Agave. Oak. Tradition.
For many people, tequila means salt, lime and a quick shot late in the evening.
But good tequila deserves far more respect than that.
It is a spirit made from a plant that takes years to grow, in a landscape with a long tradition, by people who care deeply about what ends up in the bottle.
Once you sip it slowly, tequila becomes a completely different drink.
What Is Tequila Made From?
Tequila is made from the blue agave plant, Agave tequilana Weber, blue variety.
Agave is not a cactus, although it is often mistaken for one.
It is a succulent with spiky blue-green leaves.
The plant needs years to mature before it is ready to harvest.
That patience is the first ingredient in every bottle.
Where Is Tequila Made?
Tequila is a protected designation of origin from Mexico.
It can only be produced in the state of Jalisco and in specific designated areas of a few other Mexican states.
The town of Tequila in Jalisco gave the spirit its name.
The landscape of blue agave fields around it is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
From Field to Bottle
When the agave is ready, skilled harvesters called jimadores cut away the leaves to reveal the heart of the plant, known as the piña.
The piñas are cooked, which turns their starches into fermentable sugars.
They are then crushed to extract the sweet juice.
The juice is fermented and then distilled, usually twice.
Each of these steps, from how the agave is cooked to the type of still, shapes the character of the finished tequila.
100% Agave or Not?
This is one of the most useful things to check on a tequila label.
Tequila labelled 100% agave is made using only sugars from blue agave.
Tequila without that statement may contain sugars from other sources, as long as at least 51% come from agave.
Both are legally tequila.
But if you want to taste the agave at its fullest, 100% agave is the place to look.
Blanco, Reposado and Añejo
Tequila is also classed by how it is aged.
Blanco, sometimes called Silver or Plata, is unaged or rested only briefly. It shows the purest agave character: peppery, herbal, citrus and fresh.
Reposado means rested. It is aged in oak for at least two months, gaining a softer texture and gentle notes of vanilla and spice.
Añejo means aged. It spends at least one year in oak containers, becoming richer, rounder and more complex.
Extra Añejo is aged for at least three years and is made for slow sipping.
What Does Tequila Taste Like?
Young tequila often shows cooked agave, black pepper, citrus, herbs and a slightly earthy or mineral note.
With time in oak, flavours of vanilla, caramel, toasted wood and dried fruit can appear.
The best tequilas keep the agave character even after ageing.
That balance between plant and barrel is what makes great tequila so interesting.
And Mezcal?
Mezcal is a related but separate spirit.
It can be made from many different types of agave and comes mainly from other regions of Mexico, especially Oaxaca.
Traditional mezcal often has a smoky character from roasting the agave in earth pits.
Tequila and mezcal are cousins, not twins.
How Should You Drink Tequila?
Try a good 100% agave tequila slowly, in a small glass, the same way you might taste a whisky.
Let it breathe for a moment.
Take a small sip and notice the agave, the pepper and the finish.
Reposado and Añejo are particularly good for sipping.
If you enjoy it with ice, enjoy it with ice.
The Margarita and Friends
The Margarita is the most famous tequila cocktail: tequila, fresh lime juice and orange liqueur, often served with a salted rim.
The Paloma, popular in Mexico, mixes tequila with grapefruit soda and lime for something long and refreshing.
And a Tequila and Tonic, with plenty of ice and a lime wedge, is a simple pleasure.
Blanco tequila is usually the best choice for bright, citrus-led drinks.
Tequila and Food
Tequila is a natural partner for Mexican food, from tacos to grilled fish.
Blanco works well with ceviche, seafood and fresh salsa.
Reposado matches grilled meats and spicy dishes.
Añejo can be lovely with dark chocolate or a strong coffee.
Choosing Your Tequila
For cocktails, choose a good Blanco.
For a smoother, everyday sipper, try a Reposado.
For something rich and special, explore Añejo.
And whenever you want the purest expression of the plant, look for 100% agave on the label.
More Than a Shot
Tequila is a spirit made from a plant that takes years to grow.
It carries the soil, the sun and the hands that harvested it.
That alone is a good reason to slow down and enjoy it properly.
Salud.
Explore Tequila at EU Cellar
From fresh Blanco for Margaritas to smooth Reposado and rich Añejo for sipping, discover the world of tequila.
Explore different houses and ages and find the tequila that deserves a slower sip.
Shop the Bottles
- Casamigos Blanco Tequila 700ml
- Sierra Tequila Blanco 700ml
- José Cuervo Especial Reposado Tequila 700ml
- Herencia de Plata Reposado Tequila 100% Agave 700ml
- 1800 Reserva Añejo Tequila 100% Agave 700ml
- Casamigos Añejo Tequila 700ml
Shop all tequila | Rum, tequila and cachaça
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