Wednesday, March 27, 2024

What Is The Best Type Of Tequila

Jose Cuervo Clasico Blanco Tequila

Classifications of Tequila Best Types of Tequila Difference Between Tequilas

Its no wonder that Jose Cuervo is one of the most widely known tequila brands on the market. Its a classic, and for good reason. Produced, of course, with blue agave, the blanco tequila is unaged and makes the perfect addition to any cocktail and the dream base of any margarita. Both sweet and strong, with a note of spice, its a crisp tequila that youll always come back to. £29.69. At

What Is The Best Type Of Tequila For Margaritas

Tequila is the most important part of a . Without tequila, its really not even a Margarita . So the main question is: Which type of tequila should you use?

TL;DR: Blanco tequila. Its unaged, and a more pure expression of what the agave plant can do than both the more mellowed-out reposado and anejo tequila . If you can only choose one tequila, you need something right away, and you dont have time to experiment with different Margarita recipes, then you need to grab a blanco tequila.

I prefer blanco tequila personally because the flavor is pure, Diego Livera, the head bartender at Tavo in New York City, tells VinePair in an email. When tequila is aged, the oak adds this beautiful sense of caramel and spice that makes it more elegant. When I drink a Margarita, I prefer the ones that have the purest flavors mostly because they complement the rest of the ingredients so well.

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In other words, bigger, bolder agave flavors belong with lime, orange liqueur, and a salt rim. Tequilas that have been cooled down from oak have subtlety, but its a subtlety that gets lost in the classic three-two-one margarita .

The simplicity, however, ends there if youre a true Margarita fan. Because while the classic Margarita should always be made with blanco, innovative twists on the classic can use whatever matches the ingredients best.

Reserva De La Familia Jose Cuervo

It would be hard to find a better EA at this price, an approachable splurge to sip on special occasions and the perfect gift for a tequila collector. Jose Cuervo, the biggest tequila brand on the planet, located at the La Rojeña distillery in Tequila, uses only the hearts of select, mature blue agaves, aged between 10 and 12 years. The agave hearts are then baked in ovens at the La Rojeña distillery and aged in both French and American oak some charred with older batches blended in to maintain consistency. Theres a nice balance of smoke, vanilla, sweetness, and whiskey, while the process has preserved enough blue agave in the glass to remind you its a tequila.

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Cazcabel Coconut Tequila Liqueur: Best Tequila Liqueur

Price: £25 |

If you’re looking for the perfect liqueur for those fruity cocktails, this coconut delight from Cazcabel is a delicious alternative to classic tequila. Coconut fans are guaranteed to love this, as it has an incredibly strong coconut flavour and a smooth, easy-drinking finish. It makes a fantastic frozen coconut margarita and, as there’s a touch of sweetness there, also tastes great on its own with ice. It’s made with tequila blanco that’s been distilled for a short time, for a clean and authentic taste.

We’re also big fans of Cazcabel’s coffee tequila liqueur, which is incredibly sweet and coffee-heavy. Fantastic over ice in a creamy espresso-martini style cocktail.

Key specs Alcohol content:;34%;;Bottle size:;70cl;;Type:;Blanco

El Tesoro Aejo Tequila

The 5 Types of Tequila: Your Guide to the Differences ...

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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How Healthy Is Tequila

Sadly, because agave is fermented in order to distill tequila, most of the healthful qualities are eliminated in the process. Even so, tequila experts and nutritionists do praise the spirit as being a “healthier” alcohol. “Tequila is one of the liquors I suggest to clients who like an occasional tipple but would rather not completely undo their overall wellness and nutrition efforts,” says Persak.

Tequila has about 97 calories per jigger and no carbohydrates, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, as do other spirits such as vodka, rum, and whiskey. This gives it an edge over wine, beer, and hard ciders, which contain more calories, carbohydrates, and sugar per serving. Tequila is also gluten-free, as are many distilled spirits yes, even those that are distilled from grains. And, since it’s a clear spirit, tequila is generally lower in congeners than darker liquors, according to the Mayo Clinic.

It’s worth noting that, when it comes to cocktails, the mixers are where extra calories and sugar can sneak in, so if you’re looking to keep your drink super healthy, opt for something such as sparkling water or a squeeze of fresh fruit juice, which are generally low in calories, sugar, and carbs, says Persak.

Understanding The Differences In Types Of Tequila

Tequila is made from the distillation of the juice from the blue agave plant. Pure tequila, made solely from the agave plant, begins its life in fermentation vessels. 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.;

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How Tequila Is Made

Tequila is made by distilling the fermented juices of the blue agave plant, also known as Agave tequilana. The blue agave plant is a member of the lily family and looks similar to the aloe vera plant. It is grown for seven to ten years before being harvested to make tequila.

The plant produces a large bulb underground called a piña that looks almost like a pineapple. After being harvested, the piña is cut into quarters and then slowly baked until the starches are converted to sugars. The baked piña quarters are then crushed to extract the sweet juice within, which then gets fermented with yeast to convert the sugars into alcohol.;

The best tequilas on the market are clearly labeled as 100% Weber blue agave, however many are not labeled as such because they are classified as mixto. Mixto tequilas are mixed with different agave varieties or other ingredients, thus reducing the percentage of pure blue agave.

Mexican law states that in order for a bottle to be considered tequila, it must contain at least 51% Weber blue agave. Tequila is typically distilled until it reaches approximately 110 proof and is then cut with water to reduce it to between 76 and 80 proof. By law, tequila cannot go over 100 proof.

Best For Sipping: El Tesoro Aejo

5 Best Tequila Brands (Traditionally Made) – The Tequila Hombre

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

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Best Tequila Brands For Your Home Bar

Commonly enjoyed as a shot, on the rocks, or in a refreshing cocktail, tequila makes a fantastic addition to any home bar. In my opinion, its a must-have spirit for your collection.

If youre looking to make a tequila cocktail but arent sure where to start, I highly recommend starting with a , tequila sunrise, or paloma. These are classics and a few of my all-time favorites as well.;

Whether youre looking for the best bang for your buck or a fancier brand to impress your friends, theres a stellar tequila out there for everyone. Below are my top recommendations for the best tequila brands to keep in your home bar.

Mixto Tequila Verses 100% Agave Tequila

A tequila can be organized into two categories, mixto tequilas and 100% agave tequilas.

Mixto tequilas are made with no less than 51% agave, with the other 49% usually being fermented sugar cane juice. The result is a tequila thats very sweet in both smell and taste. However, the flavor usually stops there.

These mixto tequilas are often harsh in flavor, burn on the way down, and thus are inferior to other tequilas. Golden-colored mixtos are called joven or oro tequilas and have oak flavoring and coloring added. The reason these are made in the first place is because theyre affordable to make for producers and, frankly, they sell well in stores due to their low price point.

Mixtos arent ideal and I generally dont recommend buying them. But if youre planning a big party with a tequila-based punch that has a lot of juices and flavors to help mask the mixto, then a mixto is a practical option.

If a tequila is labeled as 100% agave, this means that the tequila in question was made with only blue agave. Generally, its recommended by most bartenders and tequila enthusiasts that you only buy tequilas which clearly state this on the label, as it will guarantee you a much better product that has a more complex flavor and significantly less burn.

Leela Cyd Ross

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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.

Where Does Tequila Come From

What is the best type of tequila for shots? Is high end ...

Tequila is a distilled spirit made from the blue agave plant, and it only comes from Mexico. To be called Tequila, by law, it must come from one of five Mexican states: Jalisco , Guanajuato, Nayarit, Michoacán or Tamaulipas.

There are other spirits distilled from agave, but those are called either Mezcal or Destilado de Agave. Similar to the rule in the US for bourbon whiskey, all Tequilas are Mezcals, but not all Mezcals are Tequila. The oldest Tequila distillery is Grupo José Cuervo, which distills the famous José Cuervo Tequila, founded in 1758.

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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.

Consider Ethics And Sustainability

Aside from what’s actually in the tequila, it’s also important to remember the ethics behind a brand. “When it comes to buying a ‘healthy’ tequila, I’d challenge you to dig into how it’s made by the producer and if they’re ethically and sustainably sound,” says bartender, consultant, and drinks writer Tyler Zielinski. “If the brand treats their employees well and lists their distiller’s name on the bottle, has a sound plan for farming their agave and ensure the soil is healthy and agave are able to reach full maturity , and is 100 percent blue weber agave tequila with a NOM on the label , then you can trust that the brand is producing a product worth drinking.”

When in doubt, research a tequila distillery or email them to ask about their cultivating and distilling process, says Glasman. “If they’re reluctant to answer your questions, then it’s most likely that they’re hiding something.”

Reminder: Your spending power helps can help make an impact, even in its own small way. “The brand you choose can shape the industry as a whole,” says Fodor. “Do you want to drink cheap but overpriced additive-heavy tequila or traditional ones capturing the essence of the agave made by passionate, small, local businesses? By buying these bottles, you’re supporting an indie traditional and local tequila producer directly for producing a unique ,authentic tequila.”

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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.;

What Is The Smoothest Tequila

Tequila Types and the Tequila Making Process

Here are the best sipping tequilas our experts recommend to drink right now.

  • Best Highlands: El Tesoro Reposado.
  • Best for Beginners: Casamigos Blanco.
  • Best Under $30: Espolòn Reposado.
  • Best Under $50: Cazadores Añejo.
  • Best Splurge: Don Ramón Limited Edition Extra Añejo.
  • Best Gift: Casa Dragones Añejo Barrel Blend.

Also Check: How To Make Your Own Tequila Brand

How To Choose The Best Tequila For You

The name tequila;is protected, so all brands and types come from Mexico. The spirit is mostly produced in the area surrounding the actual city of Tequila, and in the highlands of the central-western Mexican state of Jalisco. Here, the blue agave plant needs at least eight years to mature, after which harvesters extract the piña from the plants core, stripping it of its leaves before distilling it.

What types of tequila are there?

There are four main types:

Blanco a white-coloured spirit, bottled or stored straight after distillation or aged less than two months in stainless steel or oak barrels.

Reposado literally, a rested tequila, which has been aged in oak barrels for between two and 12 months.

Añejo is aged tequila. This stays in the barrels for longer generally between one and three years and the barrels themselves are smaller, which adds to the flavour.

Extra añejo tequilas that remain in the barrel for at least three years.

The different tastes are quite distinctive. With blanco, the agave flavours tend to be more intense, while reposado or añejo are usually smoother, mellower and more complex and just like other spirits aged in casks, they can take on the flavours of the wood.

How do I know it’s tequila?

Look for 100% agave tequila printed on the bottle label. This designation is only allowed to appear on bottles containing tequila that have no added sugars. When sugar get added to the fermentation tank, the tequila style is called a mixto.

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