Currency and Delivery Country

We're just loading our login box for you, hang on!

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.

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. 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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jose Cuervo Especial Gold

70cl, 38%
Jose Cuervo

Produced by the famous Jose Cuervo company, Especial Gold is a blend of reposado and unaged blanco Tequilas. It's a perfect choice for making Margarita cocktails, and has a mild agave flavour.  More info

Jose Cuervo Especial Gold
11
$22.50

Ocho Single Barrel - Las Presas Añejo - 2018 Harvest

70cl, 52.5%
Ocho

A single barrel, single estate añejo Tequila from Ocho. This 100% agave Tequila is from the 2018 harvest from the Las Presas estate, made with agave allowed to grow for at least eight years. This is…  More info

Ocho Single Barrel - Las Presas Añejo - 2018 Harvest
$101.23

Enemigo 89 Añejo Cristalino

70cl, 40%
Enemigo

An interesting expression from the Enemigo tequila range. This is the Enemigo 89 Añejo Cristalino - you may notice that it's a bit... Well, a bit clear for an añejo tequila. What they do is age the…  More info

Enemigo 89 Añejo Cristalino
$61.32

ArteNOM Selección de 1579 Tequila Blanco

70cl, 40%
ArteNOM

Top quality Tequila, independently bottled by ArteNOM, which is on a mission to seek out select expressions with distinctive heritage and character. This classic blanco was crafted by master…  More info

ArteNOM Selección de 1579 Tequila Blanco
1
$61.38

Cimarrón Blanco Tequila

70cl, 40%
Cimarrón

Solid blanco Tequila from Cimarrón, made from 100% blue weber agave. This is intentionally distilled with a relatively dry profile for lighter sweetness which makes it extremely versatile for all…  More info

Cimarrón Blanco Tequila
1
$29.40

Avión Reposado Tequila

70cl, 40%
Avión

Reposado tequila from the Avión range (which you may be familiar with if you watch the TV show Entourage). They age this tequila for 6 months before bottling it up.  More info

Avión Reposado Tequila
$53.44

Herradura Reposado Reserva Tequila - Port Cask Finish

70cl, 40%
Herradura

Using 100% blue weber agave and natural yeast, this reposado is both double-distilled and double-matured. Initially resting for 11 months in medium-char American white oak casks, it then spends an…  More info

Herradura Reposado Reserva Tequila - Port Cask Finish
1
$81.27

Herradura Añejo Tequila

70cl, 40%
Herradura

A very good quality Añejo from Herradura. This was introduced in 1962, and was the first commercially available Tequila of its type. It also won Golds at both the coveted International Wine and…  More info

Herradura Añejo Tequila
5
$52.43

Sauza Tres Generaciones Añejo Tequila

70cl, 38%
Sauza

From the famous tequila producers, Sauza, Tres Generaciones Añejo is aged in American oak for 12 months before bottling.  More info

Sauza Tres Generaciones Añejo Tequila
3
$58.56

Sierra Tequila Reposado

70cl, 38%
Destilerias Sierra

Reposado tequila from the immensely popular Sierra brand, complete with tiny gold-coloured plastic sombrero.  More info

Sierra Tequila Reposado
6
$22.50
Best Seller

El Jimador Tequila Reposado

70cl, 38%
El Jimador

Allow us to introduce Mexico's bestselling tequila… El Jimador Reposado is aged for 2 months in White Oak barrels before bottling. It is stunningly smooth with notes of cooked agave, vanilla and…  More info

El Jimador Tequila Reposado
9
$26.32

Exotico Tequila Blanco

70cl, 40%
Exotico Tequila

Exotico Tequila is made using 100% blue agave, producing up in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. The Blanco expression is unaged, though still manages to pack quite a lot of flavour, with notes of…  More info

Exotico Tequila Blanco
$36.40

Patrón Añejo

70cl, 40%
Patrón

An aged Tequila from the brilliant Patrón in Mexico, this Añejo offering is aged in a combination of French oak, Hungarian oak, and American whiskey barrels for over 12 months. The bottle itself is a…  More info

Patrón Añejo
6
$55.19

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
$96.16

Pueblo Viejo Añejo

70cl, 38%
San Matias

Pueblo Viejo Añejo Tequila is made with 100% blue agave, which is then rested for 18 months in American white oak barrels. A wonderful Tequila with a satin-esque mouth-feel.  More info

Pueblo Viejo Añejo
1
$33.24

Código 1530 Blanco

70cl, 38%
Código 1530

The blanco expression from the Código 1530 Tequila range, made with agave which has grown for over seven years before being distilled. Top quality stuff, this.  More info

Código 1530 Blanco
2
$43.92

ArteNOM Selección de 1414 Tequila Reposado

70cl, 40%
ArteNOM

Independently bottled reposado Tequila from ArteNOM, who specialise in bottling distiller's selections of Tequila, each with regional distinction. Selección de 1414 is produced at Distileria El…  More info

ArteNOM Selección de 1414 Tequila Reposado
$71.56

Ambhar Tequila Reposado

70cl, 40%
Ambhar

Distilled in Jalisco, Mexico, from 100% blue weber agave comes Ambhar's Reposado Tequila. It's rested for just under a year in barrels which previously housed Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, before…  More info

Ambhar Tequila Reposado
$47.82

Don Ramón Platinium Añejo Cristalino

70cl, 35%
Don Ramón

An impressive añejo Tequila from the Don Ramón Platinium collection, produced with 100% agave grown in the highlands of Jalisco. The Tequila is aged in American oak barrels for 12 months resulting in…  More info

Don Ramón Platinium Añejo Cristalino
$68.49
Best Seller

Tequila 38 Blanco

70cl, 38%
Destilerias Espronceda

A top Tequila from Destilerías Espronceda and produced in Jalisco, this Blanco bottling is the answer to all your mixing needs – with its fresh, agave-forward flavour profile, whether you're whipping…  More info

Tequila 38 Blanco
$25.52

123 Reposado Tequila

70cl, 40%
123

A gorgeous Reposado Tequila from the folks at 123, and this one's spiced, caramel-forward flavour profile was achieved by resting it in American white oak barrels for six months! Tequila Sour, anyone?  More info

123 Reposado Tequila
1
$71.56

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
$41.90

Casa Dragones Joven Gift Pack with 2x Glasses

70cl, 40%
Casa Dragones

A very stylish gift pack of Casa Dragones Joven Tequila, alongside two particularly swish glasses to enjoy it from. The expression itself is made with a blend of silver and well-aged spirits, making…  More info

Casa Dragones Joven Gift Pack with 2x Glasses
1
$286.44

Padre Azul Blanco Tequila

70cl, 38%
Padre Azul

This blanco Tequila from Padre Azul is double distilled from roasted agave, and bottled without maturation. The name 'Azul' refers to the Blue Weber agave, and you'd be forgiven for thinking that…  More info

Padre Azul Blanco Tequila
$81.83

Salitos Gold

70cl, 38%
Salitos

This expression from Salitos goes through a double distillation before it's placed into barrels to rest. The Tequila takes on some buttery, mature notes alongside the fresh grassy flavours from the…  More info

Salitos Gold
$30.64

Recently viewed