Contrary to popular belief, tequila is not cactus juice. The spirit is distilled from blue Weber agave. (And for the record, it should never come with a worm in the bottle.) Just like Champagne or cognac, tequila can only be made in a specific region: the Mexican state of Jalisco and some surrounding areas. The area's volcanic soil is perfect for growing agave. The forbidding plant, which has sharp thorns and long, thick leaves, takes between eight and 12 years to reach maturity before it can be harvested. The heart of the plant, which can weigh well over 100 pounds, is peeled, roasted and crushed, and its sweet juice is then fermented and distilled. (While premium tequila is made from pure agave, cheaper tequila called mixto is distilled from both agave and other sugars.) Tequila is usually distilled twice.
There are four main tequila categories: Blanco (also called silver, plata or platinum) is aged for less than two months and is clear; reposado is aged between two and 12 months and is golden-colored; añejo is aged between one and three years and is a whisky-like brown; and extra-añejo, a new category introduced by the Tequila Regulatory Council in 2006, is aged more than three years. Tequila, like most Scotches, is typically aged in used bourbon casks.
HOW TO DRINK TEQUILA:
Blanco tequila is perfect for shots and works nicely in cocktails like the Margarita, the Paloma and the Bloody Maria. Reposado, añejo and extra-añejo tequilas can be sipped like whiskies or can be used to create a decadent cocktail.
NOTEWORTHY TEQUILA BRANDS:
1800, 1921, Cabo Wabo, Casa Noble, Casa Dragones, Casa Vieja, Cazadores, Chinaco, Corazon, DeLeón, Don Eduardo, Don Julio, Dos Lunas, El Diamante del Cielo, El Tesoro, Espolón, Frida Kahlo, Gran Centenario, Herradura, Jose Cuervo, Milagro, Olmeca, Partida, Patrón, Sauza, Tanteo, Tres Agaves
Learn more about absinthe, bourbon, cognac, gin, Irish whiskey, rum, rye whiskey, Scotch and vodka in the Spirits 101 articles on Liquor.com.