Which type of distilled spirit is primarily made from agave?

Tequila is a distilled spirit that is primarily made from the blue agave plant, which is native to Mexico. The production of tequila involves the fermentation of the sugars present in the agave, followed by distillation. The unique flavors and characteristics of tequila come from the specific variety of agave used, as well as the region in which it is produced, primarily the state of Jalisco.

In contrast, vodka is typically made from grains or potatoes, rum is produced from sugarcane or molasses, and gin is distilled from grains and flavored with botanicals, particularly juniper. Each of these spirits has its own base ingredient that significantly influences its flavor profile, making tequila distinct in its reliance on agave. This singular focus on agave is what definitively categorizes tequila in the realm of distilled spirits.