What is Tequila?
Tequila refers to distilled spirit made from the agave plant, which takes about ten years to grow before they are ready to be harvested. It is only produced in designated areas of Mexico. Additionally, tequila has become one of the most popular liquors in the world even though it is mostly consumed in Mexico and the United States. Tequila treats are familiar with friends and colleagues. Thus, making it necessary to know what makes a good one.
What Makes a Good Tequila?
Most of the tequila consumed in the United States is adulterated tequila, which is usually not so good taste-wise, and gives terrible hangovers should you have too much. To know what makes a good tequila watch out for the following:
Quality of Tequila – Do not confuse color for quality. Sometimes mixologists confuse their clients with color for good quality tequila, not knowing that the coloring additives can make bad tequila look aged.
Percentage of Blue Agave in Tequila – when selecting a brand of tequila for the occasion, ensure it is 100 percent blue agave. Such a pure brand of tequila treat for you and your friends is void of the next morning’s hangovers. Furthermore, it tastes excellent especially if made by someone with mixology 101 expertise.
Preferred Style of Tequila – knowing what style of tequila works for you will help you in ordering the right one. According to mixology 101, there are four standard varieties of tequila, for instance;
- Blanco, is the ‘purest’ form, from the stills. It has a fruity flavor and can have that tequila ‘bite’. It is a perfect option for cocktails and mixed drinks.
- Reposado is aged tequila. It stays for between two months to a year in oak barrels giving it a slight gold hue. However, it does not bite and drinking is much smoother.
- Anejo just like Reposado is aged as well and has stayed for at least one year in the oak barrels. Different brands take this type of tequila and customize it to their liking.
- Extra Anejo is the rarest of all. It stays for at least three years; in addition, they vary wildly based on the barrels used. They tend to be the most prized in the market.
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Best Tequila on Offer
El Destilador Blanco
It is hard to find good quality, 100% blue agave silver tequila with a price tag that does not make your credit card weep. However, El Destilador fits the ‘not too high’ bill as it goes for at least $15. It is neither too sweet nor too harsh. Its rich agave notes stand out to other components characteristically tasted in cocktails, hence allowing the tequila treat for you and your colleagues to shine without overpowering everything else.
Espolon Blanco
Espolon Blanco tequila is soft and balanced with a smooth mouthfeel and fresh bouquet. Espolon Blanco is slightly fruity with hints of pineapple and mild pepper. Moreover, it is one of the best tequilas for margarita and goes for $25. Espolon Blanco tequila has enough flavor that intrigues when sipped neat or on the rocks.
Cazadores Tequila Reposado
Cazadores tequila reposado produced in the Mexican community of Arandas is made with 100% blue agave, which stays up to a year in American oak barrels. Its final product presented to the market contains fresh agave flavors mingling with vanilla and woody notes. Cazadores, which go for $19.99, is perfect as chilled sipping tequila or mixed with a lemon-lime soda according to mixology 101 standards.
Jose Cuervo Tradicional
This type of tequila has an herbal nose with notes of sage and pine. Jose Cuervo’s Tradicional Plata (silver) flavors are earthy and sweet, with a savory, peppery finish. Furthermore, it is a light and smooth tequila that shows great potential as an affordable mixer. It goes for an average price of $19.
Final Word
Just as the French law states that champagne is only made in the Champagne region of France using specific ingredients and methods, so do Mexican laws decide what is and is not tequila. When you choose to go out for tequila, note that some are perfect for sipping straight and others that are only appropriate in a mix.