With a base of charred agave, mezcal is delightfully smoky, much like many whiskies, and fans of either will find plenty to like in both spirits. “Mezcal and whisky each have a great depth of flavor that enhances a cocktail—and even more so when paired together,” says Carlos Batista, food and beverage director at Landrace in the Thompson Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. “And you only need a couple of simple mixers, such as honey and lemon juice, to tie it all together.”Batista notes that pretty much any style of whisky will mix well with smoky, vegetal, earthy mezcal. “A wheat whisky is great because it tends to be milder, drier, and at times fruitier, so it doesn't overpower or compete with the mezcal,” he says. “Bourbon's notes of vanilla, toffee, caramel, and oak pair beautifully with mezcal, but a great rye is also fantastic, as it can add some spicier notes to the cocktail.” And the smoke notes of a peated scotch mingle nicely with the agave smoke of mezcal. “Mix the two together and it creates different layers of smoke, all unique,” Batista says.To achieve balance in a whisky-and-mezcal cocktail, Batista suggests pairing a lighter whisky with a smokier mezcal, or vice versa. “But at the end of the day, it's really all about personal preference,” he says.