Tequila

TYPES OF TEQUILAS

Tequila is the distilled spirit of the heart of the agave (ah-GAH-vay) plant — a spiky succulent of the lily family, not a cactus. To make tequila, the heart, or pina, of the agave is steamed in huge ovens, and the resulting sweet juice is fermented and distilled. Tequila can only be produced in Mexico, in the Tequila Region (one of five north central Mexican states: Jalisco, Guanjuato, Michoacan, Nayarit, or Tamaulipas), and must comply with strict Mexican government regulations. It also must be distilled twice. In order to satisfy an ever-growing demand and a multitude of consumer’s preferences and tastes, tequila is produced in two general categories and four different types in three of those categories.

The two categories are defined by the percentage of juices coming from the blue agave:

Tequila 100% Agave
Must be made with 100% blue agave juices and must be bottled at the distillery in Mexico. It may be Blanco, Reposado, or Añejo.

Tequila
Must be made with at least 51% blue agave juices. This tequila may be exported in bulk to be bottled in other countries following the NOM standard. It may be Blanco, Gold, Reposado, or Añejo
The NOM standard defines four types of tequila:
Blanco or Silver
This is the traditional tequila that started it all. Clear and transparent, fresh from the still tequila is called Blanco (white or silver) and must be bottled immediately after the distillation process. It has the true bouquet and flavor of the blue agave. It is usually strong and is traditionally enjoyed in a “caballito” (2 oz small glass).

Oro or Gold
Is tequila Blanco mellowed by the addition of colorants and flavorings, caramel being the most common. It is the tequila of choice for frozen Margaritas.

Reposado or Rested
It is Blanco that has been kept (or rested) in white oak casks or vats called “pipones” for more than two months and up to one year. The oak barrels give Reposado a mellowed taste, pleasing bouquet, and its pale color. Reposado keeps the blue agave taste and is gentler to the palate. These tequilas have experienced exponential demand and high prices.

Añejo or Aged
It is Blanco tequila aged in white oak casks for more than a year. Maximum capacity of the casks should not exceed 600 liters (159 gallons). The amber color and woody flavor are picked up from the oak, and the oxidation that takes place through the porous wood develops the unique bouquet and taste.
Reserva, Although not a category in itself, it is a special Añejo that certain distillers keep in oak casks for up to 8 years. Reserva enters the big leagues of liquor both in taste and in price.

What is this thing called mezcal?
Mezcal, the form of tequila from southern Mexico, hasn’t changed much since the Spanish introduced the still to Mexico in 1520. Unlike tequila, which must be made from a specific plant and is produced by large industrial companies, mezcal can be made from several types of agave and is still being made in small batches by tiny distillers. The resulting drink is more rough-hewn and less uniform than tequila. One premium brand is Encantado. The worm, or gusano, found on the bottle’s bottom, is not a worm at all, but a caterpillar. Once, locals may have believed that the gusano was imbued with magical powers. But today, it is merely thought to sell more bottles of mezcal.
Popular Tequilas

Tequila Blanco:

  • Juarez Silver- $16, 80 proof
  • Sauza Silver- $17, 80 proof
  • Margaritaville White- $20, 80 proof
  • 1800 Silver- $26, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Cabo Wabo Blanco- $44, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • El Tesoro Silver- $48, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Oro Azul Blanco- $48, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Don Eduardo Silver- $50, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Tezon Blanco- $50, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Trago Silver- $50, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Chinaco Blanco- $58, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Patron Silver- $58, 80 proof, 100% agave

Tequila Gold:

  • Two Fingers Gold- $14, 80 proof
  • Sauza Extra Gold- $16, 80 proof
  • Montezuma Gold- $18, 80 proof
  • Jose Cuervo Especial Gold- $19, 80 proof
  • Pepe Lopez Gold- $20, 80 proof
  • Margaritaville Gold- $20, 80 proof
  • Herradura Gold Reposado- $40, 80 proof
  • Zafarrancho Gold- $42, 80 proof
  • Chinaco Reposado Artisan Gold- $54, 80 proof
  • Los Azulejos Gold- $54, 80 proof

Tequila Reposado:

  • El Ultimo Agave Reposado- $26, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • 1800 Reposado- $29, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Mapilli Reposado- $37, 80 proof
  • El Tesoro Reposado- $41, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Cabo Wabo Reposado- $50, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Patron Reposado- $56, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • 7 Leguas Reposado- $57, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Trago Reposado- $60, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Casa Noble Reposado- $63, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Tezon Reposado- $64, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Dona Carlota Reposado- $80, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Clase Azul Reposado- $114, 80 proof, 100% agave

Tequila Añejo :

  • 1800 Añejo- $38, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Sauza Tres Generaciones Añejo- $44, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Don Eduardo Añejo- $63, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Patron Añejo- $65, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Chinaco Añejo- $67, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Tezon Añejo- $70, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Trago Añejo- $70, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Mi Tierra Añejo- $75, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Cabo Wabo Añejo- $84, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Casa Noble Extra Aged Añejo- $105, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Cuervo La Reserva- $138, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Rey Sol- $328, 80 proof, 100% agave

Mezcal:

  • Talapa Reposado- $27, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Monte Alban- $30, 80 proof
  • Scorpion Añejo- $44, 80 proof, 100% agave
  • Embajador 5 year- $68, 80 proof
  • Del Maguey- $75, 80 proof

Chubby’s Recommendations: maybe you can put a pic of each one beside the description

Cazadores Añejo – For about $30 (here in Mexico), it is my favorite tequila for price and taste. 100% Blue Agave, aged no less than 12 months, in new, small, American white oak barrels.

The authentic, smooth flavour is best enjoyed as a sipping tequila. The flavour of Cazadores tequila reflects its excellence. It glides smoothly over the most demanding palates and delights the most refined tastes. The consistency of their product is one of its most important qualities. Cazadores tequila is the liquor of Mexico. It has a special aroma and well-defined taste that makes it a favorite among connoisseurs.

Josh’s pick:

Sauza Hornitos - For about $18 (here in Mexico), this has been Josh’s favorite since he arrived here in Cancun in 2003. In fact, he had had one of those famous “tequila incidents” back in the mid-90s and swore off tequila until he we persuaded to try a shot of this one night. He has bben hooked ever since.

Sangrita
The traditional Mexican “side” that is usually served chilled with a shot of Tequila

Sangrita is traditionally blended using tomatoes, orange juice, fresh lime juice, onions, salt and hot chili peppers. Born in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, sangrita was created to quench the fire of homemade tequila and quickly became a Mexican tradition. Typically used as a tequila chaser, sangrita allows the person to appreciate the premium tequila while sipping alternately from each of the glasses. Sangrita should not be confused with the popular Spanish fruit and wine elixir, Sangria.

There are several commercial brands available but sangrita is easy to make and tastes much better if you make prepare it yourself. There are several recipes, most use tomato juice and orange juice at about a one to one ratio, with lime juice, salsa picante and other seasonings.

Here is Chubby’s favorite recipe for you:

  • 1 litre of tomato juice
  • 1/4 litre of fresh orange juice
  • juice of 3 limes
  • 2 table spoons of Maggi sauce (substitute soy sauce if you want)
  • 2 table spoons of Worchestershire sauce
  • 1 table spoon of Tabasco
  • 2 table spoons of grenadine (optional, will make it sweet)
  • pinch of salt
  • pinch of pepper

Add more Tabasco sauce if you want it spicier…and I also like salt around the rim !

CINCO DE MAYO?
Cinco de Mayo is mainly a regional celebration in Mexico, mostly in the region of Puebla. But today, Cinco de Mayo is the biggest Mexican holiday in the United States, primarily due to canny marketing campaigns. Like St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo is a holiday more likely to be celebrated in the US than in its country of origin.
Courtesy of:
www.dummies.com, www.tequila.org, www.cocktails.about.com