Name: Union wine and liquor
Address: 2675 Union Road, Cheektowaga, NY, 14227, US
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Explore the meticulous steps involved in tequila production, from the harvesting of the blue agave plant to the distillation and optional aging processes that contribute to the distinct profiles of Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo tequilas. Alongside, we'll provide you with tasting notes to help you appreciate the nuances of each type, as well as tips on how to hone your palate and make informed choices when selecting a bottle.

What is Tequila?

Tequila's origins can be traced back to as early as 1000 BC in Southwestern Mexico, where the Olmec people fermented the sap of the agave plant to create a drink known as pulque. However, it was with the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century that the pulque was distilled and refined into a product that is closer to the tequila that people know and love today.

The Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT) or Tequila Regulatory Council tightly regulates the tequila industry. By law, it can only be produced in the state of Jalisco - the birthplace of the iconic liquor - and certain Mexican states including Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas.

Production Process

Harvesting

The process begins with the harvesting of blue agave plants, Agave tequilana, which can take anywhere from seven to ten years to mature in Mexico's rich, red volcanic soils. Agave farmers, known as jimadores, use a special tool called a coa to cut away the leaves of the plant, extracting the piña, or core, which contains the sugars needed for fermentation.

Cooking and Extraction

The harvested agave hearts of piñas are then transported to distilleries, where they are cut into smaller pieces and slowly baked in large ovens or autoclaves. This cooking process converts the complex fructans in the agave into fermentable sugars and influences the smoky flavor of the final product, especially for white or silver tequilas. After cooking, the softened piñas are crushed to extract the agave juice, known as mosto. The extracted agave juice contains the sugars that will be fermented.

Fermentation

The extracted juice is placed in fermentation tanks, where yeast is added to convert the sugars into alcohol. This fermentation process can last from several days to over a week, depending on the production methods and the desired flavor profile.

Distillation

The fermented liquid, now called mosto muerto, is distilled twice in pot stills or column stills. The first distillation, known as "ordinario," produces a low-proof spirit. The second distillation refines the spirit, increasing its alcohol content and purity.

Aging (Optional)

Depending on the type of tequila being produced, it may then be aged in oak casks or wood barrels. The aging process of the distilled beverage can last from a minimum of two months for Reposado tequila to over three years for extra añejo tequila. Aging imparts color, flavor, and smoothness to the tequila.

Tequila Tasting Notes: Types of Tequila

Blanco (Silver or White) Tequila

Since blanco tequila is unaged, it is the purest expression of the agave plant. The aroma is fresh and clean, with notes of raw grass, lemon, lime, and sometimes hints of green herbs (mint, grass) or floral elements. The flavor is bright and clear with a strong presence of cooked agave, which may include peppery, earthy, or slightly sweet notes. There can also be a subtle fruitiness or spiciness. Silver tequila has a crisp and short to medium finish, but a lingering agave flavor.

Tequila blanco is quite a neutral spirit and is perfect for mixed drinks and tequila cocktails, especially for recipes that call for lime juice or orange juice. These mixers showcase a fruitier-tasting tequila.

Joven (Gold) Tequila

The flavor profile of joven tequila varies greatly, so it pays to buy from established brands. The best joven tequilas have sweeter aromas and flavor profiles because the distillery expertly mixed unaged and aged tequilas to produce a well-balanced joven. The roasted agave flavor is still present, but it is often mingled with caramel, vanilla, honey, oak, or fruity scents.

Reposado (Rested) Tequila

On the nose, reposado tequila offers a blend of agave and woody notes from barrel aging. Aromas can include caramel, honey, vanilla, and mild spices, alongside a more mellow agave scent. Flavor-wise, reposado is more complex than blanco, with the sweet and earthy agave flavor enriched by oak, vanilla, caramel, and sometimes fruits like apple or pear. The finish is warm and smooth, with a balance between the agave and the richer, deeper flavors from the oak.

Añejo (Aged) Tequila

With aging, tequila takes on richer and more complex aromas. Caramel, vanilla, chocolate, and dried fruits are prominent, but spice and agave are fairly common. The flavor smoothens and intensifies with hints of oak, toffee, coffee, chocolate, and nuts. Anejo tequila has a lingering sweetness and warmth, often ending with a spicy or peppery note.

Extra Añejo (Extra Aged) Tequila

This type of ultra-aged tequila is very rich and complex, with a pronounced bouquet of aromas such as dark chocolate, coffee, dried fruits, and deep oak, alongside a subtle hint of cooked agave. After a minimum of three years in the barrel, the liquor is exceptionally smooth and complex, with a pronounced sweetness and a luxurious depth of flavors, including vanilla, caramel, toffee, spices, and oak. Sipped neat, the finish is very long, smooth, and satisfying, often leaving a lingering taste of the rich flavors that can include a sweet, oaky warmth.

How to Hone Your Palate

Start with the Basics

Understand the categories (blanco, reposado, etc) and know what distinguishes these categories in terms of production and aging. This will help you anticipate certain flavors and aromas. Focus on quality and start by tasting 100% agave tequilas only. They offer the purest expressions of agave flavor and are free from additives that might obscure the taste.

Tasting Setup

Use appropriate glassware like a tequila-tasting glass or a small wine glass, as these concentrate the aromas. The Consejo Regulador del Tequila recommends a specific one called the Ouverture Tequila Glass. If you don't have the official tequila glass, use other glassware with a bowl big enough to let the spirit breathe properly. Avoid using shot glasses when you drink tequila, as these don't allow the aromas to bloom properly.

Take Everything In

Observe the color and clarity - aged tequilas will have a deeper color than blanco tequilas. Gently swirl the tequila in the glass to release its aromas, and take a moment to inhale them. Identify whether it's floral, fruity, earthy, or woody. Take a small sip, letting the tequila coat your tongue. Notice the initial flavors, mid-palate transitions, and the finish. Lastly, pay attention to the aftertaste and the length of the finish. A high-quality tequila will have a pleasant, lingering finish.

Try Different Brands

Comparing tequilas side by side can highlight differences and similarities, but when you’re starting don’t overload your senses with too many options. Start with tasting different expressions from the same brand before moving on to compare different brands. Record your impressions of each tequila you try, noting the appearance, aroma, flavor, and finish. Over time, you'll be able to track your evolving preferences and discoveries. Remember, the key to honing your palate is patience, practice, and a genuine curiosity about the complex world of this distilled spirit.

Buyer’s Guide: What is Top Shelf Tequila?

Check the label for "100% Agave": This designation by the tequila regulatory council means the tequila is made exclusively from the blue agave plant, offering a purer taste and higher quality than a "mixto" tequila, up to 49% of which can be made with other sugars from non-agave plants.
Check the NOM:Harvesting
Consider the Region: Most premium tequilas are produced in Jalisco, though excellent options also come from Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. The highlands (Los Altos) and lowlands of Jalisco offer different flavor profiles; highlands agave typically yield sweeter, more floral notes.
Age Matters: Decide whether you prefer the crisp, clear taste of a blanco, the mellow smoothness of a reposado, or the rich complexity of an añejo or extra añejo. Age influences flavor, body, and price.
Insert your text here Look for reviews from reputable sources or recommendations from knowledgeable bartenders or sommeliers. Personal blogs, tequila forums, and tasting notes can also be helpful. An expensive bottle of tequila isn't always better than a mid-range one.
Price Point: While higher-priced tequilas often offer more complexity and depth, there are many high-quality options available at a moderate price. Expensive doesn't always mean better, especially for everyday sipping or cocktail making.
Experiment with Small Bottles: If available, purchase smaller bottles or a tequila-tasting set to try different types without committing to a full bottle. This is a great way to explore various styles and producers.
Purpose: Consider how you plan to enjoy the tequila. For cocktails, a good quality blanco or reposado might be ideal. Investing in a finer eñejo or extra añejo could be more rewarding if you're sipping neat.
Special Editions and Artisanal Brands: Limited editions or small-batch tequilas aged in small oak barrels can offer unique and memorable experiences. Tequila made by artisanal brands is a great way to explore real tequila. They can be more expensive but are worth exploring for enthusiasts.

Recommendations

Clase Azul Gold

Clase Azul Gold is a premium joven tequila that masterfully combines Clase Azul Plata with a select reposado aged in French oak and an eight-year-old extra añejo matured in American whiskey casks, then finished in sherry casks. This blend creates a rich, complex flavor profile unparalleled in depth and smoothness.

The aroma offers a blend of agave, vanilla, and fruit, with subtle oak notes. The palate is treated to a harmonious mix of caramel sweetness and ripe fruits, enhanced by a light spice that persists into a lasting finish. The texture is notably smooth, making each sip a refined experience.

Don Julio 1942

Don Julio 1942® Tequila is crafted from agave grown on the family estate in Atotonilco's highlands, where it matures for seven years. Each agave is hand-harvested, and the piñas are roasted in brick ovens. After fermentation and distillation, the tequila is either stored in stainless steel for a crisp flavor or aged in ex-bourbon casks for a minimum of two and a half years to develop a rich vanilla and oak profile.

Produced in small batches, Don Julio 1942® is renowned for its exceptional quality and smoothness, making it a preferred choice in upscale venues globally.

Gran Patrón Platinum

Gran Patrón Platinum is a premium tequila crafted from 100% blue weber agave at the Hacienda Patrón distillery in Jalisco, Mexico. Triple-distilled and rested for 30 days in oak tanks, this tequila has a subtle oak creaminess to its profile. Each bottle of Patron is meticulously inspected, hand-corked, and signed, ensuring a high-quality, artisanal product. It comes in a hand-numbered crystal bottle and an elegant case, making it the perfect gift for aficionados and beginners alike.

Ready to add tequila to your home bar? Find the finest tequilas at Union Wine and Liquors. Located at 2675 Union Road, Cheektowaga, NY 14227. We have a carefully curated selection to satisfy connoisseurs and casual enthusiasts alike. Drop by or call at (716) 608-6190 for personalized recommendations.