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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.

VIVIR Tequila Blanco

70cl, 40%
VIVIR

Made with 100% Blue Weber agave at the distillery in Jalisco, VIVIR's Blanco Tequila is double distilled and blended with local water from a volcanic spring. A wonderfully smooth Tequila that would…  More info

VIVIR Tequila Blanco
15
£40.99

Casa Dragones Joven

70cl, 40%
Casa Dragones

An exceptional Tequila from Casa Dragones, dubbed a 'sipping Tequila', and for good reason! Don't be fooled by the colour, distilled exclusively from Blue Weber agave, this Joven expression is made…  More info

Casa Dragones Joven
13
£309

818 Blanco

70cl, 40%
818

818 Tequila is named after the San Fernando Valley area code in Los Angeles, a place that's close to founder Kendall Jenner's heart. This blanco Tequila is made from 100% agave that's allowed to grow…  More info

818 Blanco
£47.95

El Espolòn Reposado Tequila

70cl, 40%
Destiladora San Nicolas

This is the El Espolòn Reposado Tequila, produced by Destilladora San Nicolas in Los Altos. After distillation, which includes playing rock music in the factories to "inspire" the agave, the Reposado…  More info

El Espolòn Reposado Tequila
3
£32.45

Olmeca Silver

70cl, 35%
Olmeca Tequila

Ideal for all your Tequila cocktail needs, this blanco expression from Olmeca will be perfect in citrus-forward serves. Produced in the hills of Jalisco in Mexico, it's brimming with peppery herbs…  More info

Olmeca Silver
£24.99

Cenote Reposado Tequila

70cl, 40%
Cenote

Master distiller Arturo Fuentes and master blender Alejandro Garcia Páez create the Cenote Tequila range using blue agave which has matured for at least 6 years. Following distillation, the Reposado…  More info

Cenote Reposado Tequila
1
£46.50

818 Añejo

70cl, 40%
818

Añejo Tequila from 818 which has been matured in oak barrels for over a year, imparting plenty of rich spice and oak character. Made from 100% agave which is harvested after growing for at least…  More info

818 Añejo
£64.95

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

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

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
Best Seller

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

Arette Reposado

70cl, 38%
Arette

This corking reposado is aged for between 4 and 6 months in white oak. It is made 100% blue agave from Jalisco, and it is blended with water from Tequila mountain. This is a superb premium tequila…  More info

Arette Reposado
3
£33.94

El Rayo Plata

70cl, 40%
El Rayo

El Rayo Tequila pays homage to the legend that lightning struck an agave plant, cooking it and creating the first ever Tequila. This particular expression is not made with lightning, but with 105…  More info

El Rayo Plata
5
£34.94

Rooster Rojo Añejo Tequila

70cl, 38%
Rooster Rojo

This añejo Tequila was made with blue agave, using the Fabrica de Tequilas method of cooking the piña with steam in autoclaves for 10 hours. A special yeast is added to the agave juices prior to…  More info

Rooster Rojo Añejo Tequila
7
£28.45

VIVIR Tequila Reposado

70cl, 40%
VIVIR

VIVIR Tequila Reposado is made with 100% blue weber agave, and allowed to mature in bourbon oak casks for at least 6 months before making its way into the handsome bottles. Suitable for enjoying…  More info

VIVIR Tequila Reposado
25
£43.50

Gran Patrón Piedra Extra Añejo

70cl, 40%
Patrón

The first extra añejo tequila produced by Patrón - Piedra. It's made from 100% blue weber agave from the highlands of Jalisco. To mature this well-aged expression, they use both American and French…  More info

Gran Patrón Piedra Extra Añejo
2
£308.99

Don Ramón Reposado Punta Diamante

70cl, 38%
Don Ramón

A reposado addition to the Punta Diamante Tequila collection from Don Ramón. Produced from 100% agave, this expression is rested for a short time in white oak, imparting smooth notes of caramel, and…  More info

Don Ramón Reposado Punta Diamante
£40.95

Olmeca Altos Añejo

70cl, 40%
Olmeca Tequila

Olmeca launched their Altos Añejo Tequila in mid-2016, adding to the range's Plata and Resposado expressions. They age this tequila for 13 months in oak casks before bottling, making it well-suited…  More info

Olmeca Altos Añejo
1
£44.94

Padre Azul Añejo Tequila (40%)

70cl, 40%
Padre Azul

Padre Azul's eye-catching Añejo Tequila, bottled up at a slightly higher ABV of 40%! Double distilled from blue Weber agave, this expression spends a minimum of 18 months resting in ex-bourbon…  More info

Padre Azul Añejo Tequila (40%)
£108.95

El Tequileño Reposado Rare

70cl, 40%
El Tequileño

This beguiling rare reposado from El Tequileño is made from 100% blue agave grown in the highlands of Jalisco. Fermented with natural yeast, and influenced by the 150-year-old mango trees that grow…  More info

El Tequileño Reposado Rare
£154.99

Montezuma Gold Tequila

70cl, 40%
Montezuma

Produced by the Montezuma company, this is a gold-coloured Reposado tequila which was aged in oak for less than two months before bottling.  More info

Montezuma Gold Tequila
5
£20.50
Price Drop

Tapatio Excelencia Gran Reserva Extra Añejo

100cl, 40%
La Altena

Holy smokes! This Tapatio tequila is incredible! The Tapatio Excelencia Gran Reserva Extra Añejo is matured for around four years. A combination of casks are used, depending on the batch, including…  More info

Tapatio Excelencia Gran Reserva Extra Añejo
12
£202.99
£199.90

Padre Azul Reposado Tequila

70cl, 38%
Padre Azul

Padre Azul Reposado is distilled from agave which is cooked slowly at low temperatures, meaning that it keeps more of those sweeter notes. After a double distillation, it's matured in oak bourbon…  More info

Padre Azul Reposado Tequila
£93.99

Tiempo Tequila Reposado Cristalino

70cl, 40%
Tiempo Tequila

This tremendous reposado Tequila from Tiempo is made from 100% blue weber agave grown in Los Altos and the Tequila Valley in Mexico. Produced with natural yeast and volcanic spring water, the Tequila…  More info

Tiempo Tequila Reposado Cristalino
2
£54.45

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
4
£99.94

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