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Tequila

Tequila, possibly Mexico’s most famous export, has seen an explosive growth in global popularity in recent years. The spirit takes its name from the town of Tequila which lies in the south west, near Mexico’s second city of Guadalajara. The rules for production are governed by the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT), and Tequila can only come from five regions: Michoacán, Guanajuato, Nayarit, Tamaulipas, and Jalisco.

What is agave?

The other notable rule is that even though there are more than 200 varieties of agave, only one, the blue weber agave, can be used to make Tequila. The agave plant is a succulent native to Mexico. Don’t call it a cactus, the two are not related in any way. Some agave grows wild though most of the plants for Tequila production are now cultivated.

How long does agave take to grow?

An agave can take anywhere from six to twelve years to mature and can grow up to 2.5 metres (8 feet) tall. Harvesting the agave is a skilled and labour intensive process. When the plant is ripe, the jimador (farmer) removes the agave leaves with a sharp curved tool called a coa. These fibrous leaves are discarded, the part he’s after is the heart of the plant, called the piña, because it looks like a pineapple. These can weigh up to about 100kg (220lb) but usually come in at 30kg. They are made up of complex carbohydrates which are not fermentable so the next stage is to convert them into sugar. The exact time of the harvest is very important, because if the agave plants are gathered too early, the natural sugars will have yet to develop, and if it is gathered too late, the plant will have begun to decay.

Extracting sugar from the agave plant

To access those sugars, the piñas need to be cooked. They are cut up, by hand usually, and put in a giant oven. Here they are gently steamed in a process that can take up to three days. This process turns the starchy plants into a sweet pulpy mass. A more recent way of extracting the sugar from agave plants uses a machine called a diffuser. This essentially subjects the agave to high temperature, pressure, and often high acidity to maximise extraction from the agave fibres and cook the carbohydrates (although sometimes the liquid is cooked after the process).

Sugar and Tequila

The next stage is to release all that sugar rich juice from the cooked agave. Originally this would be done by crushing the cooked pinas under a stone wheel known as a tahona, pulled by a donkey. Some Tequilas are still made this way but most are milled and crushed in a machine. Fermentation takes place over days either with a wild or commercial yeast, today usually the latter as it creates a faster and more stable ferment. Tequila producers at this stage are allowed to add corn sugar so that it makes up a maximum of 49% of the final amount of fermentable sugars. This is done for cheaper Tequilas which are known somewhat disparagingly as ‘mixtos’. Following fermentation, the resulting agave drink will be between 4 and 6 % ABV. This is not dissimilar to pulque, a fermented agave drink that has been made in Central America for centuries.

How is Tequila distilled?

The next step in the Tequila process was introduced by the Spanish in the 16th century: distillation. In Tequila this is usually done in a two stage process in pot stills. The first stage produces a ‘low wine’ of 20-22% ABV which is then resdistilled to 55-75% ABV. Some producers, however, use column stills. Traditionally stills would have been made from copper and though stainless steel is also commonly used, it is important to have some copper contact to remove unwanted compounds.

Tequila has three varieties

The finished spirit is commonly divided into three varieties: blanco (or silver/plato, which is one aged for up to two months), reposado (2-12 months ageing) and añejo (1-3 years in oak vessels with a capacity of 600l or less). The barrels usually come from the bourbon industry though some new casks are used. There’s also an extra añejo category, introduced in 2006 and referring to anything over three years aged and cristalino, which is essentially añejo Tequila that has been filtered (often through charcoal) to remove the naturally occurring colours. Finally there’s gold Tequila which can be a mix of blanco and aged Tequila, but most often unaged ‘mixto’ blanco with abocado. No, not avocado, though wouldn’t that be fun, abocado is what’s classed as a ‘mellowing agent’ to mimic the effects of ageing and usually made up of caramel, glycerin and wood tinctures. Tequila will usually be reduced to a minimum of 38% ABV before bottling but you do see much stronger ones.

Tequila cocktails

The vast majority of Tequila is drunk in cocktails such as the Margarita, Paloma, and Tequila Sunrise. Many Tequila aficionados turn their noses up at so-called ‘mixto’ Tequilas which are made with up to 49% corn sugar. But if you’re making large batches of cocktails, then they make sense. Furthermore, the global boom in demand for Tequila has meant a shortage of agave which takes a long time to grow, so a mixto can be the more sustainable alternative.

Premium Tequila

Going further upmarket are 100% agave Tequilas. One of the joys of premium Tequila is that like with a good wine you can discern differences in flavour depending on where the agave was grown and how ripe it was when harvested. Highland agave which grows slower is said to taste fresher and more floral. Certain brands now release single field Tequilas. It’s worth trying these neat especially alongside Mexican food. Finally there are aged Tequilas: minimally aged ones like reposados have extra body and sweetness making them great in cocktails like a Negroni while añejo and extra añejo Tequilas which make great bourbon substitutes in cocktails like an Old Fashioned.

Clase Azul Reposado

70cl, 40%
Clase Azul

An unbelievably good Reposado tequila, made from Organic agaves which are grown for over 9 years before slow cooking in traditional ovens. The fermentation is done using the company's secret blend of…  More info

Clase Azul Reposado
9
£209.95

Clase Azul Gold

70cl, 40%
Clase Azul

This is quite a remarkable creation from Clase Azul Tequila. The brand took its Tequila Plata and then blended that with a reposado Tequila it had matured in French oak casks as well as an Extra…  More info

Clase Azul Gold
£419.99

Mijenta Tequila Blanco

70cl, 40%
Mijenta

Mijenta Tequila comes to us from the highlands of Jalisco, where it's made with sustainability in mind, crafted by Maestra Tequilera Ana Maria Romero. Produced with 100% blue weber agave, and bottled…  More info

Mijenta Tequila Blanco
2
£44.95

Don Julio 70 Cristalino Añejo

70cl, 35%
Don Julio

A fantastic expression from the Don Julio Tequila range, Don Julio 70 is allowed to mature for 18 months in American white oak Bourbon casks before being charcoal filtered. This removed the colour of…  More info

Don Julio 70 Cristalino Añejo
4
£74.99

Fortaleza Blanco

70cl, 40%
Destileria La Fortaleza

Guillermo Sauza's family have a rich Tequila-making history, with Don Cenobio a key figure in establishing Tequila as we understand it today. When Guillermo was little, his grandfather sold the…  More info

Fortaleza Blanco
5
£57.45

Patrón Silver

70cl, 40%
Patrón

Produced in small batches in Mexico, Patrón Silver is triple-distilled and made entirely from blue weber agave. It's smooth and crisp, perfect for sipping neat or enjoying in your favourite cocktail.…  More info

Patrón Silver
9
£43.95
Best Seller

El Sueño Tequila Gold

70cl, 38%
El Sueño

El Sueño Tequila Gold is the result of five generations' Tequila producing know-how. Such traditional knowledge of Tequila production has been coupled with a more modern focus on sustainability,…  More info

El Sueño Tequila Gold
10
£22.45

Casamigos Reposado Tequila

70cl, 40%
Casamigos

This is a Reposado Tequila from the Casamigos range, created by George Clooney (off of the movies) and Rande Gerber. After spending 7 months in American white oak casks, this tequila has taken on…  More info

Casamigos Reposado Tequila
3
£62.94

Fortaleza Blanco Still Strength

70cl, 46%
Destileria La Fortaleza

A higher-strength variation of Fortaleza excellent Blanco Tequila. Ought to stand out very well in cocktails and mixed drinks...  More info

Fortaleza Blanco Still Strength
1
£66
Best Seller

Don Julio 1942 Tequila

70cl, 38%
Don Julio

The Top Cuvée from Veteran Producer Don Julio, named in honour of founder Don Julio Gonzalez-Frausto Estrada, who first distilled Tequila when he was just 17 years old in 1942. This tasty Mexican…  More info

Don Julio 1942 Tequila
10
£209.99

Fortaleza Añejo

70cl, 40%
Destileria La Fortaleza

With a rich family history in tequila, Guillermo Sauza launched Fortaleza in 2005, bringing back the traditions of previous generations at the family distillery that had sat unused for too long. This…  More info

Fortaleza Añejo
5
£99.99
Price Drop

Don Julio Blanco Tequila

70cl, 38%
Don Julio

Citrussy and fresh, Don Julio's Blanco tequila was rated as "Classic" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. This is their highest commendation, and it was awarded after their noted critic, F Paul Pacult after…  More info

Don Julio Blanco Tequila
4
£49.15
£44.90

El Tequileño Blanco

50cl, 38%
El Tequileño

The Blanco Tequila from the El Tequileño range! It's made with agaves sourced from the Highlands of Jalisco, which boast a high sugar content – resulting in sweeter Tequila. The folks over at El…  More info

El Tequileño Blanco
£21.44

Fortaleza Reposado

70cl, 40%
Destileria La Fortaleza

Fortaleza launched in 2005, but Guillermo Sauza's family have been making tequila for five generations going back to Don Cenobio who is said to have been the first person to export “mezcal de…  More info

Fortaleza Reposado
3
£72.94

Olmeca Altos Plata

70cl, 38%
Olmeca Tequila

Made of 100% agave from Los Altos, high up in Jalisco, Mexico, Olmeca Altos Plata is a blanco tequila, perfect for margaritas.  More info

Olmeca Altos Plata
7
£33.49

Clase Azul Plata

70cl, 40%
Clase Azul

This beautiful blanco Tequila is made from agaves that were aged for at least 9 years. These are slow cooked in traditional ovens and are distilled before a triple filtration. Clase Azul Plata is…  More info

Clase Azul Plata
1
£119.25

Satryna Blanco Tequila

70cl, 38%
Satryna

From the wonderful Satryna comes an unaged Blanco Tequila, produced in small batches from triple distilled blue Weber agave sourced near Guadalajara. The fresh, grassy spirit is presented in a rather…  More info

Satryna Blanco Tequila
2
£62.50
Price Drop

Casamigos Blanco Tequila

70cl, 40%
Casamigos

Casamigos Blanco is a light, refreshing tequila, made with 100% agave, which ripples with notes of freshly chopped herbs (think mint leaves), vanilla and subtle agave. The Casamigos brand is the…  More info

Casamigos Blanco Tequila
4
£52
£49.90

SPHYNX Tequila - Extra Aged Añejo Black Oak Signature Decanter

70cl, 40%
Sphynx Tequila

100% agave añejo Tequila from SPHYNX, which has been aged in wine barrels. Full of rich, oaky vanilla notes, alongside cooked agave, and warming spices, making this a great Tequila to enjoy neat.…  More info

SPHYNX Tequila - Extra Aged Añejo Black Oak Signature Decanter
£248

Kah Reposado Tequila (40%)

70cl, 40%
Fabrica de Tequilas Finos

Have you ever looked around your place of residence and thought to yourself, "We need more skulls"? Well, here's a tasty way to alleviate that issue - a bottle of Kah Resposado Tequila, shaped like a…  More info

Kah Reposado Tequila (40%)
1
£42.40

Casa Dragones Blanco

70cl, 40%
Casa Dragones

It's the Blanco expression from Casa Dragones, distilled exclusively from Blue Weber agave. Totally unaged, it's bottled up at 40% ABV in all its fresh agave glory. This would make an absolutely…  More info

Casa Dragones Blanco
5
£99.94

El Rayo Reposado

70cl, 40%
El Rayo

This is the Reposado expression from Tequila El Rayo, which distils 100% Blue Weber agave in 105 year old copper stills and matured for seven months in casks that previously held whiskey before being…  More info

El Rayo Reposado
12
£36.94

VIVIR Tequila Añejo

70cl, 40%
VIVIR

VIVIR Tequila Añejo is made with double distilled 100% Blue Weber agave, harvested at around 12 years of age. The Tequila is then blended with local volcanic spring water and aged in bourbon casks…  More info

VIVIR Tequila Añejo
32
£52.95

Don Julio Reposado Tequila

70cl, 38%
Don Julio

Smooth and balanced reposado tequila from Don Julio, aged for just under a year in bourbon barrels.  More info

Don Julio Reposado Tequila
5
£49.95

Mijenta Tequila Reposado

70cl, 40%
Mijenta

A glorious 100% agave Reposado Tequila from the folks at Mijenta, who are committed to environmental sustainability. Lightly aged in a combination of American white oak, French oak, and French acacia…  More info

Mijenta Tequila Reposado
£63.95

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