Tequila has a reputation and not always a fair one. For many people, it brings back memories of harsh shots and regretful mornings. But quality tequila is far more refined and complex than its party-night stereotype suggests. Visit your local liquor store and look for some high quality, smooth tequila, which can be sipped, mixed or paired with food.
Tequila is a mezcal distilled spirit born in the Jaliscan Valley in Mexico. This spirit is made from a single sub-varietal of agave commonly referred to as blue agave. From crisp, unaged blancos to rich, barrel-aged extra-añejos, tequila offers surprising depth and variety. Understanding how it’s made and how each style differs can completely change how you experience it.
This article explores the unique tequila varieties and how to pour and enjoy this tasty Mexican spirit.
Tequila Varieties
Tequila is made from either 100% agave – the traditional, better kind with a single source of sugar and alcohol, or “mixto” tequila, which is infused with other types of sugar. All tequilas fall into one of these five categories:
Blanco
Also known as silver, white or “plata”, tequila blanco is recognized by its clear colour. This tequila is bottled soon after it’s distilled, spending no longer than 60 days in stainless steel or oak tanks. Tequila blanco is generally regarded as the purest form of the tequila making tradition, produced to a high quality and sold at reasonable prices.
Reposado
As Reposado means, this type of tequila is aged in oak casks or tanks for at least two months but often longer. The vanilla and caramel notes from the oak vessel seep into the tequila, giving it an extra dimension of flavour. Pouring a light straw colour, tequila reposado is best enjoyed straight or in a fancy cocktail.
Gold
Also known as “oro” or “joven” (young), gold tequila is made from a base of tequila blanco plus flavour and colour additives. The inexpensive kind is “mixto”, with caramel flavours and other additives, while the better stuff is just blanco mixed with any other class of tequila.
Añejo
Añejo is old tequila, aged in French oak or bourbon barrels smaller than 600 litres for at least one year. These tequilas gain the oaky undertone flavours from the barrel to produce a smooth yet complex finish.
Extra-añejo
Born as recently as 2006, these tequilas are ultra-aged for a minimum of three years in oak barrels. These oak flavours take over in extra-añejo tequila, creating a flavour profile similar to well-aged whiskies. This is also some of the most expensive tequila you’ll find.
How to Enjoy Tequila
Tequila is one of the more versatile options on the market for distilled spirits. Drinking it straight, mixing it into cocktails – even cooking with tequila is a viable way of enjoying this Mexican spirit.
Drinking it Straight
For tequila aficionados, drinking it straight is a common way to enjoy 100% agave tequila because it allows for a better appreciation of the flavour profile. Aged tequila is ideal for sipping straight and is best enjoyed at room temperature. But you can also enjoy blanco or younger reposado straight with a slight chill.
Another method of drinking straight tequila is the famous tequila shot. More often than not, when you ask for a tequila shot at a bar, you’re getting blanco tequila. A little salt and lime go well in this case to cut the edge a little.
Mixing into Cocktails
Any and all tequilas work incredibly well for mixing into tequila cocktails. Most often, it’ll be blancos or reposados used in cocktails. The most famous and beloved tequila cocktail is the margarita in the original lime flavour, although almost any kind of fruit can be infused to make a flavoured margarita. Other notable tequila cocktails include the Paloma, Ranch Water, Tequila Sunrise, Chimayo and Oaxaca Old Fashioned.
Cooking with Tequila & Pairing with Food
Tequila can be your friend in the kitchen too. Different kinds of tequila are often used in salsas and marinades – just be aware if you have kids as the alcohol isn’t being cooked down. You can also cook with tequila in numerous Mexican-style or Caribbean dishes, as the flavours from the tequila pair well with spicy flavours like chili peppers.
Tequila Brands
There are a dizzying number of tequila brands on the market, with some data estimating over 3,000 different brands. But the supply and production are limited, which means just 150-200 authorized distilleries in Mexico produce tequila for a number of brands each.
Here are some of the largest tequila distilleries and the brands they produce:
- Casa Maestri
- Makes 128+ brands including Reserva de MFM, Doña Celia Tequila, Villa Lobos, TUYO Tequila, and Santera Tequila
- Becle
- Makes 30+ brands including Jose Cuervo, 1800 Tequila, Maestro Dobel, Gran Centenario, and Creyente.
- Casa Sauza
- Makes 20+ brands including Sauza, Hornitos, Tres Generaciones, and El Tesoro.
- Grupo Tequilero Mexico
- Makes 7+ brands including Tequila Casa Real, Tequila Casa Vieja, Tequila Ranchero Premium, and Tequila Tierra Brava.
- Casa Herradura
- Makes numerous brands including Herradura, El Jimador, and Pepe Lopez.
- Casa Orendian
- Makes numerous brands including Tequila Gran Orendian, Tequila Ollitas and Batanga.
Looking for a bottle of tequila? Visit any one of Springs Group’s liquor stores across the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island for expert guidance. Find a liquor store near you, and check out these 6 tequila cocktails to get the party started!
