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
Mijenta is a new highlands tequila (originated by a former Bacardi CEO) that bills itself as carbon neutral and having a “distinct flavor profile.” For now it is available only as a blanco. A reposado and additional expressions are coming down the line. Ana Maria Romero, who created Volcan de Mi Tierra, serves as Maestra…
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El Sativo is an organic, “single estate” Lowlands tequila that claims to “set itself apart by utilizing a special distillation method that naturally highlights the agave plant’s precious resources known to have mood lifting and energy boosting attributes.” OK. Every bottle sold gives back to ocean conservancy charities. It’s available only as a blanco, and…
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El Mayor’s Extra Anejo recently got a special edition line extension. This limited edition variant takes El Mayor’s XA (which has already spent 3 1/2 years in bourbon barrels) and finishes it for an undisclosed length of time in rum casks. There’s also no detail on the rum distillery that El Mayor has partnered with.…
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Longmont, Colorado is home to Dry Land Distillers, a true grain-to-glass craft operation “influenced and inspired by Colorado’s landscapes.” “With a focus on single grain 100% wheat whiskeys, prickly pear cactus spirits, native Colorado gin and pure cane sugar rum, Dry Land spirits represent the authentic flavors of the American West,” per the company. Today…
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Tequila Partida is taking a cue from the Roca Patron with the launch of an upscale series of tequilas that pushes the brand further upmarket. This new limited release series is known as Partida Roble Fino, the trick being that its three expressions — Reposado, Reposado Cristalino, and Añejo — are all finished in sherry-seasoned single…
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Bandero’s agave is grown in the Guachimontones region of Jalisco, making it a Lowlands tequila. Available only as a blanco, Bandero lays claim to being “the world’s smoothest sipping tequila,” which is as bold a statement as it is meaningless. That aside, let’s give it a taste. Bandero calls its character heavy on florals, but…
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Peloton de la Muerte (literally “death squad”) is a mezcal brand that’s offered a single Espadin-based expression for about three years. We haven’t reviewed it, but we recently received samples of Peloton’s two new line extensions, Criollo and a vegan Pechuga. Both mezcals are produced with wild agave grown in the Mexican state of Guerrero.…
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Sotol is typically thought of as a Mexican spirit, if it’s thought of at all, but Desert Door makes the only U.S. sotol on the market, distilled from Desert Spoon plants that grow in its native Texas. Launching with a straight blanco version, which was followed by an oak-aged expression, the company has now embarked…
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I don’t know who country singer Jon Wolfe is, but I’m impressed by his new tequila, Juan Lobo, at least the reposado expression of it, which we recently received for review. While the name of the tequila doesn’t exactly connote quality, it turns out that “Juan Lobo” is Wolfe’s alter-ego/nickname, so I suppose it will…
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El Tequileno is an affordable brand founded by Don Jorge Salles Cuervo in 1959 that bills itself as “Mexico’s best-kept secret.” It’s made from blue agave from Los Altos de Jalisco (the Highlands) and volcanic spring water from El Volcan de Tequila. Unusually, this blanco (sometimes billed as Platinum on the label) is rested for…
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