About Tequila
Surrounded by celebration, magic, tradition, and legend, Tequila is considered as the most representative Mexican drink on Earth.
Tequila is a spirit made from the cooking, fermentation, and distillation of the blue agave tequilana weber, the only species of agave that can be used for tequila production, even though there are 136 varieties of agave in Mexico.
Like cognac, champagne, sherry, and other prestigious beverages around the world, Tequila has a denomination of origin, which delimits the geographical area allowed to produce Tequila to a certain region of Mexico. Besides, there is a Mexican Official Standard (NOM) and a Tequila Regulating Council (CRT); both control the quality of every bottle that bares the Tequila name.
According to the Mexican Official Standard, there are two categories of Tequila: “100% Agave Tequila” and the basic “Tequila” (also known as mixed or mixto tequila, because it is made from 51% agave sugars and 49% other sugars). The most popular and economical Tequila is the mixto category; however, the highest quality Tequila is without a doubt an original and authentic “100% Agave Tequila”.
There are four types of Tequila:
- Blanco (also known as Silver, White or Platinum), which is bottled straight from the still with no aging;
- Rested or Reposado which must rest at least two months in oak barrels;
- Aged or Añejo which requires a minimum of one year in oak barrels, and
- Extra Aged or Extra Añejo that requires a minimum of three years in oak barrels. .