Last Tequila Standing: Tasting a Horizontal Flight

Proper Tequila Tasting Technique Courtesy of Tequila Rack

Evaluation | Tasting Notes | Equipment

Proper Technique

THE 4 “S” PROCESS OF TASTING 100% AGAVE TEQUILA

SEE IT
Begin by examining the color of the Tequila against a white background, tilting the glass away from you. Look for bright and, in the case of Reposado and Añejo, saturated color. Blanco should be clear and “crystal like” without occlusions or sediment.

SWIRL IT
To release the aromas of a spirit, swirl it in the glass and then give it a deep sniff. Much of what you will taste is a result of these aromas. Repeat as necessary, taking notes, and enjoying the aroma.

SIP IT
Take a good-size sip. Hold the spirits in your mouth; swish it around (like mouthwash but less vigorously), allowing it to coat your entire palate. What does the Tequila feel like? Is it thin and acidic? Is it rich and velvety? Does it give your mouth a warm glow?

SAVOR IT
Draw in some air between your front teeth or across your tongue and “gargle” the spirits in your mouth. (We said “in your mouth” – no bathroom noises needed). Keep in mind that your tongue can identify only four basic tastes: saltiness, bitterness, sweetness and acidity. All other flavors actually reach your brain as aromas through the retro-nasal passage at the back of your throat. By “chewing” the spirit, or combining it with air, you cause its volatile elements to vaporize. That’s a good thing.

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Last Tequila Standing: Vida Tequila

 

Vida Tequila SOPHISTICATION + PASSION

Greatness is rarely a product of research and formula alone. True greatness comes from the passion, pride, and relentless pursuit of perfection. Our entire line of ultra-premium, award-winning tequilas is crafted in Arandas, Mexico, from a single ingredient: 100% pure, highland-grown Tequliana Weber Blue Agave. Only 60% of the distilled product ever makes it into the bottles through the process of cutting the Heads and Tails. To ensure purity of flavor, the bottles are washed in their respective style of tequila before being filled with the finished product. While the Blanco is bottled after the distillation process, the Reposado is aged in white oak barrels for six months, and the Anejo is aged in French oak barrels for 24 months. We embrace the process and strive to make the most sophisticated product; they are the keys to greatness uncommon.

Find Vida Tequila Online here

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Last Tequila Standing: Tributo Tequila

 

Heritage of Tributo Tequila

What makes a place, more than just a place?

Is it the beauty of its natural features? The traditions carried down by its people? Or the praise and recognition it receives from the rest of the world? For the Tierra de Agaves Distillery, and the home of Tributo Tequila, it’s all of these, and more.

The Location

It’s good to know where you come from. In the picturesque central-pacific of Mexico lies the colonial town of Tequila, and our home, Tierra de Agaves. The estate itself was founded in 2004 by Francisco Beckmann, though we’ve been working these grounds for over eight generations, as long as the history of Tequila itself. Our estate includes a vast agave reserve and our centrally-located distillery and bottling facility. Having every part of the Tequila making process in one place ensures that we can closely monitor every facet of its production—from the field, to the factory, to the bottle.

Find Tributo Online

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Last Tequila Standing: Tasting a Vertical Flight

 

Alquimia Tequila

Alquimia Tequila is an ultra premium award-winning organic tequila. Our handcrafted product is 100 % natural, USDA Certified Organic, made of 100% blue agave Tequilana Weber. All of our certified organic agave is estate grown on our family ranch in Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico.

We carefully select the best and healthiest agaves, only harvesting plants that are at their peak of quality and ripeness. Our quality control process demands that we closely monitor the cooking, fermentation and distillation at every single step. This ensures that our tequilas are consistently of the highest quality possible.

Our project is completely sustainable and eco-friendly. Our tequilas are bottled in specially designed bottles made of recycled glass by a family of glass blowers in Tonalá, Jalisco. All aspects of our artisanal production reflect a proper balance of the old world and the new: a combination of alchemy, modern science, and rich culture. The making of Tequila Alquimia is just as much an art as it is a science.

Our tequilas have won a total of 25 gold medals in the past 5 years in the two most prestigious international spirits competitions: the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the Chicago Beverage Testing Institutes International Review of Spirits. Tequila Alquimia was also voted the #1 new tequila by GQ Magazine’s men.style.com.

As a family owned company, Tequila Alquimia allows us to contribute to our communities, both in the United States and in Mexico. Tequila Alquimia is our vehicle for the promotion of organics and sustainable agriculture. Our organic protocol, which we teach to growers throughout Mexico, is the tool we use to improve the quality of our soils, protect the health of the farm workers and consumers, and make a positive impact on the environment.

We hope you enjoy our tequila as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to you.
¡Salud!

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Learn all about tequila from field to glass and then get paid to share your love of agave spirits with others! Buy Them Both Now!

Last Tequila Standing: Alquimia Natural Margarita

 

Alquimia Tequila

Alquimia Tequila is an ultra premium award-winning organic tequila. Our handcrafted product is 100 % natural, USDA Certified Organic, made of 100% blue agave Tequilana Weber. All of our certified organic agave is estate grown on our family ranch in Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico.

We carefully select the best and healthiest agaves, only harvesting plants that are at their peak of quality and ripeness. Our quality control process demands that we closely monitor the cooking, fermentation and distillation at every single step. This ensures that our tequilas are consistently of the highest quality possible.

Our project is completely sustainable and eco-friendly. Our tequilas are bottled in specially designed bottles made of recycled glass by a family of glass blowers in Tonalá, Jalisco. All aspects of our artisanal production reflect a proper balance of the old world and the new: a combination of alchemy, modern science, and rich culture. The making of Tequila Alquimia is just as much an art as it is a science.

Our tequilas have won a total of 25 gold medals in the past 5 years in the two most prestigious international spirits competitions: the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the Chicago Beverage Testing Institutes International Review of Spirits. Tequila Alquimia was also voted the #1 new tequila by GQ Magazine’s men.style.com.

As a family owned company, Tequila Alquimia allows us to contribute to our communities, both in the United States and in Mexico. Tequila Alquimia is our vehicle for the promotion of organics and sustainable agriculture. Our organic protocol, which we teach to growers throughout Mexico, is the tool we use to improve the quality of our soils, protect the health of the farm workers and consumers, and make a positive impact on the environment.

We hope you enjoy our tequila as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to you.
¡Salud!

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Learn all about tequila from field to glass and then get paid to share your love of agave spirits with others! Buy Them Both Now!

Last Tequila Standing: Casa ZG Sangrita

 

Casa ZG Sangrita

History of Sangrita

Sangrita has its origins more than 60 years ago, in the Lake Chapala region of Jalisco.

The first Sangrita was offered by the Sanchez family in their restaurant to accompany their home-made tequila; an artisanal tequila brewed according to traditional methods.

To lessen the impact of the strong smell and taste of the the home-made tequila, fresh orange slices, chile and salt were offered between tequila sips.

Over time, the juice of oranges, the chile and salt were combined to produce a drink whose red color would give it its legendary name, “Sangrita” (little blood).

Sangrita Now…

A new wave of tequilas were introduced in the 1990’s and with them an air of sophistication and a smoother taste. The experience of enjoying a tequila  is evolving from shooting a caballito to sipping it, there is no longer a need to lessen the impact and by slowing the process, Sangrita is becoming more of a companion to these new tequilas.

It has become an alternative beverage to enjoy. It is served in tequila flights, in cocktails, or in the most traditional manner, a “completo”. Sangrita will undoubtedly elevate your tequila experience.

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Last Tequila Standing: Ekeco Tequila

 

Ekeco Tequila

Tequila EkecoDe origen natural y ecológico con singular identidad y pureza por la materia prima con que se elabora, que proviene del agave azul, este tequila tiene que esperar hasta ocho años desde la siembra y fertilización natural con composta y sin ningún tipo de químicos, del Agave Tequilana weber variedad azul, único tipo de planta entre más de 200 especies de agaváceas, hasta llegar a tener la madurez necesaria y entrar al proceso de elaboración.

Esta singularidad lo hace único entre las bebidas espirituosas del mundo, cuyos ciclos de elaboración con mucho más cortos, menos costosos y menos laboriosos.

Ekeco Tequila ofrece un sabor único que no puede ser jamás repetido por otras casas tequileras aunque provenga del mismo agave. La razón realmente nadie la sabe, pero cada producción cuenta con una personalidad única que le da su propia identidad la cual no puede ser igualada a ninguna otra bebida con clase mundial y Denominación de Origen.

Desde siempre, cada fabricante le da un toque personal a su bebida, cada tequilero ha heredado de sus padres y abuelos su estilo único de elaboración, sus secretos de familia se transmitieron de generación en generación.

La materia prima utilizada en la elaboración del tequila Ekeco es también 100% orgánica. El agua por ejemplo, es distinta en cada región del territorio protegido por la Denominación de Origen, la tierra tiene diferentes componentes orgánicos y minerales ya que el sol vierte sus rayos dando un calentamiento distinto de acuerdo a la posición geográfica.

Entre las regiones más importantes de producción del tequila, se encuentra “Los Altos de Jalisco”, en la cual el tequila que se produce tiene gustos más frutales, florales y perfumados.

En el producto final interviene desde luego el equipo que se utiliza, si se trata de un horno tradicional de mampostería o si se cuece en autoclave de acero inoxidable, si el agave se muele en modernos molinos o en el tradicional Tahona, si se destila en alambique de cobre o en el de acero inoxidable, si se fermenta con la fibra de agave o sin ella y con qué levadura se enriquece el proceso.

Sea cual sea el método, la bebida que reconozca el Consejo Regulador de tequila, organismo que vela por la calidad y respeto de la Denominación de Origen desde su creación en 1994, siempre será un tequila auténtico y de pureza natural.

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Last Tequila Standing: Crotalo Tequila Shake & Snake Margarita

 

About Crotalo Tequila

Crotalo Tequila is a traditionally crafted, limited production premium tequila. One hundred percent blue agave is hand selected and harvested with a coa by our jimadors, ensuring that only the finest pínas are used to produce Crotalo Tequila.​

Our triple distilled plata followed by our double distilled reposado, añejo, extra añejo reserva and extra añejo gran reserva have received special permission from the CRT(Consejo Regulador del Tequila​) for our proprietary barrel aging process which provides our tequila with character, taste and quality that are unmatched.

It is our attention to tradition and detail that makes Crotalo Tequila

“Strikingly Smooth …… Just The Right Bite!”​

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Learn all about tequila from field to glass and then get paid to share your love of agave spirits with others! Buy Them Both Now!

Last Tequila Standing: Crotalo Tequila

 

About Crotalo Tequila

Crotalo Tequila is a traditionally crafted, limited production premium tequila. One hundred percent blue agave is hand selected and harvested with a coa by our jimadors, ensuring that only the finest pínas are used to produce Crotalo Tequila.​

Our triple distilled plata followed by our double distilled reposado, añejo, extra añejo reserva and extra añejo gran reserva have received special permission from the CRT(Consejo Regulador del Tequila​) for our proprietary barrel aging process which provides our tequila with character, taste and quality that are unmatched.

It is our attention to tradition and detail that makes Crotalo Tequila

“Strikingly Smooth …… Just The Right Bite!”​

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Learn all about tequila from field to glass and then get paid to share your love of agave spirits with others! Buy Them Both Now!

Last Tequila Standing: Cuestion Tequila Uptown

 

We at Cuestión Tequila believe that everything in life should be cuestioned, for it is the pursuit of wisdom, wonder and shared adventure that makes life itself worth living.

Founded in 2007 by Jose de Jesus Dominguez Figueroa and his partner Jose de Julio Marquez Ochoa, Cuestión Tequila is 500 years in the making. The ancient Aztecs of Jalisco, Mexico, masters of the alchemistic arts, were the first to distill the sweet nectar of the Blue Weber Agave plant into one of the world’s most cherished spirits.

Cuestión Agave

All tequila begins with one single ingredient; the agave plant. But not all agave is created equal. It takes nearly 10 years for each Blue Weber agave plant to age in the fields of Jalisco, Mexico, weathering brutal temperatures and unforgiving sun until it is strong and big enough to be considered “mature.”

While others choose instead to harvest plants after just 2 or 3 years, we cuestion the need to sacrifice quality for profit, and allow our plants to age fully in the earth. Hand-picked by los jimadores, noble farmers of the fields, each blade is sheared from the core in preparation for its journey.

Cuestión Cooking, Pressing and Fermenting

The next step in tequila distillation is the roasting of the jima or “pineapple” that remains when the agave’s leaves have been sheered from the stock.

It is cut in half and roasted for 72 two hours, undergoing two rounds of great pressure and high temperature, softening the fibers and caramelizing the plant’s natural sugars.

Every last drop of nectar is then pressed and fermented.

Cuestión Distillation

Our distillery is a masterful blend of art and science, where fire, steel and water transform our desert plants into rolling caldrons of liquid gold. What separates all spirits from their cousins, beer and wine, is distillation, which is the process of evaporating alcohol from the wort.

Some spirits, such as vodka and gin, should be distilled many times to extract only pure alcohol from the liquid, but the world’s finest tequilas are distilled only twice.

The essence of roasted agave, spices and rich flavors each plant has developed after 10 years in the ground should be cherished, and when it’s done well, double distillation tequila should be smooth and refreshing.

Cuestión Barrel Aging

We age our Tequilas 50% – 300% longer than almost any other premium tequila on the market, and there is no greater vessel in the world for aging distilled spirits than whiskey-cured, charcoal finished American Oak barrels.

We pride ourselves on importing ours from the best-known whiskey company in the world. In fact, when we first brought Cuestion Tequila to the United States, we did so in Tennessee, home of the world-famous Jack Daniels distillery.

Cuestión Partnerships

Jason and JesusOn a fateful visit to the white sand beaches of Playa del Carmen in the Summer of 2009, American importer, Jason Fandrich, had his first taste of Cuestión Tequila, and the rest, as they say, is history.

He sought out owners Jesus and Julio, and the trio began the process of exporting the product world-wide. In the Winter of 2011, their dreams became a reality, as their first case of product made its way across the US border and will soon be available world-wide.

Thank you for reading our story! If you would like to join us in our adventure, please feel free to contact us here through the website and tell your friends about us on Facebook and Twitter.

Until then, Cuestión Everything, friends! And stay tuned as our saga unfolds.

 

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Learn all about tequila from field to glass and then get paid to share your love of agave spirits with others! Buy Them Both Now!