Tequila
Tequila is one of the fastest-growing spirits in the U.S., with America consuming even more than they do in its homeland of Mexico. The biggest growth is in the premium and super-premium categories, as drinkers discover the pleasure of sipping rather than slamming good tequila. Tequila is in fact a type of mezcal, but one that has a specific “domain of origin” status and which must be made from a single species of agave, the blue agave. Tequila must be made in certain designated areas in Mexico, the biggest being the state of Jalisco, where the town of Tequila is located. Rack “tequila” must contain at least 51% blue agave sugars, and the remainder can be just about anything, including corn syrup. However, quality tequila will state on the bottle that it is made from 100% blue agave. Anything less than this (think Cuervo Gold) is called a mixto. Within Mexico, tequila can be bottled at anything from 62 to 110 proof, but within the U.S. it must be at least 80 proof. Blanco (silver or white) tequila is sold unaged, reposado tequila must be aged at least two months in white oak barrels, and añejo (aged) tequila are aged for twelve months minimum. Finally, extra añejo must be aged for at least three years. A new variety of tequila, generally called cristalino, is aged tequila that has been filtered to remove color, giving it the appearance of a blanco but the flavor of an añejo.
Top Tequila Posts:
Understanding the Different Styles of Tequila
A Visit to Casa Herradura
A Visit to the Don Julio Tequila Distillery
Wild Common is a Jackson Hole, Wyoming-based tequila company founded by, of all people, National Geographic photographer Andy Bardon. While the operation has a three expressions and a mezcal on the market, we have never had a chance to review any of them — until this fourth tequila, an anejo, came along. The 100% highlands agave…
Tequila Herradura makes a silver tequila already, so what’s the point of this blanco — which is a totally separate thing? Look closely and you’ll find that Herradura Silver is aged for 45 days before bottling — hence the light yellow color. Herradura Blanco is the straight stuff, bottled straight off the still with no…
There are extra anejo tequilas and there are extra anejo tequilas. Fuenteseca, crafted by farmer-turned-distiller Enrique Fonseca, this ultra-premium spirit isn’t just aged in a unique combination of barrels — American oak previously used for Gran Reserva Rioja and Ribera del Duero wines, and French oak that once held Bordeaux Reserve wines — it’s aged…
Laying claim to status as the fastest growing tequila brand in the U.S. (for the moment, anyway), Alma del Jaguar hit the scene in 2023 with big ambitions, not just to make premium tequila but to help wild jaguars in northern Mexico, too. (A portion of proceeds goes toward supporting the Northern Jaguar Project, a…
Founded by James Montero and crafted in partnership with fifth-generation Master Distiller Jimmy Villalobos Sauza, Cachasol may be a new tequila brand hitting the market, but it has a lot of experience behind it. It also has some cool innovation. To begin, it is 100% natural, made entirely without additives or sweeteners. I actually found…
Reviewing Tesla Mezcal comes with so much baggage I need one of those luggage carts to get it all out of here. I guess we can start with the answers to some basic questions. Yes, this is Tesla-branded mezcal. Yes, it is real mezcal (it’s made by Nosotros, which is a legit operation). Yes, it…
Mijenta Tequila hit the scene in 2021, and it’s been dribbling out new expressions and a steady clip, starting first with the three classic expressions, then a cristalino (which we haven’t seen), and finally a series of limited edition offerings, including its Maestra Selection blanco and this, a reposado in its Symphony Series, which is actually…
Let’s give tequila newcomer Cambio some credit for mixing things up in the tequila world. While these are both 100% Highlands blue agave, additive free tequilas, they are unusual in that they are fermented at low temperatures in tanks lined with American white oak and Mexican pine before distillation. Bottling, at 46% abv, is considerably…
La Maison & Velier is best known (and rightfully so) for its world-class rum program, but it also releases limited edition bottlings of other spirits — including mezcal. The Palenqueros line is a series of “single palenque” expressions made in limited quantities in Oaxaca, each showcasing the name and photograph of the producer on the…
CasAzar is the newest tequila vying for membership in the exclusive, ultra-ultra-premium tequila market. This distinguished club of tequilas is marked by exorbitant price tags along with impossibly tall bottles that don’t fit on any typical liquor shelf and require special placement where they can, hopefully, garner even more attention. And yet, despite the hype,…