What type of stills are used in Tequila and Mezcal production?

Tequila and Mezcal production primarily utilizes pot stills, which are traditionally used for distilling spirits. Pot stills are favored for their ability to produce spirits with greater flavor and character, which is particularly important given the complex flavors derived from the agave plant used in these beverages. In contrast, while column stills can also be employed for spirits production, they are more common in the production of lighter, neutral spirits, and are not the primary still type used in the artisanal methods often associated with Tequila and Mezcal.

The option mentioning "batch and hybrid stills" might refer to processes involving different distillation techniques but doesn't specifically highlight the traditional methods prevalent in Tequila and Mezcal production. Similarly, vacuum and reflux stills are specialized techniques used in other types of distillation, often for purifying or concentrating specific components, and are not characteristic of the traditional methods used for these Mexican spirits. Thus, the focus on pot stills in the answer accurately reflects the traditional practices in producing Tequila and Mezcal.