Upon taking up a short masterclass during an expo in Singapore this year, I realized there was much more to tequila than just shots and bad hangovers. There are in fact many different kinds of tequila, more than just what we see being offered to us at bars and clubs, and that there are strict rules when it comes to classifying this crowd favorite party mixer.
The first thing you must know is that there is tequila and then there is mezcal. Mezcal is made from any of the various kinds of agave plants while tequila is only made from the blue agave plant. To understand it fully we must first appreciate how it is grown and made. Agave is a type of succulent in which its bulb or the ‘piña’ is what is used to create the drink. After the bulb gets baked, the juice is then extracted and fermented and that is how we get tequila. Although that sounds fairly simple, there are more layers to it.
If you’ve ever seen tequila in stores you’ll notice that they come in different colors. Some are clear while some are in varied shades of gold. This will indicate the aging process it went through. There are 4 different kinds of tequila that are based on the aging process.
Blanco
This is what is usually labeled as ‘silver’. It can be aged for about a month or two or it can skip the aging process completely. When you order a margarita or any common tequila based cocktail, this is probably what is being used since it has a sharp flavor profile which is probably why some people are put off from consuming it.
Reposado
The word reposado means ‘rested’ and that is exactly what this type of tequila has gone through. This kind of tequila has usually been resting for around 2-11 months. It will have a different flavor profile to Blanco since it will adapt some flavor from whatever barrel it has been resting in. Usually it is more warm in flavor so if you are put off from the sharpness of a Blanco, then maybe try out a Reposado next time.
Añejo
Anejo means old so you can probably already guess that this type of tequila has been aging for longer than a Reposado. This type is aged from anywhere between a year or 3 years. It is also usually aged in an oak barrel which is the same as when aging whisky.
Extra Anejo
This is aged for over 3 years and so it is probably the most flavorful and is darkest in color. What’s interesting about this kind of tequila is that it can be aged in more than one type of barrel which means that its flavor profile is more complex. This kind of tequila can be compared to whisky and cognac because of its complexity.
When it comes to exporting and classifying tequila there are very strict rules in place that must be followed. In a similar way that other countries protect and regulate their locally made spirits, Mexico is no different. For a drink to be called tequila it must be ‘100% Agave’, if it does not say that on the bottle when you are purchasing it, then know that it is not real tequila. If you happen to pick up something that does not have that label then it is classified or better known as a ‘mixto’. If the tequila you are drinking has other stronger flavors that come through then it means it probably contains additives and such.
Another thing to remember when consuming tequila is that contrary to popular belief, it is not actually meant to be drunk in the form of shots and that real tequila shouldn’t give you a hangover. Tequila is meant to be sipped on similar to whisky, bourbon, or even vodka. However, due to pop culture and what we see in movies and online, we have created a party culture in which tequila is consumed in the form of shots. Lastly, of course if you drink enough of it, you will get drunk, there’s not much we can do about that. However, if it’s real tequila, you shouldn’t have a pounding headache and the other notable symptoms of a hangover the next day. What will cause a hangover are the mixto drinks. This is due to all the other ingredients they add in with the tequila that gives you the hangover. On your next night out or even night in, if you want to be strategic and avoid that deadly feeling the next day you now know what to do.
If you want to explore the golden (or clear) world of tequila whether that is with friends on a night out or even in the comfort of your own home, just remember these quick facts that will help you decide which tequila you’ll like best. If possible, the best way to discover different tequilas is to do a blind taste test. Just leave it to your taste buds and senses, and remember, stick to the real thing!
