Plant that yields mezcal

AGAVE

This succulent’s spiky leaves are key to making a smoky Mexican spirit.

This clue points to "agave," the succulent plant used to make mezcal, a traditional Mexican spirit. Mezcal is distilled from the cooked heart (or piña) of the agave plant, much like tequila, though mezcal can come from many agave varieties. The answer is straightforward—no wordplay—just a direct reference to the plant’s key role in mezcal production.