5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Tequila

Happy National Tequila Day!

If you drink alcohol, chances are you’ve had some run-in with tequila at some point in your life. Tequila often carries the reputation of being the wildest of all the alcohols, but some premium brands have gotten into the game recently who are elevating this alcohol to something that you will want to casually sip and enjoy rather than slamming back.  Below are 5 things you probably didn’t know about tequila.

Interested in hosting your very own in-home micro-tasting? For a limited time, Aguamiel Tequila will be hosting complimentary in-home micro-tastings in Ontario. To join, interested hosts can visit the Aguamiel website to register their party of ten. An Aguamiel ambassador will help the host create an unforgettable experience.

1. It can only be grown in Jalisco, Mexico.

2. According to Guinness World Records, the most expensive bottle of tequila was worth $225,000 in 2006.  The Platinum & White Gold Tequila bottle was sold by Tequila Ley .925 to a private collector.  The tequila was harvested from 100% blue agave plants that had been aged 6 years.

3. There are 5 different kinds of tequila:

Blanco (white) tequila which is unaged or has been aged for less than two months.
Joven (gold) tequila which is unaged silver tequila that is flavored with either caramel coloring or sugar-derived syrups.
Reposado tequila which has been aged for a minimum of two months but less than 1 year in oak barrels. A good reposado should keep most of the vibrant character of the blanco, while introducing some influence of the wood it is aged in.
Añejo tequila which has been aged for at least 1 year, but less than 3 years in oak barrels. A good añejo should maintain the presence of the agave, while bringing barrel’s mellowing characteristics in stronger.
Extra Añejo tequila which has been aged for at least 3 years.

4. All tequila starts out as Blanco, which is the un-aged, purest expression of the spirit. Unlike other spirits which need aging to be palatable, a well made blanco is complex and delicious to sip with no aging. A good blanco should be full of the character of the agave it was made from.

5. The longer tequila is aged, the more difficult it is to maintain the agave character that makes Tequila so unique and enjoyable.

Here are three of our favourite ways to sip one of the best tequilas currently on the market.