The Ultimate Guide to Tequila

Introduction

• The history of tequila
• Why tequila is a popular spirit worldwide
• Types of Tequila
• Tequila Additives
• Tequila Diffusers
• Purpose of the guide

The History of Tequila

Tequila has been around since at least the 16th century. 

Different countries around the world have all developed unique methods of distilling alcohol. From Scotland's Scotch whisky, to France's cognac and Russia & Scandinavia’s vodka, each nation has its own ageless tradition for crafting distinct drinks that characterize its culture. In the 16th century, Mexico distilled the humble agave plant into the internationally beloved spirits tequila & mezcal. 

Since then, tequila has become one of the world's most popular spirits, with hundreds of brands available in bars and liquor stores across the globe. In this guide, we'll discuss why tequila is so popular and some interesting facts about its history.

Tequila originated in Mexico and has been produced there since at least the 16th century. The name comes from the city of Tequila, located in the Mexican state of Jalisco — home to many of today's most famous tequila producers. The spirit is made from blue agave plants that are grown and cultivated in specific regions of Mexico (mainly Jalisco). After harvesting, they are cooked and mashed into pulp before they can be fermented and distilled into alcohol.

Today, tequila is one of the most popular spirits around the world. In 2019 alone, over 250 million liters were consumed globally — making it one of the top-selling spirits on the market. Its popularity can be attributed to its unique flavor profile (often compared to whiskey or rum) and its versatility when mixing cocktails and other drinks. There are also many different types of tequilas available for every taste — from blanco (unaged) to extra añejo (extra-aged).

 

Types of Tequila

• Blanco/Plata/Silver
• Reposado
• Añejo
• Extra Añejo
• Cristalino 
• Differences between tequila and mezcal

 

From blanco, plata, or silver, to anejo and extra anejo, tequila provides something for everyone. For those looking for an intense experience without any maturation process, blanco is perfect (particularly overproof examples (like this Tapatio 110). As it is bottled shortly after distillation, blanco has a strong flavor and clear color. Plata (silver) is blanco but with a light aging process of under three months, which mellows its flavor while maintaining its clear color. For those looking for a more flavorful tequila that has been aged in wooden barrels, anejo, and extra anejo can provide the right type of complexity. While on the other hand, if you are looking for something in between blanco and anejo, cristalino tequila may be the right option! Cristalino is a fairly new classification that has been aged in wood barrels yet filtered to give the spirit a softer character than anejo while adding some sweet accents to blanco's raw flavor. Tequila truly has something to offer for every palette

 

What’s the difference between tequila and mezcal?

 

All Tequila is mezcal, but not all mezcal is Tequila, just like how all Bourbons are whiskey, not all whiskey is Bourbon. Tequila and mezcal are often confused, and while both are spirits made from the agave plant, there are some differences between them. Tequila is traditionally produced in limited regions in the Mexican state of Jalisco, while mezcal can be produced across Mexico outside of Jalisco. Tequila must contain 51 percent blue agave to be labeled tequila, whereas mezcal is made from any agave and often has a smokier flavor as the agave hearts are roasted over an open flame prior to fermentation. From Mexico's majestic agave plants, an array of spirited sips arise. Mezcal is a catch-all term for any spirit made from these succulent beauties - and tequila stands as the crown jewel, crafted only with one type - blue Weber or Blue Agave. With roughly 30 species to choose from, each sip will offer its unique flavor and make for excellent sipping spirits that should not be missed. 

Tequila Production: Step-by-step

• Harvesting
• Baking
• Extraction
• Fermentation
• Distillation
• Aging
• Additives & Diffusers

The Production Process

• Blue Weber Agave Farming, harvesting and cooking

Blue Weber Agave is an integral part of tequila-making. The farming, harvesting and cooking process all require a unique blend of skill, patience and precision to ensure the tequila adheres to strict quality standards. The entire process includes planting fields with agave plants, then waiting anywhere from 7 to 10 years (depending on the varietal) for the plant to fully develop until it can be harvested. After harvesting, the blue agave's heart (piña) must be cooked before it is ready to ferment. An expert tequila producer knows that delicate balance between heat and time – which can vary depending on the tequila – is key in achieving tequila mas fino.

 

• Fermentation and distillation

Tequila fermentation and distillation is an art that has been perfected over the centuries. The tequila itself is made from fermenting a sugar-rich liquid derived from the liquid sugars found in agave plants. This agave sap, known as "aguamiel" when fermented, contains esters and complex flavors. 

 

Some tequila producers use diffusers (or “difusor-” more on that later) to extract sugars from the tequila that are then converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The diffuser also extracts volatile compounds, which add complex aromas and flavors to tequila. Once fermentation is complete, the tequila is distilled to further separate different types of molecules in tequila and increase its alcohol content. Finally, it is filtered and (sometimes) aged before bottling. Tequila production is often characterized by regional taste variances influenced by these small details.

 

• Aging process

 

Different distilleries employ different techniques for aging their tequila, but the general process consists of resting in oak barrels for a period of two months up to five years, depending on the desired type or blend. During this time, the interaction between the wood and spirit deepens with oxygenation that helps to mellow and enhance its flavors as it ages. From light-bodied and clear blanco, to body-filled golden reposado, to rich and oaky añejo – each type of tequila has distinct characteristics created through the aging process. The longer a tequila is aged in oak barrels, the deeper its flavor will become due to natural oxidation reactions and evaporation, which eliminates undesired sensitivities in taste while deepening colors- to a certain extent. 

 

• Regulations and Additives- Difusor

Tequila regulations are strict. Any Tequila labeled as “100% agave” is required to use 100% blue agave plants to create their tequila. While not commonly known, in some cases it’s possible for additives to be used when making tequila. While the law doesn’t dictate what can and cannot be used as additives, most reputable brand-name tequilas do not contain any unnatural preservatives or sweeteners. Surprisingly to most consumers, many major brands do add natural sweeteners of some sort. If the tequila you’re drinking strongly tastes like caramel, vanilla, and chocolate- it’s very possible those were added by the distillery. 

What Tequila brands are not using additives?

Codigo 1530

Volans 

Tequila Tapatio (La Alteña) NOM 1139

Valor

Fuenteseca

Tequila Ocho

Shop all of our additive-free Tequilas here

 

What is a Tequila Diffuser/Diffusor/Difusor?  

Tequila production is an intricate process that begins with carefully selecting ripe agave piñas cooked to release their natural sugars. These sugary extracts then undergo a fermentation period through tanks or vats in order to create Tequila's unique flavor profile.

 

Using a diffuser (also called “diffusor” or “difusor” is the faster and cheaper way to produce tequila. The diffusor process is a method of creating tequila that uses indirect diffusion to convert blue agave plants into fermentable mash. Instead of cooking first and then separating the sugars from the fibers, the diffuser extracts the starches first with high-pressure water. In some cases, the agaves are soaked in an acid bath that converts the starches/fructans into fermentable sugars instead of traditional cooking using heat. Some distilleries use autoclaves to cook the extracts from the diffuser, converting it to sugar. 

 

So, what brands are made using a diffuser? 

With the use of diffusors becoming nearly ubiquitous, a much better question would be “what brands are NOT using a diffusor.” 

 

https://flaskfinewines.com/collections/non-diffuser-tequilas

 

Tasting and Pairing Tequila

• How to properly taste tequila
• Common tasting notes for each type of tequila
• Foods that pair well with different types of tequila
• Overview of popular tequila distillery tours in Mexico

Tequila Tasting and Pairing 101

 Tequila tasting is similar to wine and whisk(e)y tasting. Look at the color of the tequila, then gently swirl it around in the glass. Spend a few minutes and take a few deep breaths and inhale its aroma before taking a small sip. Swirl it around in your mouth, pay attention to its flavor profile, and savor its taste on your tongue before swallowing it down. 

 

When tasting tequila, there are five main categories of flavors to look for: agave notes (sweet), floral notes (light and floral aromas), herbal/spicy notes (earthy and spicy), citrus notes (citrusy), and wood notes (woody). Depending on the type of tequila you’re drinking, these flavors can be more subtle or more dominant. For example, lighter blanco tequilas tend to be sharper with strong agave flavors while darker reposado or añejo tequilas may have stronger wood notes from their aging process.  

Pairing Tequila 

Tequila pairs well with food because its flavor profile is so versatile. Since agave has sweet undertones, try pairing your favorite blanco or reposado with something salty like chips or guacamole. If your preference tends toward añejos that are aged longer in oak barrels, those may pair better with sweeter dishes like desserts or fruit-based appetizers. You can also mix up some fun cocktails for any occasion - just check out some of our favorite tequila cocktail recipes.

 

Best Tequila Tours

• Casa Herradura

• Tequila Don Julio

• Jose Cuervo La Rojeña

• Casa Dragones

• Clase Azul La Terraza & El Bar, Los Cabos

• El Bar

Casa Herradura - Located in the town of Amatitán, Jalisco, Casa Herradura offers a variety of tours that take visitors through its historic distillery and barrel aging facilities. The tour includes tastings of several different types of tequilas and mezcal.

Tequila Don Julio - This iconic tequila brand offers tours at its distillery located in Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco. Visitors can learn about the history and production methods used to create their premium tequilas while enjoying tastings and cocktails.

Jose Cuervo La Rojeña - One of the oldest distilleries in Mexico, La Rojeña is located in the town of Tequila, Jalisco and offers several different tour options including a VIP experience that includes a private tasting with a master tequilero.

Casa Dragones - This boutique distillery located in San Miguel de Allende offers an exclusive tour experience where visitors can taste their ultra-premium Joven tequila paired with gourmet food prepared by local chefs.

Clase Azul La Terraza & El Bar, Los Cabos - This restaurant features cuisine created by Clase Azul México gastronomic team led by Creative Chef Iván Arias, whose concept arises from a desire to tell stories about La Baja through the creation of unique culinary delights. 

El Bar offers unique cocktails based Clase Azul's icons. Curated by Beverage Strategist Sheila Zenteno, the innovative selection of drinks served at El Bar explores Class Azul distillates and highlights their exquisite flavor through a careful blend of ingredients inspired by delicacies typical of the Baja region as well as cocktail bar staples. 

 

Flask Wines & Spirits Tequila BrandRecommendations

• Popular brands in the market and their unique qualities- link to collection here

• Suggestions based on budget and personal preferences

So what should I try? 

List of our favorites here;

 

Cascahuin Tahona Blanco Tequila

Tears of Llorona Extra Anejo Tequila 1 Liter

Tapatio Blanco Tequila 80 proof

Codigo Anejo Tequila 750ml

Tequila Ocho Reposado

Tequila Juegos Mexicanos District 9 Ultras Blanco Batch 2

 

• Celebrity owned Tequila brands

The flashy world of celebrity-owned tequila brands is hard to forget. After the tremendous success of George Clooney and Rande Gerber's Casamigos, it seems like every actor and musician wants to have their own brand of tequila. Many have jumped into the tequila business, but not all of them have been equally successful.

818 Tequila- Kendall Jenner

Teremana- Dwayne Johnson

Gran Coramino- Kevin Hart

Cincoro- Michael Jordan with co founders Wyc Grousbeck, Emilia Fazzalari, Jeanie Buss, and Wes Edens

Conclusion

Diving into the world of tequila is embarking on a flavorful adventure. With it's its rich history, diverse types, and unique production methods, this versatile spirit has something for everyone. Whether you prefer a bold blanco or a rich, oaky añejo, we're confident you'll find your new favorite Tequila here at Flask