Short answer is no. Tequila is technically a Mezcal, however, they do differ in production and the type of Agave used. Tequila is made from a single species of Agave called the Blue Weber Agave and must be produced in Jalisco, Mexico and a few surrounding municipalities. Mezcal on the other hand can be produced from 28 different types of Agave (including Blue Weber) and is typically made in the city of Oaxaca. Tequila is made in above-ground ovens where Mezcal is cooked using in-ground pits. Piñas are roasted in the ground which is typically where the smokey flavor of Mezcal comes from.