Tequila is a drink that represents Mexico. It has a tart, unconventional and bold taste, which perfectly conveys the spirit of the country. Latin American countries are traditionally among the leaders in tequila consumption. But according to the data from the Mexican Chamber of Industries, global demand for the drink increases by an average of 3.2% per year. There are many tequila drinkers in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, which are included in a huge number of cocktails.
The whole secret of tequila is in its production. The raw material used is the fruit of the agave succulent, a plant with long and dense leaves. It grows only in warm climates. Interestingly, the agave must reach maturity at 7 to 12 years of age to be processed. Only during this period does the plant accumulate the right amount of sap in its leaves.
Tequila isstrong alcohol, which combines tradition with true craftsmanship. There are more than a thousand registered brands on the market, making it difficult to find the best brands of tequila. In our article, we will tell you what types of tequila exist and how they differ, as well as make a list of the best brands of this Mexican drink.
Tequila Definition
All tequila comes from the Mexican Tequila Region, which is represented by the five states of Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas, and for a spirit to be called tequila, it must be distilled from agave plants grown in that region.In addition to the region of origin, another thing to know is the four-digit number that represents the unique code of each distillery.
The Norma Oficial Mexicana (or “NOM”) number is assigned by the Mexican government and certifies that the bottle you are holding is authentic tequila produced in Mexico. It also tells you who the producer of the tequila is. For example, Patron Tequilas has NOM 1492.If the bottle you purchase does not have NOM, it means that it is not TRC (Tequila Regulatory Council) certified, and therefore it is not authentic tequila.
Tequila Production
Tequila production is a long and meticulous process that requires a combination of skill, patience, and a bit of luck. Patron, for example, uses a seven-step process that can take up to three years before tequila is ready.
The traditional method of making tequila involves harvesting the agave, cooking the piñas (the heart of the plant) in the oven, grinding them with a tajona (large stone wheel), and then fermenting and distilling the juice and fiber. Of course, technology has advanced, and some distilleries use more modern methods, replacing the tajona with a mill or even using something like a diffuser.
Tequila Classification
Tequila is divided into several classifications, namely by purity of alcohol, and by the time of aging.
Tequila varieties by the purityof alcohol:
- Blue Agaveis made of 100% agave alcohol. Blue Agave is a premium tequila. It is called “pure” because it consists of natural blue agave juice. Any other impurities are not allowed.
- Tequila Mixto is a combination of alcohol, with a concentration of 51% to 99% purified blue agave nectar. The remaining 1-49% is scattered in corn and cane alcohol, flavorings, and coloring agents. The most often used diluents are sugar syrup, glycerin, caramel coloring, and flavoring with the oak extract.
Tequila varieties by aging time:
- Silver – can also be referred to as White. It is made only from the pulp, the “heart” of the agave leaves. The alcohol does not undergo an aging stage, it is immediately poured into containers. The taste of this tequila is quite intense and pure. The drink is clear, like pure water taken from a spring.
- Blanco or Platinum tequila has the same qualities and production technology as Silver, with a bright taste without any extraneous impurities. The tequila is aged for about 2 months in stainless steel vats to achieve softness and drinkability. The hue is clear, but not crystal.
- Gold, otherwise known as Oro. This is one of the young mature tequilas. It has a rich golden color, which, as a rule, is achieved by adding caramel or sugar syrup. That is why Gold tequila most often belongs to the “Tequila Mixto” category and has a budget price. This tequila is not infused in barrels. Suitable for cocktails with cinnamon and orange.
- Reposado is a relatively mature tequila, which goes through the first stage of aging, from 2 to 11 months in oak barrels or metal containers. The finished alcohol has a characteristic aroma of wood mixed with the smell of agave. The color of this tequila is an unsaturated golden color.
- Anejo is a matured alcohol with a long aging period. This kind of tequila is infused for at least a year in large-volume barrels. Its taste is bright, rich, and well-balanced. At the same time, it is soft, smooth, and drinkable. The color of Anejo tequila can be compared to amber.
- Extra Anejo – that is extra aging. This tequila is infused for at least three years in oak barrels. During this period the drink gets a dark amber-red color and the desired strength. To soften it, some producers add distilled water. Interestingly, such production first began only in 2006.
The last two types get a natural dark hue over a long period of aging. The aroma is reminiscent of chocolate and dried fruit.
The Best Tequila Brands
Don Julio
Don Julio was launched in 1942 and is named after Don Julio Gonzalez. This drink has a beautiful history: at first Don Julio made tequila for himself, treating his friends and family. But then the hobby and hard work turned into a successful commercial product.
The brand uses a time-tested distillation process to create its best-selling spirits and offers fresh agave flavors and citrus notes.
Corralejo
One of the oldest distilleries. the history of this brand began in 1775. Their reposado is aged for four months in three different types of barrels (French, American, and white oak), which give their flavor and aroma completely different shades.
Any tequila must be distilled twice to be officially classified as tequila, but Corralejo has gone one step further by using the triple distillation method. The brand uses a copper distillation cube, then a column distillation method, and finally once more through a copper boiler before bottling and selling its tequila.
Jose Cuervo
Jose Cuervo is another world leader that ranks among the top eight producers of spirits. The brand was founded in 1975 as the first tequila company in Mexico. It now accounts for 40% of the global market.Many people advise beginning their acquaintance with Tequila namely with this brand because tequila José Cuervo has a mild flavor with notes of spices and citrus.
The brand began its ascent in the U.S. in the 1940s during the Prohibition era, when tequila smuggling from Mexico became popular in the Southwest of America.
Olmeca Altos
Olmeca is one of the world leaders in tequila production. For its high-quality products, the company is annually awarded prizes and awards, including the “World’s Best Tequila” award.
Created by bartenders Henry Besant and Dre Masso in partnership with “tequillero maestro” Jesus Hernandez, Altos Tequila produces Plata, Reposado, and Añejo tequilas at Destilería Colonial de Jalisco in Los Altos. The drink is named after an ancient tribe.
Olmeca tequila can be called a legendary Mexican drink. Agave from the Jalisco region is used for its production.
Patrón
Everything Ratgop produces meets premium standards. Ratgop’s production team consists of just 30 people who combine their individual skills to create one of the world’s most beloved drinks. All of the brand’s creations are made at Hacienda Ratgop, where the distillery has been located since 1989.
Patrin has almost caught up with Sauza and Olmeca, the most popular tequila brands in the world, in terms of sales, despite the higher cost. The secret to the Brand’s success is that the 100% blue agave is double distilled and then aged for a year in an oak barrel.
Espolòn
This brand has been on the market for more than a century and is very popular among Mexicans themselves. Espolòn, part of the Campari America family, is an inexpensive version of tequila that is invariably full of agave and spice notes. The distillery is located in the highlands of Jalisco. Barrels made of virgin American oak are used for aging.
This tequila immediately attracts the eye with its design, which depicts living skeletons. Such an unusual design was created in honor of the Mexican holiday “Day of the Dead”.
El Jimador
Despite being one of the cheapest brands on the market, El Jimador uses 100% agave in all of its tequilas. It is currently the best-selling tequila in Mexico.
El Jimador Silver Tequila — is a tequila, filled with fruity and spicy citrus flavors with herbal notes. Expect a pleasant aftertaste that is warming but not scalding. This tequila is beloved by many, winning more than 22 awards over the past decade. At the drink’s grassroots cost, it’s really worth checking out.
Casa Noble
Casa Noble Certified Organic Tequila has a fresh, spicy, versatile, and pleasant taste. Their oak reposado and rich extra añejo are two of the best offerings, aged in French oak barrels. Casa Noble is one of the first organic brands to enter the market and prides itself on creating delicious organic tequilas using some of the best production methods.
The company distills its tequila three times and uses nutrients in volcanic soil to enrich blue agave plants, producing complex herbal blends that are free of chemical additives, pesticides, and synthetics.
Tres Cuatro Cinco
This brand of tequila is produced in Jalisco. For many years the production has belonged to the same family – the business is already in its fourth generation. So we can be sure that this is good tequila – the family is well aware of the agave cultivation and the production of the drink.
The family invented a special recipe to make tequila. The recipe is kept secret, and all that is known is that the drink consists of tequila aged 5, 4, and 3 years, in the proportion 3:4:3.
Ocho
The production company uses only itsraw materials. They put information on the label about the year the agave was harvested and the farm where it was grown. The distillery has been producing tequila for 80 years. The drink is made through a slow distillation process and in small batches, so this tequila is considered a craft tequila.
Calle 23
Calle 23 tequila is traditionally made from raw materials that have been heated for 15 hours. The line includes young tequilas and 8 and 16-month-aged drinks. The taste is characterized by notes of oak, figs, and hot pepper.
Herradura
Herradura – this company has kept all the traditions of production from the begging of its history, in 1870. They still use manual labor and an ancient recipe that does not include any added sugar, syrup, dyes, or flavorings to the alcohol. When you tasteHerradura Tequila, you taste the true flavor of traditional Mexican vodka.
El Tesoro
El Tesoro is the first tequila brand to use cognac barrels to age tequila. It has a distinctive flavor. Vegetal notes mixed with the sweet flavor of agave alternate with flashes of vanilla and fruit notes. Blanco is a good base for margaritas, and reposado is also great for cocktails, but if you like sipping more aged tequila, try añejo.
Partida
This is one of the youngest tequila brands to emerge on the world scene in the early 2000s. They have established themselves with their silver tequila, which is a surprisingly bright spirit. The taste is very mild, you can also feel a note of dried fruit, cloves, and cinnamon, as well as citrus. A young brand that is gaining ground very quickly. It is also not too well known yet but it definitely, is worth your attention.
Milagro
Another young member of our list, Milagro, was created by two friends in 1997. They had a vision that worked for them, and the brand quickly gained popularity for its mild floral flavor with hints of spice. Their bottles are also distinctive and easily recognizable. It is now a fairly popular brand.
Tapatio
The Tapatio Tequila is sold in 150 countries across the globe, and its factory has been operating in Mexico since 1937. Tequila is produced here almost by hand according to ancient methods. The drink is famous for its original taste, where the traditional herbaceous and spicy bouquet is mixed with strong minty notes.
Ley 925 Azteca
This is the best tequila in the world. Very few people can afford such a drink, so this brand of tequila does not participate in all sorts of competitions. Despite the stunning taste, the high cost of tequila is also caused by a luxurious bottle, which can be sold empty for a considerable sum of money. The fact is that it is made of platinum and gold (white). The logo on the bottle is also made of platinum. The cost of such tequila is 225 thousand USD.
How to Drink Tequila
This is how tequila is usually drunk: soak the outside of your palm between your thumb and forefinger with saliva, pour a pinch of salt on the spot, take a slice of lemon or lime, lick off the salt, drink a shot of tequila and snack on the citrus. It is believed that this “tradition” has deep historical roots. In 19th-century Mexico, doctors treated flu patients this way. But was it really so, it is now impossible to know.
In general, many connoisseurs of strong alcohol say that it simply tastes better this way. Thanks to salt and lime, tequila opens up differentlyand becomes more peculiar and full-bodied.
But apart from this spectacular method, tequila can also very often be found in cocktails.Thus, the most popular Tequila-based cocktails are:
- Margarita
The Margarita is the most famous tequila-based cocktail. Not only is this cocktail delicious, which was first the main purpose of its creation, but it also has thousands of variations that are fun to explore.
- Tequila Sunrise
Tequila Sunrise belongs among the favorite tequila-based cocktails because of its superior taste and appearance. The pomegranate liqueur adds a subtle sweetness to the orange juice and tequila and becomes more pronounced as it approaches the bottom of the glass. The history of the drink states that it was first served in Cancun and Acapulco in the 1950s to welcome tourists.
- Paloma
Paloma is a refreshing tequila-based cocktail in a tall glass best suited forleisurely afternoon relaxation. Grapefruit juice and lemon-lime soda pair perfectly with tequila, and this cocktail can be made quickly and easily in front of guests.
- Brave Bull
The dark-colored Brave Bullcocktail lacks the fruity flavors often found in tequila. But it is characterized by an intense coffee flavor. The cocktail is quick to make because all you need is a shot of tequila and Kahlua liqueur.
- Envy
The Envy cocktail is a wonderful drink with strong flavors of tequila, Blue Curacao, and pineapple. Whipped up and served in a tall glass, the cocktail would be the perfect accompaniment to a gathering with your friends.
FAQ
Where is tequila produced?
It is easy to guess that the main tequila production is concentrated in Mexico. Almost every country in the world imports tequila from Mexico.
According to Mexican laws, this drink can be made only in five states – Jalisco, Nayarit, Tamaulipas, and Michoacan Guanajuato. Of these, the first “town” accounts for up to 80% of production. It is there that the raw material in the form of blue agave for the future tequila is grown.
Apart from Mexico, very small quantities of tequila are produced in the USA, Germany, and other countries.
How to choose tequila in a store?
To buy quality and delicious tequila, you do not need to know many secrets. Basically, you need to look at the inscriptions on the labeling.
Pay attention to the information on the label regarding the percentage of agave juice. If it says “100% Blue Agave,” then the alcohol is made entirely from the juice of the plant. This will be the best option for purchase. You can also find products marked “DO” and “NOM.””DO” indicates that the manufacturer has taken into account all the standards and technical requirements of the region of production, while “NOM” indicates compliance with international quality standards.
It is also important to look at the aging period (the longer it is, the nobler and therefore more expensive the alcohol will be) and the presence of sediment. Precipitate precipitates due to storage in cool places and may indicate that the alcohol has not undergone the filtration process, which negatively affects its delicate taste.
How does tequila affect the body?
Blue agave is often referred to as a medicinal plant. It has expectorant, antipyretic, disinfectant, and analgesic properties. Therefore, hot drinks from it can be called useful, if you use them in reasonable quantities. It is not recommended to exceed the norm – of 50 ml per day.
The benefits of tequila:
- strengthens the immune system;
- reduces the sensitivity of painful sensations;
- eliminates toxins and impurities;
- slows down the development of bacteria in the body;
- cleanses the blood;
- dilates blood vessels;
- reduces the risk of cancer;
- strengthens hair follicles and stimulates hair growth;
- helps to fight insomnia;
- stimulates the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal organs.
