MEXICO-MEZCAL

Jose Cortes (75), a Zapoteca native, owner of a mezcal distillery, speaks during an interview with AFP in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca state , Mexico on July 27, 2014. After decades of being in the shadow of the legendary tequila, the mezcal has managed to leave behind its reputation as a second line distillate and thanks to its meticulous traditional production is having a 'boom' inside and outside Mexico. In 2013 the production of mezcal increased 143 percent, reaching 2,5 million litres and the exports grew 12 percent, near one million litres, with 105 brands being exported to 31 countries. AFP PHOTO/OMAR TORRES AFP PHOTO/OMAR TORRES (Photo credit should read OMAR TORRES/AFP via Getty Images)