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
Severo is a new tequila brand from Tequilera Don Roberto, imported by San Francisco’s Hotaling & Co. It’s made from seven year old agave plants, growing region unstated. A little backstory on Don Roberto: Established in 1924, Tequilera Don Roberto is one of two remaining Mexican-owned heritage tequila businesses and is still owned and operated…
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The range of mezcals available in the U.S. is growing and the ones we are trying today represent a fantastic new range of offerings. The Mal de Amor distillery is owned and run by the Hernandez family and is located in Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca, Mexico. All of the mezcals we are trying are joven, which…
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Mijenta‘s second expression is here, taking its base Highlands agave and aging it for up to six months in a blend of American white oak, French oak, and French acacia wood casks. The finished product is soft and approachable, offering a solid balance between the freshness of agave and the sweetness driven by the barrel.…
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Aguamiel is the sap of the agave plant. It’s the stuff they actually make pulque out of, not tequila, but let’s put that aside, since it’s still a pretty good name for a spirit. Aguamiel the tequila is made from a mix of Highlands and Lowlands agaves — 100% Weber, of course — from plants…
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The iconic, squat, Gaudi-esque bottle is out. In its place, a more traditional — but still striking — taller decanter, as Casa Noble relaunches its brand. And what’s inside the bottles has also changed: The new liquid being “more refined” and “reimagined,” though the tequila remains 100% blue agave and CCOF Certified Organic. We received…
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We brought you coverage of El Sativo’s organic, “single estate” Lowlands blanco earlier this year — which we loved. Now we’re back with reviews of its other expressions, a reposado and an anejo, both of which launched months later. Ready to dive in? Both expressions are 80 proof. El Sativo Single Estate Tequila Reposado – Aged…
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Ready for Christmas? Ready for Christmas 2023, maybe? Our long day’s journey into night may have continued unabated this year, but we’re hopeful you’ve at least found some ability to get out of the house, maybe take a trip, and reconnect with friends and family this season. Naturally, you’re still not going to be able…
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Celebrities turned their attention to whiskey in 2021, which left the tequila world free to explore new products without a bunch of Hollywood types sniffing around. Whew! Innovation is running wild down in Mexico these days, with some really interesting products hitting the scene of late. As we always do around this time of year,…
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Hiatus Tequila is a new premium brand which launched in 2018, but we only recently received a sample to check out — and only the reposado. It’s founded by Kristopher DeSoto, a former helicopter salesman, and is produced in collaboration with third generation tequila makers La Cofradía near the town of Tequila from blue agave…
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“Casa Mexico” has to be the laziest tequila branding on the planet, but let’s put that aside for the moment. Recently updated with new packaging, the company behind Casa Mexico — which boasts ownership that includes both Oscar De La Hoya and Mario Lopez — offers the traditional trio of tequila expressions, all 100% agave…
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