Everything You Need To Know About Tequila Curados And Tequila Gold
Technically, a liquor only needs 51% blue agave to be legally classified as tequila. Thats why tequila Gold, Curados, and other mixtos can call themselves true tequilas even though they contain less than 100% blue agave distillate.
Gold and Curados tequilas should always be your last option when you have a choice. These products contain other types of distilled agave spirits, additives to give them their gold color, and extra sugar. Curados, specifically, include natural fruit flavorings and up to 75% alcohol from cane or corn sugars.
If youve ever experienced a severe hangover from tequila, odds are that you were drinking one of these mixtos. Blanco and aged tequilas might cost slightly more. But we promise that theyre completely worth it.
How To Choose The Best Sipping Tequila
Not sure which tequila you want for sipping? Think about the flavors youâre craving. A tequila blanco is a great choice for bright hints of citrus. On the other hand, an añejo offers a blend of sweet and spicy.
Once youâve made your choice, make sure to sip your tequila correctly. If youâre an expert at smelling wine, try doing the same with your tequila. With a few swirls, sniffs, and delicious sips, you may never go back to mixing. However, if you prefer a mixed tequila drink, this complete guide to tequila lists the best tequilas for margaritas and tequila sunrises.
Everything You Need To Know About Tequila Blanco
Tequila Blanco is the least aged tequila you can buy. Most manufacturers bottle it immediately after distillation.
Since the aging process produces new and unique flavors, silver is the youngest type of tequila. Many people also consider it the best type of tequila because it retains the authentic agave flavor.
Some tequila makers age their Blancos for 3060 days. This quick aging process allows the flavors to meld and smooth out, making for a slightly higher-quality product.
Another thing to note is that Blancos are never aged in wooden barrels. High-end Blancos may be aged briefly in stainless steel, which doesnt impart any additional flavors on the end product.
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The Big Tequila Problem
Sipping on your reposado in an upmarket bar, or shotting back a pricey blanco as you hit the club its payday and youre making it rain top-shelf tequila. Dressed to the nines, youre ready to sample the finer things in life, youve a mischievous anticipation of friends making fools of themselves later, and not an inkling that the fool might actually be you.
Because tequila has a problem. Actually, it has a few. And the result is that many of us dont know what were drinking.
The image that we have of artisanal tequila-making is romantic. Sure, theres the red hat variety, the production for which we dont really linger on because its cheap and usually has the intended effect of getting people very drunk, very quickly. But for the sort of tequila that you sip with intention, take as a dinner party offering, or treat your friends to, most of us have a specific vision of its birth: Deep in the hills of Jalisco, fields of blue Weber agave plants reach maturity. Closely guarded family recipes are consulted, piñas are pressed by tahona, brick ovens caramelise the sugars, all of it painstakingly presided over by a seasoned maestro. Youre imagining that the liquid in your glass has been lovingly curated, hand-reared and fattened like a Wagyu calf, attended to as it ages, like a riddler daily turns each champagne bottle. And youd be right. There are plenty of tequilas still made in this way, or in some variation on this general theme. But many, many are not.
Cdigo 1530 Rosa Tequila
Drizly
Smooth and delicate, Código 1530s Rosa Tequila makes for perfect after-work sipping, or used in a hand-crafted cocktail. Produced using the tequila-making traditions of the Los Bajos region and its tequilieras, the tequila is meticulously aged inFrench White Oakred wine barrels from Napa Valley. That gives the Rosa a subtle pink hue, and a sweet yet dry finish.
Country singer George Strait is an investor in the brand, and even wrote a song inspired by the tequila off his 2019 album, Honkey Tonk Time Machine.
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Is Number Juan Tequila Made In Mexico
It turns out that worms have absolutely nothing to do with tequila.
Everything You Need To Know About Tequila Anejo
Tequila Anejo is the oldest, longest-aged type of agave-based spirit you can get. Anejos must age for at least one year. But some high-end Anejo tequilas age for up to three years Extra Anejo products age for even longer.
Distillers age Anejos and Extra Anejos in oak barrels with a similar method used to make Reposados. The longer aging process makes for a darker-colored and smoother flavored end product.
Though Anejo tequilas are smooth, theyre also packed with flavor. Bourbon drinkers will appreciate the complex vanilla, caramel, and brown sugar notes.
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The 30 Best Tequilas For 2022
Tequila hasnt yet claimed the crown of best-selling spirit in America both bourbon and vodka still stand in its way on that front but Mexicos famous agave distillate has firmly established itself as a staple of stateside drinking culture.
The category benefits from arriving in a range of styles, from earthy and spiced blancos to subtly aged reposados, and luxurious añejos. Those different guises provide versatility: Tequila stars in a variety of cocktails, most notably the , and proves just as adept for sipping occasions.
As interest in tequila spikes, conversations surrounding production techniques and ingredients are also gaining importance. Bottles made with additives and/or using corner-cutting equipment simply dont cut it among modern day bartenders and agave aficionados.
In this ranking of the best of the best in the category, you wont encounter blancos that taste like birthday cake or expressions stripped of all agave character because of diffusers. Instead, youll find bottles for every budget that highlight the impressive depth of styles and technique the category has to offer.
Here are the 30 best tequilas to drink in 2022.
Consistent Best Tequila Winners Blanco
I tend to mostly drink blanco/silver tequila in cocktails, but some prefer it over the aged ones even to drink neat because you get the true agave flavor with no oak in the mix. You could say its the purest form and the one where theres no way to cover up imperfections. These are the blanco tequilas that consistently have come out on top the past few years in the World Spirits Competition:
Los Arango from Guanajuato, Excelia sold in France, and Rey Supremo sold in Canada got a double gold this year. Antaño from Jalisco and Rooster Rojo sold in Latvia scored a gold.
Last year, some very reasonably priced, easy-to-find brands scored including Partida Blanco with a double gold. That ones easy to find in duty-free stores at airports.
Familia Camarena and two Jose Cuervo brandsGran Centenario and Cuervo Tradicionalgot gold medals.
The year before, Cazcanes Blanco scored a double gold.
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Teremana Small Batch Tequila
Drizly
The Rocks premium tequila brand has been flying off store shelves ever since its launch in 2020. Now, fans of Dwayne Johnson and tequila alike can purchase Teremana online and get it delivered to their door.
The ultra-premium highlands tequila uses all the beverage buzz words, like small batch production, and distilled in handmade copper pot stills. But beyond the hype, its a smooth, easy to drink option naturally sweetened with the rich aroma of mature agave plants, with a clean finish.
The name, Johnson explains, was inspired by his Polynesian background. TERA means of the Earth and MANA is our powerful Polynesian spirit that guides us. Spirit of the Earth, he says.
El Bandido Yankee Tequila
El Bandido Yankee
A new entry into the tequila market, El Bandido Yankee launched in 2021 by former NFL player Jim Bob Morris and restaurateur and NHL Hall of Fame Hockey Player Chris Chelios. The idea: to create an ultra premium, ultra-smooth tequila at an accessible price point. This is an all-around crowd-pleasing tequila, too, with a wonderfully distinct flavor profile thats at once rich and complex. Notes of pepper and vanilla balance the buttery profile along with hints of citrus. The Reposado expression is also aged in stripped and recharred American Oak bourbon barrels, which gives it a deliciously herbaceous toasted flavor.
Though we prefer El Bandido Yankee as a sipping tequila , the flavor has enough bite to make for some beautiful cocktails, too. Everything is made in with 100% blue weber agave and is confirmed all-natural and additive-free for a tequila that goes down smooth and silky. We like what the brand is doing with the no-for-profit S.A.C.R.E.D too, which re-invests 100% of proceeds from merchandise and a portion of tequila sales back into the local Mexican communities where agave spirits are made to identify and support vital needs.
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What Is The Technical Definition Of Tequila
Some Mexican-owned brands were not included on this list because they dont technically meet the definition of tequila, as set forth by the government of Mexico. To be an authentic tequila, the spirit must be more than 51% blue agave plant and can only be distilled in Jalisco or a few designated municipalities.
Percent Blue Weber Agave
When shopping for tequila, look for these words on the bottle. It is easier than ever to find them because almost every tequila brand has realized that this is what drinkers really want.
Blue Weber is known as the most elegant expression of tequila. While tequila falls under the mezcal category, several distillers around the town of Tequila began distilling a superior form of mezcal. They used the whole heart of blue agave, which is indigenous to the region, describes Brian Olson, the founder and owner of Café Intermezzo.
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How Much Tequila Do You Put In A Margarita
For a single margarita, a 1.5-ounce shot of tequila is standard. It is typically equal to the total volume of the other two ingredients . For instance, the classic margarita formula is three parts tequila, two parts triple sec, and one part lime juice. This is adjusted to taste, pouring more triple sec for a sweeter margarita or extra lime to increase the tartness.
When sizing the margarita up to a pitcher, simply increase the ingredients and keep them in proportion. For example, in the typical half-gallon pitcher, you would combine 3.75 cups tequila, 2.5 cups orange liqueur, and 1.25 cup lime juice. This makes 7.5 cups, leaving room in the pitcher for you to adjust the three ingredients to taste, add a sweetener without increasing the alcohol, or chill it with ice. The margarita is a strong drink, so dilution and small servings are important.
What Is The Most Popular Tequila In The United States
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Playa Real Pineapple Infused Tequila
This Austin, Texas, based tequila company is the passion project of Matt Davisbetter known as the hubby of high end jewelry designer Kendra Scott. Inspired by Davis surfing trips in Mexico, his tequila companys portfolio includes this bottling, a mandarin orange flavored blanco tequila, and an unflavored silver tequila. Out of everything, this bottling was the standout. With bursts of pineapple acidity, a light florality and big juicy tropical fruit flavors, this was one of the most unique flavored tequilas that we tried. What is most interesting about Playa Reals pineapple is that the vegetal and peppery characteristics from the agave were not overshadowed by the fruit. They play in harmony with the pineapple rather than hiding behind it. This summer, Playa Real Pineapple will become our go-to rum substitute for a Daiquiri.
The Problem Of The Nom
For those beginning to get wise to these sorts of activities, there used to be a good first line of defence. On the back of every bottle of tequila there is a number, called the NOM, which helps to identify where it came from.
If I spot a new tequila I’ve never seen before, says Brandon, I’ll Google the NOM and itll show me every other brand that’s made at that specific NOM. So I can make sure it’s not mass produced. As weve delved into, not every instance of mass production leads to reductions in quality, age or refinement, but often it is an indicator of a tequila that was produced without the artisanal care and process that you might find at a single-brand, smaller distillery.
A quick look at one particular NOM, reveals that 18 brands are currently in production there, including three globally-recognised labels. Reviewing this NOMs history shows that another particularly famous tequila brand – one often marketed using the terms artisanal and family – was also formerly manufactured there.
Unfortunately though – knowing that artisanal versions, made on a farm by hand, are looked upon so favourably – tequila companies are learning how to better make it look like this is whats going on. Speaking to Grover Sanschagrin – co-founder of Tequila Matchmaker, a database which categorises and ranks tequilas based on reviews of distilleries and production practises he says were beginning to see more NOM-based trickery.
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Significance Of The Worm & Why Its Used
Contrary to popular belief, seeking out brands of tequila with a worm in the bottle isnt going to help you find a more flavorful drink. The worm doesnt add anything to the alcohol.
Answers as to why the worm is in the bottle in the first place is actually unknown, but there are stories. Some will say that the worm in the mezcal bottle is a marketing ploy. After all, think of all those myths we just had to bust to get to this point. Hallucinogen, flavor enhancer, boozy additionthe worm is none of that. But when the worm is in the bottle on a shelf, it somehow convinces people to buy that brand.
The other story states that brewers used to add worms to help tell bottles apart. Back in the day, the peopleJimadorswho harvested the agave on the plantation would often end up with bottles that contained similarly colored liquids. Tequila and mezcal are difficult to tell apart unless you sample it, so it made sense to stick a dead worm from the agave plant in the mezcal bottle.
But since mezcal worms have only appeared in commercially sold bottles since the 1940s and 50s, as mentioned earlier, the second argument isnt entirely convincing.
Which one is more true? Who knows. The worm could be an absolute gimmick or a strange name tag. Either way, there are a few things we know are true: the ABV isnt high enough to pickle the poor creature, and it wont make you see into the dimension if you eat it.
Mijenta Aejo Gran Reserva
Liquor.com / Laura Sant
Joining Mijentas blanco and reposado tequilas, which debuted in the fall of 2020, this añejo spends 18 months maturing in four different cask types in succession: first American oak, then French oak, followed by acacia and finally cherry wood. Like Inspiro, it was developed by maestra tequilera Ana Maria Romero Mena, one of the industrys leading blenders. Mijenta has committed to sustainability through a number of initiatives, and reinvests part of its profits through a foundation to support the local community.
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Comparing Brands And Their Pricing
So why is a Patron considered a Premium tequila by our standards, while a popular brand like 1800 comes out as a Standard offering? Lets compare some of the brands on our list and look at what might make one more expensive than another.
Patron tequila is often seen in night clubs and is considered an ultra premium brand in the marketplace. Easily identified by its uniquely designed bottle, Patron is one of the higher priced tequilas available on the shelf.
One major reason Patron is seen as a premium brand, and is more expensive, is because of their unique agave handling process. Rather than simply using agave grown on their property, Patron selects from an array of blue agave producers around the region. This ensures that only the perfect blue agave make it into their tequila.
Most would argue that Patron is worth the price as this is one of those tequilas that can be enjoyed sans salt and lime wedge.
On another note, Patron is incredibly environmentally conscious for a major tequila producer. They compost all the agave hearts after use and utilize natural gas to reduce carbon emissions.
Where Do We Go From Here
So, with news of all this shadiness and artifice, you might be feeling a bit disheartened. A once guilt-free pleasure suddenly tugging on your conscience. The answer is not, of course, to stop enjoying tequila. Heaven forbid. But just to be maybe more mindful about what youre tossing down your gullet.
Of the 1,500 tequila brands in production, it would be impossible to say for sure how most of these are distilled, or whether they use anything synthetic, because there is no legal requirement for these companies to make this known.
In fact, you might not even consider additives to be a huge deal. If youre the type of person to chase shots with a Red Bull, aiming to chow down on a Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese at the end of the night, then whats a bit more sucralose and some E105a? Live your best life.
But if youre prone to paying top dollar for a drink of quality and maddened to think you could be sipping on the same nauseating firewater as your Maccy D loving friends, damaging the planet in the process, there are ways to look into what youre paying for.
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