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
We’ve been big fans of Mijenta Tequila since its 2021 launch, and now we’re excited to see the brand move into its first limited edition offering, part of a new series called the Maestra Selection. Per the company, “The concept behind the series is to give Maestra Tequilera Ana Maria Romero a platform to explore…
Surely you saw this one coming: A cristalino version of Patron Anejo, a traditionally produced tequila aged for 12 to 15 months in four different types of casks, then filtered through wood charcoal back to transparent. Fans of Patron will find no faults here: This tequila has a mild, gentle nose — lightly lemony, showcasing…
Quintaliza makes one style of tequila and one only: a reposado which is coffee-aged. What the heck is “coffee-aged?” It’s finished in oak barrels that previously held brewed organic coffee, “made from sustainably sourced beans harvested in Chiapas, Mexico.” The aging process is actually patented, allowing “Quintaliza to achieve its distinctive bold taste and aroma…
High-proof tequila is becoming more commonplace these days, with El Tequileno the latest to drop a high-test blanco. El Tequileno Still Strength Review The 20% extra abv is immediately evident, powering up the nose with a burst of lemon pepper and intense agave greenery. It’s a powerhouse that quickly dominates anything else you might be…
Manojo Mezcal is a 100% espadin mezcal founded by celebrated Mexican chef Enrique Olvera. The name Manojo is a play on words combining the Spanish words “mano,” meaning hand, and “ojo,” meaning eye, as portrayed within the brand identity. The name directly translates in English to “a bunch,” which the team interprets to mean abundance,…
The story of The Lost Explorer begins with the cultivation of agave in the lowlands of Jalisco, working with celebrated Tequilero Maestro Enrique de Colsa. The Lost Explorer Tequila grows their agaves for 6 to 7 years before distilling them in a dedicated facility in small batches, launching their first batch in April 2024. The…
Don Fulano is a new tequila brand from E. & J. Gallo’s spirits division. Well — new to us, the brand actually dates back to 2002, and the founders of the brand boast tequila distillation in their lineage, dating back over 140 years. Per Gallo: Don Fulano is of the last family-owned tequilas that is…
After years of cranking out extra anejo special editions, for 2024, El Mayor has turned its attention elsewhere: to the humble reposado, in the form of this “Rosado” tequila, which presents itself in a vibrant shade of pinkish orange. The color comes from finishing in cabernet sauvignon casks for nine months — which means it…
I’m the first to agree that a name like “Loco Tequila” does not exactly connote a handcrafted, luxury, sipping experience. But in a Zoom with the brand’s creador Beto Navarro, he explains that “Loco” was intended to refer to the mad geniuses of the world and not wild days taking shots with salt and lime.…
Ho ho ho! Forget milk and cookies, what Santa needs this year is a shot of good, hard alcohol to help get him through whatever 2025 has in store for us. Shopping is tough, so if you’re considering a special bottle for a special someone in your life, look no further. We have you covered…