Tequila has a protected appellation of origin honored through trade agreements with other countries similar to Champagne or Bourbon. Tequila must be produced in one of the five approved states of Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Nayarit, Guanajuato, or Mihoacán. Tequila is an agave-based spirit and must include at least 50% of its base from the high-quality Blue Weber agave plant. Spirits made in Mexico from other species of the agave plant are known as Mezcal. Most Mezcal production is based in Oaxaca and has a smokier flavor than Tequila.