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By Billy & Akaisha Karderl, RetireEarlyLifestyle.com
Special to the Financial Independence Hub
For most people in the United States and Canada, Tequila is a very misunderstood drink.
Images of college spring-break kids shooting shots, chanting “one tequila, two tequila, three tequila, FLOOR!” and wet T-shirt contests, with a headache the next morning usually prevent sophisticated people from pursuing the mysteries and finer pleasures that the National Drink of Mexico offers.
Let me help you with this, because there is so much to enjoy about this beverage. If you decide that you want to try tequila gently and possibly include it in your cabinet of fine liquors, take advantage of our simple guide below.
Your world will open.
Only choose 100% Blue Agave tequilas
Simply put, stay away from Mixtos and look for the 100% Agave denotation on the bottle.
A Mixto label might say “made from agave” but it won’t advertise 100% Agave. Mixtos have a lot of additives, other sugars, and impurities and these are the things that will give you a hangover the next morning.
If it doesn’t say 100% Agave, move on to the next bottle.
Three main styles – Blancos, Reposados, Anejos
Blancos: Generally, blanco tequilas are not aged, and have a fiery taste to them. Since all fine tequilas are meant to be sipped (like a fine cognac), if you are not inclined to a fiery POW! in the mouth, then for your initial purchase, we recommend that you move straight to the Reposados or an Anejo, for the smoother and sweeter flavor.
Reposados: These tequilas are aged in American or French white oak barrels for up to one year. Because of this aging, the intense fire of the drink has been somewhat mellowed, and you will taste the characteristics of the barrel. Most Reposados will have a golden color to them and a pleasing, slightly sweet flavor.
Anejos: Tequila that has been aged in a barrel for up to 3 years has been softened. It also will carry the distinguishing characteristics of the wooden barrel in the liquid and will be slightly sweet as well.
Sip / Don’t Shoot it down
Tequila is made from an indigenous plant unique to Mexico called agave. The soil in which the agave grows affects the taste of the end product. It can be sweet, spicy, fruity, earthy or woody. Also, if the agave has met with drought or weather variations, that can also affect the plant and therefore, the taste. This is similar to grape production for wine making.
Producing tequila is a centuries-old tradition handed down from generation to generation, and each distillery has their own way of accenting the flavor of their particular brand.
If you shoot down tequila in one open-throated gulp, you miss all the delicious complexity of the agave flavor. You are also disrespecting the centuries of hand-crafted quality that the Master Distiller has brought to his tequila.
Sipping is recommended.
First find a small wine glass, champagne flute or a brandy snifter.
