Best For Tequila And Tonic: Espoln Tequila Blanco
Image Source / Drizly
Region: Mexico | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Pepper, Pineapple
This is 100 percent agave tequila with a great history, says Jose Medina Camacho, bar manager at Automatic Seafood & Oysters in Birmingham, Ala. I love it in a tequila tonic, or just neat with a glass of sparkling rose. One of my favorite things about it is that it pays homage to Mexican culture from the art on the bottles to the balance of juice in the bottle.
Collecting Your Tequila Distillate
Next, youll be collecting your tequila distillate. This is where all of your hard work up to this point will pay off! Its definitely the most satisfying part of this entire distilling process. This step is a mixture of art and science. It takes an experienced distiller to get this process dialed in and exactly right. However, dont let that deter you if youre a tequila distilling newcomer. You know what they say, practice makes perfect. Its no different here. After you run a few batches with your still, youll gain a familiarity with the whole process and be able to really improve by taking notes and making the necessary adjustments.
You Can Still Take Tequila Shots
Traditionally, many Americans prefer their tequila in a shot glass with some salt and a lime, which is OK. There is no wrong way to drink tequila, Koerner says. Shooting spirits has always been a means to achieve the effect of imbibing spirits while minimizing the consumer’s experience with the flavors of poorly made and often alarmingly cheap spirits. If you do decide to take a shot of tequilaagain, no judgment heresome of our favorite chasers are fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, orange slices sprinkled with cinnamon or spiced salt, or a fresh slice of lime. And try to avoid bottom shelf brands when taking shots. If you shoot something nice, you wont regret it the next day, Hermosillo adds. If you shoot something bad, you will definitely regret it the next day.
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Corazon Buffalo Trace Old 22 Aejo
This is a whiskey lovers tequila. Its aged at least 22 months in barrels that once held Buffalo Trace whiskey, and it has notes of vanilla, oak, and bread, followed by a creamy finish. Its yellow-green hue reminded some of our tasters of Sauvignon Blanc, and it is similarly silky and acidic. Average price: $89.
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.
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Sauza Tres Generaciones Plata Silver Tequila: Best Blanco Tequila
Price: £54 |
This unaged, clear tequila is triple distilled for an exceptionally smooth sipping experience, with slight hints of citrus, floral notes and white pepper. Theres no throat burning with this premium tequila from Sauza, named for the three generations of their family who have been making their tequila since 1873.
In fact, theyre one of the most awarded families of tequilas, with six gongs at the International Wine & Spirits Competition, one of the most prestigious in the industry. Its clean, fresh tasting and well balanced.
Key specs Alcohol content: 38% Bottle size: 70cl Type: Blanco
Best Reposado: Espoln Tequila Reposado
Espolon is definitely my favorite inexpensive tequila, says Kira Calder, general manager of Lona Cocina & Tequileria in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The reposado is rested in American oak barrels, which creates subtle notes of vanilla and caramelperfect for spirit-forward tequila cocktails. All of its expressions are delicious and highly underrated.
The tequila, which is aged between two and four months in white oak barrels, is a great sipper, says The Hollers Ray. It has a touch of sweetness and citrus. Its best with just a few ice cubes, although I also suggest drinking it with a lemon peel to bring out the citrus notes.
Beyond a bartender co-sign, this bottle has received many medals awarded at international spirits competitions. The design on the label features a tribute to Mexican culture, inspired by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada.
The crystal-clear Bribon is unaged with vegetal earthy notes that work well in a margarita, paloma, or old-fashioned, though Jessica Fallon, general Manager of Ladybirds in Houston, Texas, says she prefers drinking it on the rocks.
Bribon is a solid tequila for its price, says Fallon. Its a tequila I recommend to new agave drinks because its approachable and has a bright flavor.
Bottles of Bribon are produced at the historic Casa Don Roberto distillery in the heart of Tequila town.
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Best For Paloma: Olmeca Altos Plata
Image Source / ReserveBar
Region: Mexico | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Citrus, Brine, Agave
This is great quality and affordable tequila that stands out really well with various cocktails, says Danilo Bozovic of rooftop bar and restaurant Sugar in Miami. The Olmeca Altos blanco, which is crafted from blue Weber agave grown at elevations of nearly 7000 feet in the Los Altos region of Jalisco, works particularly well in a Palomaa mix of tequila, lime juice and grapefruit soda.
With an unrivaled smoothness at this price point, this tequila can be enjoyed straight or mixed in a cocktail. Jonathan Cunningham, bar manager, Husk Barbeque, Greenville, S.C.
How To Know If Youre Drinking Real Tequila
Tequila is all the rage these days. New brands and styles keep popping up, and there are more options than ever before. With all the new bottles on the market, you might wonder: How can you know youre drinking real tequila? Its actually pretty easy because all you have to do is properly read the label. There, you can find out where the tequila is from, who made it and what style of tequila is inside.
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Clase Azul Reposado Tequila
Drizly
If Casamigos is what you serve at your party, Clase Azul is what you break out for the select few invited to stick around after the crowd leaves. This may be one of the priciest options on our list, but this top-shelf tequila is worth the premium price. Clase Azuls tequila comes in this instantly recognizable bottle, which you see on the top shelf of high-end bars and restaurants. At over $100, this is a true premium spirit, with a bottle and flavor profile worthy of its price.
Made from blue agave plants in Mexico, Clase Azul Reposado Tequila features notes of spice, cream soda, apple cider, jasmine, cinnamon and honey. The bottles, meantime, are like a work of art, inspired by traditional Mexican colors and motifs. Each bottle is hand-crafted and hand-painted, so no two are alike, making Clase Azul a great gift idea as well.
Best For Margaritas: Herradura Silver
Image Source / ReserveBar
Region: Mexico | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Agave, Oak
Herradura is well known and for the price, says Reniel Garcia, bar director of Havana 1957 on Española Way. Fruity and spicy, great to sip or make your favorite Margarita. Its particularly flavorful in a Margarita because Herraduras silver tequila is aged in oak for 45 days, infusing it with soft flavors to round out this classic cocktail.
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There Is A Right Temperature For Tequila
While there are many delicious tequila cocktails, youll never truly know tequila until you sip it straight. While Hermosillo prefers his neat, he says its OK to add iceas long as its a large ice block rather than small cubes. Thats so you dont dilute it, he notes. Youre just going to cool down the temperature. I enjoy tequila at around 68 degrees Fahrenheit. You dont want to drink tequila hotthen youll get that big hit of alcohol and you wont be able to enjoy all the notes.
Storing Your Tequila Correctly Will Make It Last Longer
Once you get into tequila and start building your own collection at home, its essential to remember that the spirit will never go bad as long as its stored correctly. Tequila wont go bad if you keep the top on and keep it well sealed, Hermosillo says. What goes bad is when you leave it open and it evaporates. When it evaporates you start getting this really bad tasting water, so you want to keep it well closed. And be sure to keep it in a cool place.
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What Is The Best 100 Agave Tequila
4.4/5Browse the top-ranked list of 100 Percent Agave Tequila List below along with associated reviews and opinions.
- Don Julio Blanco Tequila. 5.0 / 5 stars
- El Padrino Blanco Tequila.
“100 Blue Agave Tequila”
- Cazul 100 Anejo. Mexico- 100% blue agave Anejo Tequila aged in oak barrels for 24 months.
- Cazul 100 Silver.
- Sauza Signature Blue Tequila.
- Sauza 100 Anos Reposado.
- Tres Agaves Blanco.
- Agavales Especial Silver100% Agave.
- Agavales Especial Gold 100% Agave.
Likewise, is 100 agave tequila better? 100% agave means no other sugar was used during fermentation to create the alcohol, so it has more body, more flavour, and a stronger agave aroma. “100% agave” can make even a strong blanco tequila into a respectable drink, with a peppery bite and a powerful agave-sharp tang.
People also ask, what is the highest quality tequila?
Here are the tequilas we love most.
- Best Blanco Tequila: Don Julio Blanco. Don Julio offers up bright aromas of fresh agave along with lemon and grapefruit.
- Best Reposado Tequila: ArteNOM Selección de 1414 Reposado.
- Best Añejo Tequila: Grand Mayan Ultra Aged Añejo.
- Best Cheap Tequila: Milagro Silver.
What is the smoothest tequila on the market?
Here are five of the best sipping tequilas on the market:
- Casa Dragones. Casa Dragones is actually labeled as sipping tequila. Imbibers are encouraged to savor this treasure, made from the estate-grown blue agave in Tequila, Mexico.
- Casa Herradura Seleccion Suprema.
T1 Tequila Uno Selecto Tears Of Llorona
Liquor.com / Laura Sant
Before there was Patrón, there was Chinaco, ostensibly the first “premium” tequila to enter the U.S. market. The man behind it was master distiller Germán González. Hes since gone on to produce a pair of his own beautifully crafted brands with t1 Tequila Uno and Tears of Llorona. Both spirits start with the same high-quality highland agave, cooked in the same fashion, but its his distilling and aging processes that distinguish them from each other.
While the t1 line consists primarily of 80-proof tequilas, Gonzalezs Selecto 86-proof expression is where he finds the best balance of agave flavor and alcohol. “Selecto is more like my memory of old-fashioned Mexican tequila,” says Gonzalez. “I sort of created it for myself, because that is the way I like my tequila. It’s beautifully light-on-its-feet with a scent of buttery almond and vanilla that turns to creamy, sweet agave and a hint of citrus when it hits your tongue.
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What Is Tequila Made From
Tequila is made by distilling the fermented juices of the Weber blue agave plant . A member of the lily family, it looks like a giant aloe vera with spiked barbs on the tips. After seven to 10 years of growth, the agave plant is ready to be harvested.
Underground, the plant produces a large bulb called a piña, which looks similar to a white pineapple. The agave’s leaves are removed and the piñas are quartered and slowly baked in steam or brick ovens until the starches are converted to sugars. The baked agave is crushed to extract the sweet juice, which is then fermented with yeast to convert the sugar into alcohol.
In 1978, the tequila industry initiated a set of strict Appellation of Origin standards. These regulate where and how tequila can be made, what is on the label, the style of tequila, and what can legally take the name “tequila.” NOM-006-SCFI-2012 defines these rules and it is overseen by the Consejo Regulador del Tequila .
Tequila can only be produced, bottled, and inspected within certain municipalities of five Mexican states: Jalisco, Nayarit, Guanajuato, Michoacan, and Tamaulipas. Jalisco is home to the town of Tequila and is where the majority of modern tequila production takes place.
Tequila is distilled in either pot or column stills until it reaches around 110 proof. Before bottling, the distillate is cut with water to obtain the bottling strength. Tequilas are usually 38 to 40 percent alcohol by volume but may not be stronger than 50 percent ABV .
A Cocktail Waitress Wrote A Pretty Good Sing
Cindy Jordan, once named Miss Jose Cuervo, wrote the ode to Cuervo in 1977 while working as a waitress in southern California, but country singer Shelly West made it famous in 1983. As the lyrics go, Jose Cuervo, you are a friend of mine. I like to drink you with a little salt and lime. Many people can relate.
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Patron Silver Tequila 100% De Agave 750ml Empty Decanter/bottle With Cork
Seller: 64854100%, Location:Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Ships to: US, Item:303720348022Patron Silver Tequila 100% de Agave 750ml EMPTY DECANTER/BOTTLE with Cork. For Sale is a great Silver Patron Tequila Agave empty decanter/bottle with original round cork stopper. It is in perfect condition and has been rinsed.Thanks, for looking!Condition:New, Restocking Fee:No, All returns accepted:Returns Accepted, Item must be returned within:30 Days, Refund will be given as:Money Back, Return shipping will be paid by:Buyer, Color:Clear bottles with silver logo/label, Brand:Patron, Featured Refinements:Patrón Tequila Bottle, Volume:750ml bottle See More
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Blanco Silver Or White Tequila
Blanco tequila is a transparent spirit that isnt necessarily completely colorless and is diluted with water, to the proper bottling ABV. To be considered a Blanco or silver tequila, you can mature or age the spirit in oak barrels for zero to two months. If you age your Blanco tequila for more than two months, it will be considered a Reposado tequila. Which well cover next.
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The Basics Of 1800 Tequila
· Tequilas from 1800 are distilled twice and aged in French and American oak barrels.
· Tequila is manufactured from 100 percent blue agave farmed on family farms in Jalisco, Mexico, and bottled there.
· Every year, as part of its Essential Artists series, 1800 Tequila collaborates with a different artist to release limited edition bottles.
Best Overall: Fuenteseca Cosecha 2018
Region: Jalisco, Mexico | ABV: 45.7% | Tasting Notes: Cinnamon, Olive, Brine
This tequila is a cult favorite among experts, as Yana Volfson, the beverage manager at Cosme and ATLA restaurants in New York, calls it beautiful. Enrique Fuenteseca, the farmer and distiller behind the bottle, chooses the ripest agave in his own estate, subjects the piñas to the autoclave-and-roller mill treatment, and lets the pot-distilled spirit rest in stainless steel tanks afterward for three years. The resulting blanco, says Grover Sanschagrin, is super heavy on the cinnamon, olive, and brine notesits just amazing. Perfect for tequila aficionados, the limited-production Fuenteseca Cosecha 2013 is a worthy collectible.
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There Are Four Main Types Of Tequila
Learning the differences between the four main types of tequila can help you determine which bottle to order. Theres blanco , reposado, añejo and extra añejo, and theyre essentially defined by how long they are aged. Blanco is a favorite amongst drinkers since its typically not aged and reflects the natural flavor of the spirit, but Hermosillo recommends starting with reposado, which is aged in wood barrels for less than one year. That gives somebody, if theyre not a big tequila drinker, the ability to come into the category with something that is easier to enjoy, he says. Añejo is very good for bourbon and whiskey drinkers. It really depends on your palate what you want to go to, but when youre being initiated into tequila, reposado is a good starter.
How Are The Different Types Of Tequila Different
Mixto tequila must first be mixed with sugar or molasses before fermentation begins. Then, depending on the subsequent process, the tequila will become one of the following five types. 1. Gold Tequila Most gold tequilas get their color from the caramel coloring added to the tequila before fermentation.
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Cuervo Knows How To Get Fancy
When only the finest will do, theres the $140 Reserva de la Familia Añejo Max, in which the art of tequila making is on display. Only the most flavorful pulps from 10-12-year old agave vines are slow-cooked at the brands famous La Rojeña distillery. The liquid is then aged in toasted American and French oak barrels, after which master distiller Alex Coronado blends the three-year-old, super-premium tequila before signing and dating the wax-sealed, handmade bottles.