Tequila

Tequila is a spirit made primarily in the area surrounding Tequila, a town in the western Mexican state of Jalisco, 65 km northwest of Guadalajara and in the highlands of Jalisco, 65 km east of Guadalajara !t is made from the "lue aga#e $also known as %ga#e tequilana a&ul, 'e"er(s "lue aga#e, and also called Maguey "y the local people), part of the lily and amaryllis families, which is nati#e to Mexico Most common tequilas are *5+ to 55+ alcohol $,- to ..- proof) Regions and other variations Tequila is the name of any distilled alcohol made from the aga#e plant 'hat makes tequila different from other me&cals is that tequila is made from %ga#e tequilana 'e"er, also called "lue aga#e or aga#e a&ul, and other me&cals from the state of /axaca are made from more than .- different kinds of aga#es Tequila is required to "e at least 5.+ aga#e0 the remainder is usually mai&e or sugarcane There are, howe#er, premium tequilas made from .--+ "lue aga#e !f it is not made from .--+ aga#e, tequila is referred to as mixto, although la"els on the "ottles will say only 1Tequila1 Tequila that is made only from aga#e must "e "ottled in Mexico and will say on the la"el 1Tequila .--+ de %ga#e1 or 1Tequila .--+ puro de %ga#e1 $some may add the word %&ul after aga#e) % person trained in the facts of Tequila history, Tequila production, and Mexican 2olklore is called a Tequilero 3ulk aga#e syrup, usually deri#ed from wild aga#e, may "e exported, and often has other sugars added, and caramel for coloring %ga#e syrup or nectar is a"out 4-+ fructose, and is often used as a sweetener and a safe su"stitute for ta"le sugar, corn syrup, or honey !t is marketed as a natural sweetener with a low glycemic index History % distillery o#en loaded with aga#e 1pi5as1 or 1pineapples1, the first step in the production of tequila Tequila was first produced in the .6th century near the location of the city of Tequila which was not officially esta"lished until .656 The %&tec people had pre#iously made a fermented "e#erage from the aga#e plant which they called octli $later and more popularly called pulque), long "efore the 6panish arri#ed in .57. 'hen the 6panish conquistadors ran out of their own "randy, they "egan to distill this aga#e drink to produce 8orth %merica(s first indigenous distilled spirit 6ome 9- years later, around .6--, :on ;edro 6<nche& de Tagle, the Marquis of %ltamira, "egan mass=producing tequila at the first factory in the territory of modern=day Jalisco 3y .6-9, the colonial go#ernor of 8ue#a Galicia had "egun to tax his products The tequila that is popular today was first mass=produced in the early .9--s in Guadalajara, Mexico

Recent history 3lue aga#e fields and ancient distilleries near Tequila are recogni&ed as part of the 'orld >eritage ?ist !n the late .44-s and early 7---s, increasing world=wide popularity of tequila dro#e corporate interest in the drink 8ota"le de#elopments as a result included@ The purchase of >erradura "y 3rown=2orman for A,,6 million in 6eptem"er 7--6 Basa 8o"le was selected, after a lengthy split=decision "etween Basa 8o"le and 2ortune 3rands( Cl Tesoro de :on 2elipe, as the /utstanding Tequila of the :ecade $.446 = 7--6) in July of 7--6 % new 8/M $8orma /fficial Mexicana) for tequila $8/M=--6=6B2!=7--5) was issued in 7--6, and among other changes, introduced a category of tequila called 1tequila extra a5ejo1 which must "e aged a minimum of * years The purchase of the 6au&a and Cl Tesoro "rands "y massi#e holding company 2ortune 3rands The production of the Cl Tesoro(s ;aradiso, a "lended tequila, aged in 2rench oak "arrels that had "een used for % de 2ussigny Bognac is one of the mo#es the industry has made to differentiate the 1ultra=premium1 tequila market %lthough some tequilas ha#e remained as family owned "rands, most well known tequila "rands are owned "y large multinational corporations >owe#er, there are o#er .-distilleries making o#er six hundred "rands of tequila in Mexico and o#er 7,--- "rand names ha#e "een registered % one=liter "ottle of limited=edition premium tequila was sold for A775,--- in July of 7--6 in Tequila, Jalisco, "y the company Tequila ?ey 475 The "ottle which contains the tequila is a two=kilo display of platinum and gold The manufacturer has recei#ed the Bertificate from Guinness 'orld Decords for the most expensi#e "ottle of liquor e#er sold 2006 Tequila Trade Agreement /n January .,, 7--6 the Enited 6tates and Mexico signed an agreement allowing the continued "ulk import of Tequila into the Enited 6tates 'ithout this agreement all tequila would ha#e had to "e "ottled in Mexico >owe#er, "ulk importing applies to 1well Tequila1 which must include a minimum of 5.+ aga#e .--+ aga#e Tequilas must "e "ottled in Mexico !n addition to allowing "ulk import, the agreement also created a Ftequila "ottlers registryG that identifies appro#ed "ottlers of tequila /ther key elements of the agreement include@ The end of restrictions of "ulk tequila exports to the Enited 6tates0 % prohi"ition on Mexican regulation of tequila la"eling or marketing, as well as the la"eling, formulation, and marketing of distilled spirits specialty products outside of Mexico0

Bontinuation of current practice with respect to addressing Mexican concerns regarding the manufacturing of tequila in the Enited 6tates0 and Csta"lishment of a working group to monitor the implementation of the agreement

Types of tequila Tequila is usually "ottled in one of fi#e categories@ /ro $1gold1) H unaged tequila which is 1jo#en y a"ogado1 $young and adulterated) which means that caramel, fructose, glycerin and wood fla#oring can "e added to resem"le aged tequila 3lanco $1white1) or plata $1sil#er1) H not aged white spirit Deposado $1rested1) H aged a minimum of 7 months "ut less than a year in oak "arrels %5ejo $1aged1 or 1#intage1) H aged minimum . year "ut less than * years in oak "arrels Cxtra %5ejo $1extra aged1) or ultra agedH aged minimum * year in oak "arrels This is a new category which was esta"lished in March 7--6

The aging process changes the color of tequila, "ut the liquid can sometimes "e colored with caramel to show a darker color, indicati#e of a longer aging process0 a5ejos tend to "e darker, the reposados slightly less dark, while the platas are not colored at all !t is a common misconception that some tequilas contain a (worm( in the "ottle /nly certain me&cals, usually from the state of /axaca, are e#er sold con gusano, and that only "egan as a marketing gimmick in the .4I-s The worm is actually the lar#al form of the moth >ypopta aga#is that li#es on the aga#e plant 2inding one in the plant during processing indicates an infestation and, correspondingly, a lower quality product $8ote@ for more information on how tequila is made, see me&cal ) >owe#er this misconception continues, and e#en with all the effort and marking to represent Tequila as a premium == similar to the way Bognac is #iewed in relation to "randy == there are some opportunist producers for the shooters and fun market who "lur these "oundaries !n the 7---s, a distri"utor known for their Tequilas, launched Jilla ?o"os, a #odka which had the unique selling point that it too featured the 1aga#e worm1 The marketing of this product highlighted the drink(s links with Tequilas and said that it was de#eloped in reaction to the Tequila crisis of the pre#ious years !n %pril 7--,, the organic community welcomed the world(s only certified organic tequila, I Bopas Tequila, from the ?a Kuemada :istillery Enlike other organic fruits and #egeta"les, the %ga#e plant needs to grow for 9=.7 years to let the sugars fully mature, making it much harder to stay organic for that duration Types and brands

There is a #ery distincti#e taste difference "etween the different types of tequila The most nota"le "eing a 1"ite1 that tequila is often remem"ered for This 1"ite1 is a characteristic of lower quality 1gold1 or 1sil#er1 tequilas and is mostly due to additi#es = commonly grain alcohols = that are less expensi#e than .--+ aga#e 'ith .--+ aga#e tequila, "lanco or plata is harsher with the "old fla#ors of the distilled aga#e up front, while reposado and a5ejo are smoother, su"tler, and more complex respecti#ely %s with other spirits that are aged in casks, tequila takes on the fla#ors of the wood, while the harshness of the alcohol mellows The major fla#or distinction with .--+ aga#e tequila is the "ase ingredient, which is more #egetal than grain spirits $and often more complex) Tequila Shot % single shot of tequila is often ser#ed with salt and a slice of lemon or lime This is called 1tequila cruda1 and is sometimes referred to as 1training wheels1, or a 1lick=sip= suck1 $referring to the way in which the com"ination of ingredients is im"i"ed) The drinker moistens the "ack of their hand "elow the index finger $usually "y licking) and pours on the salt Then the salt is licked off the hand, tequila is drunk and the fruit slice is quickly "itten !t is common for groups of drinkers to do this simultaneously :rinking Tequila in this way is often erroneously called a Tequila 6lammer0 howe#er this is a mixed Tequila and Bar"onated drink Though the traditional Mexican shot is straight tequila, lime is the fruit of choice when a chaser must "e used The salt lessens the 1"urn1 of the tequila and the sour fruit "alances and enhances the fla#or This is rarely done with aged tequilas due to their smoother character !n %ustralia, a #ariation of this is called the Muddy !t consists of the salt lick, Tequila, and then followed "y a shot of ;ineapple Juice The extreme #ariation in taste "etween the three ingredients is considered delightful This drink is #ery popular in the out"ack town of Bhinchilla, where it is said to ha#e "een in#ented "y musician Muddy 'aters !n Mexico, it is popular to drink fine tequila with a side of sangria==a sweet, sour and spicy drink typically made from orange juice, grenadine $or tomato juice) and hot chilies Cqual=si&ed shots of tequila and sangria are sipped alternately !n Germany and some other countries, tequila is often consumed with cinnamon "efore and slices of orange after==su"stituting for the salt and lemon that are used elsewhere 2inally, as with other popular liquors, there are a num"er of shot=related drinking games and 1stunt1 drinks such as "ody shots and the tequila stuntman Tequila offered by N !" #$00 Reposado This.--+ %ga#e tequila has rested 6 months in large %merican and 2rench /ak "arrels to "ecome a classic gold, with an orange=copper cast0 moderately full="odied0 figs, wet

stone, dried grasses0 "old, round texture0 smooth "road feel with deep fla#ors and a rich finish #%2# Reserva &special !t is definitely a Tequila made to "e tasted calmly and enjoyed in a cognac wine glass, allowing the description of the authentic taste of the white oak "arrel aged for almost 4 months, where the wood has "lended its most sophisticated characteristics with the aga#e from JaliscoLs soil ora'(n )lanco* Reposado and Ane+o Tequila Bora&Mn de %ga#e is created from .--+ "lue aga#e, grown in the rich, red soil of the highlands of %randas, Jalisco, Mexico The aga#e grown in this region is considered to "e the largest and sweetest of all aga#e plants, taking "etween 9=.7 years to mature to their full fla#or 2or this reason, Bora&Mn de %ga#e is produced from only these select plants Bora&Mn de %ga#e is estate grown, culti#ated, distilled, aged to perfection in new charred oak "arrels and hand "ottled at :estiladora 6an 8icolas Cstate in Mexico ,on -ulio #%.2 %n exquisite %nejo created to cele"rate the 6-th anni#ersary of the opening of :on Julio(s first distillery This premium tequila has rested in oak "arrels for o#er 7 years with a pure golden color, full nose of #anilla, apple and oak 6ilky profile with a sweet #anilla finish ,on -ulio Reposado and Ane+o >and=selecting each aga#e and using only the heart of the distillation is timely and la"or= intensi#e "ut it insures a tequila that is truly exceptional and its part of the reason :on Julio has endured and prospered to "ecome the N. ultra=premium tequila in Mexico, the cradle of the tequila makerLs craft Herradura Ane+o Breated in .46*, >erradura %5ejo is made from .--+ Tequilana 'e"er 3lue %ga#es 'ith a strength of I-O, and an aging process of 75 months, this tequila is a nice surprise for the "est tasters of the world -ose uervo Reserva de la /amilia Deser#a de la 2amilia is the Buer#o family(s finest Tequila !n fact, for o#er .generations it was a family secret only shared with the closest of friends !n .445, to cele"rate their 7--=year anni#ersary as the world(s leading producer of Tequila, the Buer#o family decided to share this "lend of its special Tequila reser#es with people who truly sa#or an exceptional taste sensation uervo &special and l0sico The free spirit of Buer#o CspecialPmore affectionately known as FBuer#o GoldGPhas pro#ided the inspiration for countless memora"le moments o#er the years and is the num"er=one selling Tequila in the world and Jose Buer#o Bl<sico is the sil#er=styled Tequila that adds something truly refreshing to any drinkPand any occasion

1atr(n Silver* Reposado and Ane+o ;atrMn $6panish for Fthe good "ossG) is the "rainchild of two entrepreneurs, John ;aul :eJoria and Martin Browley, whose lo#e of tequila and desire to create the "est tequila in the world led them to a factory high in the mountains of Jalisco, Mexico, producing an extraordinary spirit % few changes later, ;atrMn tequila, now the worldLs top=selling ultra=premium tequila was ready for market, and The ;atrMn 6pirits Bompany $formerly 6t Maarten 6pirits, ?td ) was "orn Today, ;atrMn accounts for o#er ,- percent of sales in the ultra=premium tequila category 2rand 1atr(n 1latinum Grand ;atron could "e the worldLs finest ;latinum tequila Triple distilled and aged to perfection it is a true connoisseurs sil#er tequila This could "e the smoothest sil#er tequila e#er produced 1orfidio 1lata and Ane+o :estileria ;orfidio prides itself on the quality of its ingredients ;orfidio "rand is made from .--+ pure aga#e juice 'ith a limited production capacity = no more than 5-,--liters per year = :estileria ;orfidio is a"le to gi#e each "ottle its personal attention %ll our "rands are carefully "ottled, la"eled and finished "y hand with an indi#idual, consecuti#e, registered num"er assigned to each "ottle Sau'a Tres 2eneraciones Ane+o This %nejo $aged) tequila is considered the crowning achie#ement of 6au&a family distillery !ts delicate, natural, am"er hue comes from more than three years aging in once=used "our"on "arrels The richness of .--+ estate grown "lue aga#e is imparted with the su"tle fla#ors of the hand=charred oak o#er its long resting period gi#ing it a smoky, smooth finish like no other Tequila Rose % passionate com"ination of straw"erry crQme liqueur with a splash of fine tequila come together to make this fa#orite enjoyed straight or mixed to create your fa#orite cocktail