Are All Tequilas Made Of 100 Percent Blue Weber Agave
Nearly all premium tequilas are made entirely from blue Weber agave , but there’s another category of tequila called “mixto” in which blue Weber agave need only compose 51 percent of the spirit. Producers utilize various types of sugar to make up the remaining percentage, including high fructose corn syrup and molassesalthough sometimes a lightly processed Mexican cane sugar known as piloncillo is what’s used. If your bottle doesn’t indicate on the label that it’s made from 100 percent agaveand if the price is on the lower end of the spectrumthere’s a good chance that you’re dealing with a mixto. While less expensive, these tequilas don’t reflect a historically anthentic approach to the composition of the spirit.
Don Julio 1942 Tequila Total Wine & More
- https://www.totalwine.com/spirits/tequila/anejo/don-julio-1942-tequila/p/38388750
- 1 oz. citron vodka. 1 oz. silver tequila. 3 oz. lime juice. 3 oz. club soda. Lime peel to garnish. Pour citron vodka, silver tequila and lime juice into cocktail shaker with ice.Shake well. Pour into martini glass. Add club soda and stir. Garnish with lime peel.Brand: Don Julio
Don Julio Primavera Reposado Tequila
3 oz.
Lime peel to garnish
Pour citron vodka, silver tequila and lime juice into cocktail shaker with ice.Shake well. Pour into martini glass. Add club soda and stir. Garnish with lime peel.
Tequila may have a wild and crazy reputation, but this unique spirit is created according to strict guidelines, guaranteeing authenticity and consistency. Its distilled from the fermented juice of the Weber blue agave plant, and comes only from a specified region of Mexico, centered around the western state of Jalisco.
Tequila production begins with the agave plant, cultivated in Mexicos desert regions. Early civilizations believed agave was a gift from the gods, which they used as a source for food, fibers and building materials. They would cut off the top of the plant, and the remaining stump filled with a liquid called aguamiel that would ferment into a cloudy, low-alcohol drink.
The Spanish introduced distillation to Mexico in the 1500s. The technique, used on aquamiel, produced the spirit they dubbed vino mezcal de Tequila. Mezcal was soon being made across Mexico, though the colonys rulers in Spain intermittently banned production of the spirit when they wanted to encourage imports from Spain and hiked taxes on it when money was needed for public projects.
Spain lifted the ban for good in 1792, and in 1795 gave a license for the production of tequila to Jose María Guadalupe de Cuervo, maker of what is now the worlds best-selling tequila, Jose Cuervo.
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Best Valley: Fortaleza Blanco Tequila
Courtesy of ReserveBar
Region: Jalisco | ABV: 46% | Tasting Notes: Olives, Earth, Orange
If you want to know what tequila tasted like 100 years ago, Fortaleza is your go-to, says Hurley. At his estate in the town of Tequila, master distiller Guillermo Sauza makes the spirit the way his great-great-grandfather made it, using an old stone tahona and brick ovens. Bottled straight from the copper pot still without dilution, this blanco has an alluring earthy, olivey quality, says Chasse, with plenty of bright citrus, too.
Its flavors and a super-long finish make it fascinating to drink, but it goes down surprisingly easy for such a powerful spirit. I would try a little on its own, breathing in and letting it open up in your mouth to get all those flavors, advises Chasse. But, she says, “eventually I would add a bit of water to open it up, so you can see how tequila evolves at different levels of alcohol.
Best Blanco: Don Fulano Blanco
Courtesy of Don Fulano
Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Lemon peel, Lemongrass, Cooked agave
Theres a saying: Whiskey is aged in wood, and tequila is aged in the ground,’ says Hurley. Thats so true because agave takes six to eight years to mature, so you can detect the influence of the terroirthe soil, sun and shade of mountainsespecially in a blanco. He calls this one from the Altos region phenomenal.
Produced by Jaliscos famed Fonseca family using deep well water, Don Fulano Blanco offers green cooked agave notes, a little bit of pepper and minerality, and hints of lemon peel and lemongrass, Hurley says. Along with those complex layers of flavor, Hurley likes its mouthfeel. It has a nice body all the way through, so its one of the easiest drinking tequilas out there, he adds.
Blancos showcase the terroir and the agave, but they also show any imperfections. Look for spirits with a medium to full body, a bit of attitude, minerality and brightnessand not much ethanol burn. You can tell an impure spirit if you get that. Morgan Hurley, Marketing and Beverage Director, Mex 1 Coastal Cantina
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Best For Sipping: El Tesoro Aejo
Courtesy of leesliquorlv.com
Region: Jalisco, Mexico | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Citrus, Spice, Brown butter
Like any fine spirit served neat, a good sipping tequila should be smooth, velvety, and nonabrasivebut, simultaneously, should still taste like tequila, rather than trying to mimic the characteristics of whiskey, or vodka, or anything else.
The añejo from El Tesoro is a classically-styled tequila that checks all those boxes: it’s soft and silky, a result of two to three years of aging in American oak ex-bourbon barrels, but it’s not as flush with caramel or vanilla as certain añejos that receive a more heavy-handed aging treatment. Consequently, the flavor of the agave really comes throughno surprise for a brand that prides itself on traditional production methods, from crushing the agave with a volcanic stone tahona to fermenting in open wooden vats with ambient yeasts. The El Tesoro añejo is an ideal choice the next time you’re craving the vibrancy of raw agave character without wanting to bother with ice or with lime.
Region: Jalisco, Mexico | ABV: 46% | Tasting Notes: Cinnamon, Olives, Grapefruit peel
Best Under $: Teremana Blanco
Courtesy of Total Wine
Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Pepper, Citrus, Earth
Leave it to The Rock to have his name behind a classy blanco, which is produced using high-mountain agave roasted in brick ovens and distilled in copper pot stills. Lynette Marrero, bar director at New Yorks Llama Inn, is a fan. Its made in the most authentic way and without any additives, she says, so its great for connoisseurs looking to sip on a serious tequila. But, she also serves it to people wanting to learn more about the category.
She likes its clean character and wonderful flavor: The agave shines through, complemented by fragrant citrusy and earthy notes, vanilla and a hint of aromatic peppery spice.
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San Matias Gran Reserva Tequila
We are always waiting for that special moment, a culmination of our efforts and dedication And when that moment finally comes, we would like to stop and stay there.For each person his or her special moment is different.
In 1993 Casa San Matias introduced the first Tequila Extra Añejo to the world. San Matías Gran Reserva is one of a kind, a drink with noble character and product that reflects the precision that has identified us for more than 130 years.
TEQUILA SAN MATIAS GRAN RESERVA
The Best Blanco Reposado And Aejo Tequilas To Be Savored On Their Own
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LIQUOR / Chloe Jeong
Best Highlands:Tequila Chamucos Reposado at Drizly
Floral on the nose, it has the bittersweet fruitiness and briny undertones to keep you coming back for more.
A is fantastic, but its not the only way to drink tequila. In fact, if you take a deeper dive, youll discover tequilas you can enjoy on their own, says Crystal Chasse, beverage director of Talk Story Rooftop in Brooklyn, New York. What shes describing is whats called a sipping tequila.
distinctive nuances that take you on a journey from the front to the back palate, with a finish that makes you come back for another sip, she explains.
According to Morgan Hurley, marketing and beverage director of Mex 1 Coastal Cantina in Charleston, South Carolina, a sipping tequila should be 100% agave and very well-crafted, particularly if its unaged.
Reposados, on the other hand, are barrel-aged for two months to a year, and they should be mellow, he says. But still have that cooked agave flavor mingling with the honey, toasted oak and vanilla.
Here, the best sipping tequilas our experts recommend to drink right now.
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What Are The 3 Types Of Tequila
The three main categories are Blanco, also often called Crystal, which are unaged tequilas that are clear in appearance. Reposado tequila is tequila that has been aged in a wood barrel for less than a year. The word means rested, and it refers to the resting that it does in the wood. They are often pale brown or tannish and golden in color. Añejo is tequila that has been aged for more than one year in a wood barrel. These tend to look more like whiskey in color, though some añejo tequila has been put through a process that renders it clear again. These arent terribly common, however.
Top 5 Tequilas By Bloody Gerry
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What’s The Difference Between Tequila And Mezcal
You may have heard the rumor that the spirit known as mezcal is simply a smoky version of tequila. In fact, the truth is closer to the reverse of that: the term “mezcal” refers broadly to any distillate of the agave plant produced in Mexico, so the spirit called tequila is simply one specific type of mezcal. While government regulations allow for the production of mezcal in nine different Mexican states, tequila may only be produced in five states: Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit, Guanajuato, and certain parts of Tamaulipas. Addionally, while mezcal may be produced from dozens of different agave varietiesresulting in numerous distinct styles and flavor profilestequila may only be produced from the blue Weber agave.
What Is The Smoothest Tequila
What is the smoothest tequila? The smoothest tequila is often regarded to be Ocho Añejo, an estate-grown spirit brand that also bears the title of the first ever Tequila vintage. The Añejo is rich and vegetal with notes of vanilla and caramel and is aged in ex-American whiskey barrels for one year.
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Don Julio Real Review
Founded in 1947 by Don Julio Gonzalez, the Real uses seven to ten year hand picked blue agave from the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico.
Enter the Real the top tequila made by the company. Aged three to five years in American White Oak barrels, this is the pinnacle of the brands six tequilas, and the one that I enjoy most.
This is just about as smooth of a tequila that money can buy. It comes in at a price tag north of $300, and often approaches $400 depending on availability. Ive seen it around town at all sorts of price points, but $379 or so is usually where I find it priced. The downside is its a small bottle, only 375 ML, but dont let that bother you every sip of this is pure delight. If ive ever seen a true commodity in buying tequila in South Florida, the Real is truly a commodity. Ive seen a price variance of $350 $479. Even the large, well-stocked Total Wine rarely has more than two bottles in their locked display.
Technically, this is an extra anejo, and anyone who follows tequila knows there arent many of these available. Cava de Oro is one I reviewed earlier.
I first rewarded myself with this expensive tequila when I sold a property. I enjoyed the Real so much that I bought a second bottle within days of purchasing the first.
The color of this is very golden and pleasant. It reminds me of a perfectly crafted microbrew.
The website profile continues to talk about the taste :
Now, to the presentation:
Don Julio 1942 Tequila Don Julio Tequila
- https://www.donjulio.com/en-us/our-tequilas/don-julio-1942-tequila
- don julio 1942 ® tequila Celebrated in exclusive cocktail bars, restaurants and nightclubs, the iconic Don Julio 1942® Tequila is the choice of connoisseurs around the globe. Produced in small batches and aged for a minimum of two and a half years, Don Julio 1942® Tequila is handcrafted in tribute to the year that Don Julio González began …
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Best Light Margarita Mix: Jose Cuervo Light
Another must-have for fans of organic cocktails is this organic margarita mix from Tres Agaves. Its organic, gluten free, and only sweetened with natural agave no high fructose corn syrup which probably makes for a less aggressive hangover the next day, too! Also, organic doesnt have to mean plain or boring check out the Tres Agaves flavored margarita mix collection and stock up on a few varieties. These come alcohol-free, which is also nice for virgin margaritas for kids or anyone hoping to wake up without a headache the next day.
Best Under $: Curamia Blanco
Drizly
Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Citrus, wild flowers, spice
A brand-new blanco from Mexican chef Dafna Mizrahi and a team of women makers, this tequila is produced at Destileria Leyros in the Valley of Jalisco. Its made using newfangled methodsacid-thermal hydrolysis, diffuser crushing, a column stillbut the results add up to a silky, easy sip. It has a flowery, slightly citrusy character with a spicy finish that keeps you coming back for another taste. Its a lovely bottle to enjoy neat for reasonable price.
Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Agave, earth, sweetness
Dennis Scheafer, head bartender at New Yorks Painted Lady Saloon, appreciates this organic tequila for its single-source agavesomething thats pretty rare with major tequila brands, he says. The quality of the base ingredient results in a very smooth and clean taste that puts the agave flavor at the forefront. A balanced bottle, it offers sweetness upfront, but its earthy backbone makes it so different from all the vanilla bomb tequilas on the market now. Ill be honest, says Scheafer. For sipping, I usually go with a reposado or anejo, but theres just something about this blanco.
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Best Citrus Tequila: Dulce Vida Grapefruit Tequila
If youre looking for a tequila that brings the heat this is Texas, after all then this Tanteo Jalapeño Tequila may be the bottle for you. Its perfect for adding a kick to your margaritas, and one spicy tequila enthusiast shares in his Total Wine review that this is the best of the many brands hes tried. If theres any left after the night is over, this is also the perfect tequila for mixing up some morning Bloody Marias while you piece together your noche loca!
For the bold tequila drinker looking for ultimate spice, check out Habanero tequilas, and for those who want to ease their way into the spicy margarita scene, cucumber jalapeño may be more your speed.
What Makes For A Good Sipping Tequila
That depends on what style of tequila you like. If youre looking for something that shows sweetness and minerality, go for a blanco. For some honey and toasted notes, try a reposado. And for brandy-like richness and smoothness, añejo is your drink. But no matter the style, you want a tequila thats made with integrity and intention, from 100% agave and no additives. Purists love brick oven-roasted, copper potdistilled tequilas, but the big test is that agave flavor. If it tastes more like ethanol, or if it burns too much going down, skip it and sip something else.
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Best Extra Aejo: Gran Patrn Burdeos
Courtesy of Reserve Bar
Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Cocoa powder, Dates, Caramel
Añejos and extra añejos should embody the flavor of the wood with the soul of the original spirit, says Hurley, so that the cooked agave flavor shines, complemented by notes of toasted oak, caramel, vanilla and cocoa powder.
This bottle from Patrón exemplifies the style. It is far too tasty, says Chasse. In part, thats due to the barrel program. A combination of used American and new French oak casks gives it a deep amber color that looks great in a snifter. Plus, a velvety mouthfeel and a drying and nearly tannic finale compels you to take another sip. But the pièce de résistance is the old Bordeaux barrels the spirit is finished in they lend a touch of the raisinated flavor youd expect from a wine.
It also does pair nicely with food, says Chasse, and if youre having a fancy day, with a fine cigar.
Region: Jalisco | ABV: 46% | Tasting Notes: Olives, Earth, Orange
If you want to know what tequila tasted like 100 years ago, Fortaleza is your go-to, says Hurley. At his estate in the town of Tequila, master distiller Guillermo Sauza makes the spirit the way his great-great-grandfather made it, using an old stone tahona and brick ovens. Bottled straight from the copper pot still without dilution, this blanco has an alluring earthy, olivey quality, says Chasse, with plenty of bright citrus, too.