For many, summer means a move to more frosty beverages such as frozen margaritas. Before you reach for the lime, here's what you need to know about tequila.
The Mexican magic potion
Tequila is a Blue Agave-based spirit made mostly in the area of Tequila, which is located in the state of Jalisco. Mexican laws prohibit the beverage from being made outside of the region.
It’s not for Spring Breakers anymore
Forget the worm-soaked firewater of your past. As the bartending and mixology industry grows, bartenders are turning to tequila (for its spiciness) and the Maguey-based mescal (for its smokiness) to create new and avant-garde cocktails at high-end restaurants and clubs around the world.
Sipping, not shooting
Drinking tequila such as a Reposado or Añejo requires sipping it like a fine Scotch or Cognac. Many of the producers of these spirits go through a rigorous selection of Agave plants on the farm, long-term aging periods and meticulous selection of barrels before bottling what reaches you. Hopefully it will reach you chilled to perfection.
The two types of Tequila
The first, 100% Agave, means no other sugar was used during the fermentation process. That means more body and more flavor. Anything else is called “mixto.” or more likely it isn’t called anything, so that attention isn’t drawn to the fact that it isn’t 100% Agave. But note that just because something is marked 100%, doesn’t guarantee that it’s a high quality spirit. That is only the starting point.
Know your terms
There are also five types of tequilas within those categories. Knowing what each of these categories means will help you get the flavor of Tequila you desire.
Blanco (white) or Plata (silver)
This bottle contains a white spirit, un-aged and bottled or stored immediately after distillation, or aged less than two months in oak barrels. Blancos are clean, crisp and have just the right amount of spiciness. They are perfect for sipping and mixing cocktails.
Joven (young) or Oro (gold)
These tequilas mix the clean and crisp flavors of Blanco with a touch more complexity from the oak aging.
Reposado (rested)
A Reposado is aged a minimum of two months, but less than a year in oak barrels. They are an entry into the rich flavors of smoke, vanilla and caramel.
Añejo (aged or vintage)
This spirit is aged a minimum of one year, but less than three years, in oak barrels. The added barrel time adds layers of complexity and deepens the spice, vanilla and smoky flavors found in Reposado.
Extra Añejo (extra aged or ultra aged)
The heavyweight of the Tequila world. It’s aged a minimum of three years in oak barrels. The added barrel time creates a rich and hedonistic style of Tequila—super complex, smoky and full of rich caramel flavors.
Extra Point - What to Buy
4 Copas Blanco; $40
This is great for sipping or in a cocktail— herbal and floral with a peppery finish,
Partida Reposado; $60
Aged 6 months in Jack Daniels barrels, this Tequila smooth and rich with a touch of smokiness.
Cabo Wabo Reposado; $45
Created by rocker Sammy Hagar, the Cabo Reposado is spicy with notes of vanilla and caramel.
Tres Agaves Añejo; $40
Aged for 18 months in oak, it’s rich and robust with plenty of oak and vanilla flavors.
Don Pilar Añejo; $45
For tequila loves who want something certified Kosher, this has pungent aromas of citrus, roasted nuts and butter.
Chinaco Negro Extra Añejo; $225
It’s a peppery and smoky treat with notes of vanilla.
Casa Dragones Joven; $275
Taste their super clean style with delicate floral aromas that are both fruity and spicy.
Partida Elegante; $400
Less than 1,500 bottles exist of this incredibly pure tequila, intense with aromas of vanilla, flowers and spice.
Don Julio Tequila Real; $475
This treasure is aged five years in wood, which creates extremely complex tequila packed with exotic aromas.
Gran Patrón Burdeos $500
Patron’s ultimate expression of tequila contains aromas of dried fruits, raisins, crème brûlée and tons of spice.
