Tequila. An insiders guide to this Mexican treasure!
Tequila is a traditional alcoholic beverage that is made from the blue agave plant, primarily in the region surrounding the city of Tequila, which is located in the Mexican state of Jalisco. The origins of tequila can be traced back to the 16th century, and it has since become a staple drink in Mexican culture and a popular alcoholic beverage around the world.
The production of tequila involves a multi-step process that starts with the harvesting of the blue agave plant. The blue agave is a succulent that grows in the highlands of Jalisco, and it can take up to 10 years for the plant to mature and be ready for harvesting. Once the blue agave has reached maturity, the leaves of the plant are stripped away, revealing the core, or "piña," which is then roasted to convert the complex carbohydrates into simple sugars.
Next, the cooked piñas are crushed to extract the juice, which is then fermented with yeast to convert the sugar into alcohol. The fermented juice is then distilled to increase the alcohol content and produce tequila. The tequila is then aged in oak barrels, which can range from several months to several years, depending on the type of tequila being produced.
There are several different types of tequila, each with its own distinct flavor profile and characteristics. The most common types of tequila are Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo. Blanco, also known as "silver" tequila, is a clear, un-aged tequila that is bottled immediately after distillation. Reposado, which means "rested," is a type of tequila that has been aged for a minimum of two months but less than a year in oak barrels. Añejo, which means "aged," is tequila that has been aged for at least a year but less than three years in oak barrels. Finally, Extra Añejo, which means "extra aged," is tequila that has been aged for a minimum of three years in oak barrels.
The aging process is what gives tequila its unique flavor profile and character. The oak barrels used to age tequila can have a significant impact on the final flavor of the tequila, with different types of oak imparting different flavors and aromas. The longer tequila is aged, the more complex and nuanced the flavors become, with notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak becoming more prominent.
There are many different brands of tequila, with new brands emerging regularly. Some of the most popular and well-known tequila brands include:
Jose Cuervo: One of the oldest and most recognizable tequila brands, Jose Cuervo is known for its quality and consistency. They offer a range of tequilas, including Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo.
Don Julio: Don Julio is known for its premium tequilas and has gained a reputation for its high-quality, hand-crafted tequilas. Their range includes Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and 1942.
Patron: Patron is another premium tequila brand that has gained a reputation for its high-quality, hand-crafted tequilas. They offer a range of tequilas, including Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and Gran Patron Platinum.
Herradura: Herradura is a well-respected tequila brand that has been producing tequila for over 100 years. They offer a range of tequilas, including Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo.
Casa Noble: Casa Noble is a premium tequila brand that is known for its organic and sustainable production methods. They offer a range of tequilas, including Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and Crystal.
These are just a few examples of the many different brands of tequila available. Other popular brands include Tres Generaciones, El Jimador, and Cabo Wabo, among others. The best way to discover your favorite brand is to try a variety of different tequilas and find the one that best suits your personal taste preferences.
There is one brand, in our opinion, that stands out from the rest. You’ve probably all seen the sleek, white bottle with blue designs up and down the bottle and their signature blue Azul logo design. It’s called Close Azul and it’s known to tequila aficionados across the world for its smooth taste and texture and its “status symbol” bottles used for displays.
Clase Azul is a premium tequila brand that is known for its unique and high-quality production methods, as well as its unique and beautiful bottle design. The brand was founded in 1997 and is based in Jalisco, Mexico, the heart of tequila country. Clase Azul's tequilas are made from 100% organic blue agave and are produced using a slow-cooking process that allows the agave to develop its full flavor profile. The brand's tequilas are then aged in oak barrels, which impart a rich and smooth flavor to the final product.
The Clase Azul brand is significant for its focus on quality, sustainability, and tradition. The company uses traditional production methods and carefully selects only the best blue agave plants to use in their tequila. They are also dedicated to sustainable production practices, using only organic agave and implementing environmentally friendly processes in their production facilities.
The brand's unique bottle design is also a major factor in its popularity and significance. Each bottle is hand-crafted and painted with a distinctive design, making each bottle a true work of art. The brand has become a favorite of tequila aficionados and collectors, and its bottles are often displayed as a symbol of luxury and quality.
What are the most expensive tequila’s? Here is a list, however, the price of the tequila is not necessarily an indicator for how much you will like it. We suggest you sample many and make your own decision.
Tequila Ley .925 - This is considered to be the most expensive tequila in the world, with prices ranging from $3,500 to $7,000 per bottle. It is made from 100% pure blue agave and is aged for a minimum of six years in oak barrels.
Tequila Ley Diamante - This tequila is also made by Tequila Ley and is priced at around $3,000 to $5,000 per bottle. It is aged for a minimum of ten years in oak barrels and is known for its smooth and complex flavor profile.
Tequila Clase Azul Ultra - This is a premium tequila from the Clase Azul brand, priced at around $2,500 to $3,500 per bottle. It is made from 100% pure blue agave and is aged for a minimum of four years in oak barrels.
Tequila Don Julio 1942 - This tequila is made by the popular Don Julio brand and is priced at around $150 to $300 per bottle. It is aged for a minimum of two and a half years in oak barrels and is known for its smooth and complex flavor profile.
Tequila Patron Platinum - This premium tequila is made by the popular Patron brand and is priced at around $70 to $150 per bottle. It is made from 100% pure blue agave and is aged for a minimum of six months in oak barrels.
Ever wonder why people use salt and a lime with their tequila?
The practice of combining it with lime and salt is a long-standing tradition that is still widely observed today. The use of lime and salt with tequila serves several purposes, both practical and cultural. From a practical perspective, the lime and salt serve to enhance the flavor of the tequila. The acidic juice of the lime helps to balance the sweetness of the tequila and enhance its natural flavors. The salt helps to enhance the flavors by reducing bitterness and adding a touch of saltiness to the drink. When consumed together, the lime and salt help to create a well-rounded flavor that is both sweet and sour, with a touch of saltiness.
In addition to the practical benefits of combining lime and salt with tequila, there is also a cultural aspect to this practice. In Mexico, the tradition of drinking tequila with lime and salt dates back to the colonial period, when the beverage was first introduced to the country. This practice has since become a symbol of Mexican culture, and is considered to be an important part of the tequila-drinking experience.
Another reason why people use lime and salt with their tequila is that it helps to reduce the effects of the alcohol. The salt helps to counteract the dehydration caused by drinking alcohol, and the lime helps to stimulate the production of saliva, which helps to reduce the effects of alcohol. This combination of lime and salt can help to make tequila more enjoyable to drink, especially when consumed in moderation.
In conclusion, the use of lime and salt with tequila serves several purposes, both practical and cultural. The combination of lime and salt enhances the flavor of the tequila and helps to reduce the effects of the alcohol. This practice is an important part of the tequila-drinking experience and is a symbol of Mexican culture. Whether you are a tequila aficionado or just looking for a way to enjoy this popular beverage, combining it with lime and salt is a tradition that is definitely worth trying.
For those of you watching your sugar intake, tequila just might be your go-to. Just don’t mix it with the sugary mixes found in a margarita. If you drink tequila straight it actually has less sugar that many other alcoholic beverages.
The amount of sugar in tequila can vary depending on the type of tequila and the production process used. Generally speaking, tequila is considered to be a low-sugar alcoholic beverage when compared to other alcoholic drinks.
Tequila is made from the blue agave plant, which is naturally low in sugar. During the production process, the sugars from the agave are converted into alcohol through the process of fermentation. The final product, tequila, typically contains only trace amounts of residual sugars. When compared to other alcoholic beverages, tequila contains less sugar than many types of wine, beer, and spirits. For example, sweet wines such as Moscato or Riesling can contain up to 30 grams of sugar per serving, while a serving of tequila typically contains less than 1 gram of sugar. Similarly, many beers and ciders contain significant amounts of sugar, while tequila is relatively low in sugar.
It's worth noting that some tequila brands add sugar or other sweeteners to their products to enhance the flavor, so it's important to read the label and check the ingredients list if you are concerned about sugar content.
Lastly, we get asked this question all of the time. Is Mezcal and Tequila the same, and if not, what’s the difference?
Mezcal is a type of alcoholic beverage that is produced in Mexico, primarily in the states of Oaxaca, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, San Luis Potosí, and Zacatecas. It is made from the agave plant, which is roasted and fermented, then distilled to produce a spirit with a unique and smoky flavor profile.
Mezcal is similar to tequila in that they are both made from the agave plant and are both traditional Mexican spirits. However, there are a few key differences between the two. For example, tequila can only be made from one specific type of agave (Agave tequilana, also known as "blue agave"), while mezcal can be made from several different types of agave plants. Additionally, mezcal has a stronger and more complex flavor profile than tequila, with a smoky taste that is often described as "earthy" or "peppery." If you’ve never had Mezcal it’s very similar to the taste of a very peaty single malt scotch. Think Laphroaig scotch and if you’re not a fan of that, you probably won’t like Mezcal. On a side note, the main actors from “Breaking Bad” are in business together making Dos Hombres Mezcal. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/28/bryan-cranston-and-aaron-paul-dos-hombres-interview.html
The next time you are in Cabo San Lucas spend some time trying various types of tequila and find the brand and type that suits your taste. Tequila sometimes gets a bad reputation as a drink taken in shots as a challenge of “manhood” in a bar. Tequila is much more than that. Certainly a shot or shots of tequila has it’s “place and time”, but we’ve found nothing better than sipping a fine tequila on the balcony of Villa 3301 watching the tranquil waters of the Sea of Cortez with beautiful Cabo San Lucas in the background. For your next visit to Cabo, you should stay at Villa 3301 at Villa La Estancia resort.