, Coahuila, or Durango appellation, bottled at 35–55%. Classes include blanco, joven u oro, reposado, and añejo. The CRT certifies tequila, not sotol. Typical US bottles print 40%. A 1.5-ounce pour at 40% is one NIAAA drink.

Related: sotol vs tequila, tequila vs mezcal, tequila taste.

Class vs pour

Language 1.5 oz drinks
Sotol 0.88–1.38
Tequila 0.88–1.38
Mezcal 0.88–1.38
Typical US bottle 1.00

A 750 mL 40% bottle is about 17 drinks. Four pours are four drinks. Pour math: agave-spirit drinks.

Sources

  • NOM-159-SCFI-2004. NOM-006 + CRT. NOM-070 + CRM.
  • NIAAA December 2025.
  • NOM-159; Dasylirion; 35–55%
  • NOM-006; blue weber; CRT
  • NOM-070; 100% agave; CRM

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