Tequila is utterly thriving at the moment. This Mexican spirit has seen a massive increase in popularity in the last few years, and for good reason. People all over the world are drinking more tequila for a whole host of reasons. Whatever your reason for drinking tequila, we know it will satisfy your desires every single time.
We are here to offer you a complete guide on everything you need to know about tequila. We will cover how tequila is made, including some interesting information on the classification of tequila, some of the ancient production methods, and more. If you think you know about tequila we are here to supplement that information.
We will endeavor to spend some time revealing the proper techniques for tasting tequila. This spirit more than any other is prone to being wasted by being drunk in an instant in shot form. It is commonly included in some amazing cocktails, which we love, but there is much more to enjoy within tequila than these two forms.
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Tequila Production and Specification
Tequila is a Mexican spirit made from the agave plant. More specifically, Tequila is made from Blue Weber agave, a cactus indigenous to Mexico. Tequila can only be made from Blue Weber agave grown in four states in Mexico: Jalisco, Colima, Nayarit, and Aguascalientes.
Tequila is generally sold at around 70-80 proof. It is one of those spirits that is generally enjoyed very simply. It is probably the most common shot around the world, being consumed quickly from a single serving glass over the bar in many countries. Other than this, it is often served on the rocks, in a cocktail, most commonly the margarita.
A brief outline of the production process starts with the harvesting of agave. The piña, or heart, of the agave is then roasted before being mashed and allowed to ferment. The fermented agave is then distilled into a clear liquid and is either bottled, producing a blanco or silver tequila, or it is added to oak barrels and allowed to age.
To achieve the certification of a Tequila, there are several rules you must adhere to:
- The liquid must be made of a minimum of 51% blue Weber agave. The other 49% can be additives like sugar etc. The ones worth paying for are 100% agave and advertise this feature on the bottle.
- The Blue Weber agaves must be between 7-9 years in age. They can grow up to 2 meters in this time!
- The agave is grown exclusively in one of these 4 states in Mexico: Jalisco, Colima, Nayarit, and Aguascalientes.
- The labeling of the bottle must clearly state the following categories: Name of Brand, ‘Tequila’, the category (100% agave or otherwise), Net Volume and ABV, and the NOM number. The batch number, name of the distillery, and description of origin (specifically ‘Hecho en Mexico’) must be found on the back of the bottle.
Drinking Apparatus
Tequila probably has the most nuance when it comes to drinking technique. We all know that wine requires a specific drinking method to get the full tasting experience. Swirling the liquid around a specific glass shape before looking at it, smelling it, taking a sip, and then swooshing it around your mouth. As previously mentioned, tequila is often simply drunk in a shot glass in one mouthful which isn’t great for tasting!
There aren’t specific must-haves when it comes to tasting tequila, but there are a couple of recommendations. You can use either a snifter or a tumbler. A snifter is a thin wine glass, designed to constrict the amount of air that escapes – designed for maximum aromatic ingestion. The other is the tumbler which is normally fine for tequila.
Tequila is rarely aged for more than a year so it does not always need to be aerated in the same way that whiskey or wine are, so decanting is not necessary. Use either one of these drinking apparatus to get the best results.
Tasting Technique
The technique honestly depends on the type of tequila. There are three main types of tequila – Blanco, Reposado, and Anejo. There are other kinds including Cristalino, Extra Anejo, and Silver which is just a pseudonym for Blanco. The Blanco is a more raw, unaged expression that is delicious but can sometimes be slightly harsher. The Reposado is slightly aged and the anejo is aged for around one year.
The tasting technique will depend on the type and the quality of the tequila. A high-quality anejo might require some aeration and will want to be drunk neat or with a single cube of ice. Reposado is commonly drunk over ice, with lower-quality expressions often containing a squeeze of lime. Blanco tequila is commonly drunk with both ice and lime.
The addition of lime might seem like it is ruining a refined product but this is part of the Mexican culture. Tequila was made to be enjoyed with lime as their most commonly used seasoning. We recommend having a quick swirl of the glass, smelling the tequila lightly, before sipping your tequila and making the judgment for yourself.
Evaluation
Tequila is an interesting paradox as there is an incredibly strict production/classification process, but a rather relaxed consumption process. As all tequila comes from the same region of the world there is not as big an industry on tasting for distinction as there is in wine. We recommend taking your time over drinking and enjoying your tequila, whatever your method.
Pairing and Cocktails
You can get creative with your pairing ideas but we really recommend following the Mexican approach. The often pair tequila with simple flavors. Take the taco for example. Enjoy some nicely charred meat with warm tortilla with a bit of spicy salsa, accompanied by a lovely glass of tequila. This works really well with substitutes like roasted chicken, jerk chicken, pot roast, and more.
When it comes to cocktails, you can never go wrong with a Margarita. Add any other fruit like mango, passionfruit, or blackberry puree to add some extra depth if desired. Otherwise, enjoy a perfect cocktail.
We hope you have enjoyed reading about our ultimate guide on tequila tasting. Comment below your favorite tequila variety and why that is! Share this with your friends and get drinking tequila with your improved knowledge!
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This post brought to you by Shahzad Ali
Photo: iStock
