You can sip it plain. You can have it with a mixer, or you can pour it over ice or splash it in a cocktail.
In fact, the only thing you cannot do with agave spirits is call it tequila — that's reserved for the stuff actually made in Mexico.
But whatever the name, the taste of success is proving pretty sweet for Echuca Distillery, with its agave spirit winning two gold medals at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Started in 2019 by brothers Peter and David de Vries, the pair won a gold each for their Chilli Lime and Smoked agave spirits.
The pair's Silver and Gold Agave Spirits were also awarded silver medals at the competition.
"Tequila is the most popular spirit in the US right now," says Peter de Vries, head distiller at Echuca Distillery.
"They know their Tequila and their agave spirits, so we figured, let's send our spirits out to the experts and get them to judge it and see how it goes.
"And we're absolutely stoked with how it has gone."
Up, up and agave
It is not just in the US where spirits made from the agave plant are taking off. Australia is the third biggest consumer of the drinks after Mexico and the US.
Production is also booming Down Under, with Australia's first commercial-scale agave farm, based in the Whitsundays, recently unveiling its first trial run of agave spirit at the Tasting Australia festival.
In short, the way we make and consume agave spirits in Australia is changing.
"We're finally getting away from the idea that tequila or mescal or agave is just something you do a shot of to start the night," says Callan Boys, national food and drink writer for Nine's Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
"In Australia, we're seeing a lot more respect for the spirit in bars and in cocktails — and the distillers are following suit."
Boys said the international award could be the start of big things for the regional distillery.
"The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is huge," he said.
"It's definitely the most prestigious spirits awards in the world — once you get those medals on your label, the word starts to spread."
Mr de Vries said the agave spirit had become a big focus for the Echuca Distillery.
"We're the first distillery in Victoria to produce agave spirits," he said.
"And there's only a handful in Australia following suit."
From Echuca to the world
For Mr de Vries, this is just more proof that opening a family distillery was the right move.
"We opened just before COVID, so we've had some interesting times between that and the flooding," he said.
"But despite that, I guess we've flourished.
"We've got a huge range of products … but right now, we're really proud to pushing the agave."
