Whats The Difference Between Gold And Silver Tequila
When it comes to tequila, you probably have a basic understanding of the popular spirit and know that there are two different kinds: gold and silver. What you might not realize is that there are actually several different tequila sub categories within gold and silver tequila. At Chulas Restaurant and Cantina, we use tequila in a lot of our signature cocktails. We would like to enlighten you on the difference between gold and silver tequila, and on the other sub categories of tequila. That way, youll have some fun tidbits to share at your next happy hour.
Proudly Made In Mexico
Patron is known for making high-quality and smooth tequila fermented , a fruit commonly found in hot and arid regions of Mexico. Patron tequila was originally produced by Casa 7 Leguas, one of Mexicos oldest distilleries.
Since being introduced to the world in 1989, Patron has become well-known in popular culture circles, often referenced in movies, television, and the music industry. In January of 2018, Patron was actually bought by Bacardi, the worlds largest private spirits company for approximately $5.1 million.
Theres A Patrn Tequila For Everyone On Your List
This article is part of a series, highlighting the importance of additive-free and authentic tequila, partnered by PATRÓN. Discover more at The World of PATRÓN.
With the holidays fast approaching, you may be scrambling to find the right gift for every person on your list. Sure, gift giving can be hard, but it doesnt have to be as long as your giftee has an appreciation for spirits or cocktails. This season theres a PATRÓN tequila ideal for perfecting the gift experiences for the familia in your life.
PATRÓN tequila is passionately handcrafted by the team of 2,000 people at Hacienda PATRÓN, all of whom maintain a tireless dedication to achieve perfection in every drop. As tequila is the No. 2 spirit in the world, its more likely than ever that a gift-deserving person in your orbit would appreciate receiving a fine tequila. And PATRÓN is just that: an ultra premium tequila thats made the time-honored way in small batches from 100 percent Weber Blue agave and slow-roasted for a full 72 hours before being distilled. And while its the liquid inside that truly counts PATRÓN is one of the only tequila brands that has remained dedicated to a traditional, handcrafted process since the brands inception wed be remiss not to mention its beautiful bottle, which makes a fine addition to any home bar setup or desk.
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Tequila Vs Mezcal Whats The Difference
All tequilas are mezcals, but not all mezcals are tequilas.
While mezcals can be from any type of agave , tequila can come only from agave Tequilana or blue agave.
Theres also a geographical overlap between tequilas and mezcals. Both primarily come from Mexico but are produced in different regions. Mezcal is made from nine places: San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas, Puebla, Durango, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Guanajuato, Tamaulipas, and Michoacan.
Meanwhile, tequila can only be produced in Jalisco . Although some from limited municipalities in Nayarit, Michoacan, Tamaulipas, and Guanajuato are acceptable.
Patron En Lalique Serie 2
- Price per bottle: $7,500
- Type of Tequila: Extra-Añejo
Patrons signature squat glass bottle has been an iconic symbol for the amazing tequila for a while, but the En Lalique comes with a lot more, including the price.
Made from 100% Weber blue agave plants, the Serie 2 tequila is the second coming from the mastery collaboration between the premier house of fine tequilas and the masters of French crystal.
The expensive tequila itself is different from other Patron tequilas. It rested in American and French oak barrels for seven years, then inside seasoned sherry barrels another year. Hence, its signature fruity tequila flavors with noticeable characters of sherry.
But if all that doesnt make the $7,500 price tag worth it, dont forget that there are only 299 hand-numbered Serie 2 bottles handcrafted in Alsace, France.
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Teremana Small Batch Tequila
Drizly
The Rocks premium tequila brand has been flying off store shelves ever since its launch last March. 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.
Casa Noble Anejo Tequila
Casa Noble
When anejo tequila is done right, its at once rich and flavorful, smooth yet complex. Thats what you get from Casa Nobles anejo blend, aged in new French oak for two full years with notes of dried fruit, toasted oak, creamy butterscotch, chocolate and spice. An undertone of sweet cooked agave recalls this tequilas fresh Blanco roots.
Like all of Casa Nobles offerings, this one is certified organic, and took home the Best Añejo Tequila prize at the 2017 World Tequila Awards. Best sipped slow for a warm, inviting mouthfeel.
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Whats The Best Way To Drink The Most Expensive Tequila
No one wants to tell people how to drink their spirit. But for a bottle that you bought for over $1000, or remarkably more, you want to take the tequila seriously! There are a few things you should never do with ultra-premium, expensive tequila bottles you dropped a pretty penny on. Dont chill it or drown it in ice, dont shoot it, mix it, or trap it in a tiny glass.
Expensive tequilas, mostly Extra-Añejos, are sipping tequila something to drink straight up and something to savor. Drink it neat, at room temperature, to savor its years of aging, both the aroma and taste.
Aejo Tequilas You Should Try
The following is a list of excellent añejo tequilas to add to your wish list:
- Dos Artes Reserva Especial Añejo
- Tres Comas Añejo
- Dulce Amargura Extra Añejo
- Corazon Añejo aged in George T. Stagg Barrels
There are many more, but this a great start, with variations in prices. Collect añejo for yourself or enjoy with friends who share your passion for finer spirits. A bonus of any tequila is the beauty of the bottlesyoull want to keep them on display.
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El Tesoro Aejo Tequila
Reserve Bar
If you want to discover an authentic Mexican tequila with a bold yet traditional flavor, then order a bottle of El Tesoro. El Tesoro may be owned by Beam Suntory, the Japanese company responsible for Suntory Whisky, but this tequila is still made from traditional methods and local agave. In fact, the grandson of founder Don Felipe Camarena oversees production today. The Añejo variety is aged in American oak bourbon barrels for up to three years, which results in a nice blend of warm agave and oak flavors. If you try this tequila neat, youll notice notes of maple, vanilla and caramel, balanced with pepper and floral tones.
Ready To Become A Tequila Expert
This tequila guide will cover what makes a tequila a tequila and go over some basic definitions so you can dazzle yourself and others with tequila knowledge. Ill provide some recommendations for tequilas that are widely available so you can begin to stock your home bar and ensure the best tequila experience for your next party or quiet night at home.
Leela Cyd Ross
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What Makes Them The Most Expensive Tequilas
You can purchase tequilas like the Don Julio Real Tequila for around $400 or a bottle of Rey Sol Anejo Tequila for a hundred bucks or less. But then there are truly premium, highly expensive tequila bottles that will cost you thousands and even millions!
A bottle of tequila can cost a certain amount for many reasons:
Difference Between Tequila And Patron
Key difference: Tequila is a distilled spirit that is composed from the blue agave plant. Patron, on the other hand, is a brand of tequila. It is produced and marketed by The Patrón Spirits Company.
Tequila is a distilled spirit that is composed from the blue agave plant. The blue agave plant grows primarily around the city of Tequila, Mexico. Hence, most tequila distilleries are located in the surrounding area. According to Mexican Law, tequila can be produced only in the state of Jalisco and limited regions in the states of Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. However, it can be shipped in large quantities to the United States of America to be bottled, and eventually sold.
Tequila was first produced in the 15th century. It generally has 3840% alcohol content, which is 7680 proof. Some types of tequila may be produced with an alcoholic content as low as 31% or as high as 55% . However, these are uncommon.
Under Mexican Law, only tequila which is 100% agave can be sold as tequila. Even so, as per American Law, tequila which is 51% agave can be commercially labeled as tequila. These types of tequila are usually called mixtos in Mexico.
According to Wikipedia, there are 5 different types of tequila:
Image Courtesy: scottystarnes.wordpress.com, parisparissl.es
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The Difference In Patron Tequila
The difference in the brands products lies in their creation. It all begins in the Weber Blue Agave harvesting, the plant used as the base ingredient of tequilas.
Since the agave plants ripening happens only every eight years or so, the companys experienced Jimadors were trained to spot the plant with optimal sugar content. Using a sharp tool referred to as Coa, they get right into the piña, or the agave plants core.
These piñas ripen slowly, and it also takes a slow process to prepare them for fermentation. This arduous and meticulous task makes Patron Tequila a premium spirit and one of the worlds most known tequila brands.
The piñas are manually chopped before they are baked using small brick ovens. Once evenly cooked, a roller mill and a 2-ton volcanic stone Tahona wheel crush them to the pulp. They then go through a 3-day fermentation process, after which they are placed in barrels for distillation and ageing.
The brands oldest tequila is the Extra Añejo 10 Años, left to age for 10 years, and the product that undergoes the minimum aging process of two months is Patrón Reposado.
The story does not end when the liquor fermentation begins.
The brand ensures perfection up to the bottles they use, and the cork or crystal stopper. The renowned glass artisans from Mexico mold and measure the bottles used by the brand Lalique, the French crystal master, handles the design of the crystal stopper, while the fine corks used were obtained through sustainable harvesting.
Jos Cuervo’s Reserva De La Familia Reposado
By name, this variety of José Cuervo is a reposado tequila. But, José Cuervo’s Reserva de la Familia Reposado stands out among the rest since it spends several months in three different barrels. Its flavor is fruity and toasted. This reposado is also on Forbes Mexico’s list of the top 5 tequilas for 2018 and costs around 105 USD, 87 euros, or 2,000 Mexican pesos.
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Why Is Patron Tequila So Expensive
Patrón Tequila is one of the best selling tequila brands, despite its high price. A bottle of Patrón Silver starts at $50, while a top-shelf crystal bottle of Patrón en Lalique: Serie 2 can cost up to $7,500. The super premium tequila is expensive because its made from 100% agave and in a small batch system.
Let’s Talk About Aging Tequila
The amount of aging and the amount of agave used to make a tequila are what create the different varieties. Each variety has a different type of flavor, aroma, and price point.
These are blanco, reposado, añejo, and extra añejo.
Keep in mind that añejo doesnt mean best, it just means oldest. If you prefer the flavor of blanco, then buy blanco. Extra añejos are often the most expensive tequilas.
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Prices Compared To Other Tequila Brands
Don Julio
A standard 750ml bottle of Don Julio Blanco Tequila can be bought for roughly $41.99-45.99, which is roughly the same amount that a bottle of Patron for the same volume goes for on the market. One of the more expensive bottles of Don Julio, Don Julio Real Tequila, retails from between $399.99 – $419.99, which is slightly cheaper than Patrons Gran Patron Burdeo.
Avion
A bottle of Avion Silver retails for slightly cheaper than a standard bottle of Patron Silver Tequila, ranging between $34.99 – $38.99. In contrast, Avions most expensive bottle of tequila, Avion Reserva 44, ranges between #129.99 – $149.99. This shys in comparison to Patrons Gran Patron Burdeo, which is distilled for much longer, resulting in a higher-quality tequila.
Rose Tequila
Rose Tequila makes their spirits with specialty flavors. A bottle of Tequila Rose Strawberry Cream can be bought for $17.99 – $21.99. All of Patrons spirit prices go for much higher, and their flavors tend not to be as adventurous.
Milagro
Milagro offers their 750ml Milagro Silver tequila for $21.99 – $27.99, which is slightly cheaper than a regular bottle of Patron. In general, Milagros prices arent as steep as Patrons, primarily because Patron brands itself as a premium tequila. Milagros most expensive bottle, Milagro Unico 2, tops out at a price between $269.99 – $299.99.
Jose Cuervo
Deleon
Hornitos
Patron Tequila The Owners
Originally, the brands product lines were processed in one of the oldest distilleries in Mexico, called Casa 7 Leguas. The St. Maarten Spirits owners, Martin Crowley and John Paul DeJoria, moved its production in 2002 to its current distillery even after purchasing the brand way back in 1989.
Patron was sold to the largest privately held spirits company, Bacardi, in January 2018. According to Facundo Bacardi, chairman of Bacardi, the partnership was a merger of two companies founded on the principles of fearlessness, innovation, integrity, and quality. This historic move elevated Bacardi into the super-premium segment of the biggest spirits company in the US.
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Learn About The Different Types Of Tequila And What’s Best For Your Next Margarita
Blanco, reposado, anejo there are so many different types of tequila and they each have their own flavor profiles and favorite pairings. But how do you know which one is best for your favorite margarita, paloma or other tequila-based drink? Our expert mixologist Joey Torkelson walks us through the different types of tequila, how to use them on your menu and some delicious recipe ideas.
A Buying Guide To Tequilas
The tequilas recommended here are by no means a comprehensive list, but rather suggestions for widely available tequilas across many price points.
Some good buying guidelines are:
- Avoid anything that is packaged in plastic or that costs less than $15 as these are signs of cheap tequila thatll burn like hellfire down your throat and taste like lighter fluid.
- Buy only tequila that states 100% agave on the bottle.
- Its perfectly reasonable to find a smooth, flavorful tequila for $25-$30 thats great for shots, cocktails, or sipping. A high price does not always indicate high quality.
- If theres a worm or scorpion or, really, any animal in the bottle, then dont buy it. Its a marketing gimmick used to sell cheaply produced tequilas and its almost guaranteed to be dreck.
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For The Tequila Connoisseur: Patrn Extra Aejo
If theres someone in your life who values age statements and un-ironically retires after dinner with a snifter of brandy, consider gifting them the experience of PATRÓN Extra Añejo. While this aged spirit appreciator might seem like an intimidating person to buy for, PATRÓN Extra Añejo can deliver the goods.
Thats thanks to the at least three full years that the tequila spends maturing in a mix of American, French, and Hungarian oak barrels, which gives it a beautiful dark-gold color. But more importantly, the wood grants it a rewardingly full body and richly sweet fruit flavors that are truly worthy of contemplation.
Ready To Become An Expert In Tequila
This tequila guide will cover what makes tequila and go over some basic definitions so you can be amazed by tequila knowledge.
Here, youll find some recommendations for tequilas that are widely available so you can start stocking your home bar and ensure the best tequila experience for your next party or night out.
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What Is The Best Tequila
Our editors have reviewed dozens of tequila brands over the last year, to come up with some of our favorite bottles, based on taste profile, uniqueness and value. And while there are a number of tequila brands that have launched in recent months , this list runs the gamut from tried-and-true brands, to limited-edition releases that youll be smart to pick up if you see them available online.
Whether you want to sip on something smooth or just want to upgrade your margarita, here are 15 tequilas you can buy online and get delivered to your door in time for your next happy hour, dinner or party.
The Best Way To Drink Patron Tequila
The popular way of enjoying tequila is to take it with salt and lemon. However, if you really want to enjoy tequilas, especially Patron tequilas, you should sip them slowly and savor the taste of the individual ingredients, more like when you take whisky or brandy. To better help you differentiate the different aromas and tastes that make up the tequila, you can use a shifter or rocks glass for drinking the tequila.
You can also pour the drink over ice or shake it with ice, then sieve it into a different glass if you want your tequila chilled. Adding a few drops of water to your tequila is also not a bad idea. It will help enhance the taste of the tequila. The beautiful thing about spirits is that you can experiment with anything and come up with something that is tastefully grand.
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