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Author Topic: Tequila 101  (Read 617 times)

Offline rpm

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Tequila 101
« on: April 12, 2003, 01:07:29 AM »
This kinda got started in Brews & Views, but I thought I'd give you a quick Tequila lesson.
FIRST: I've got over 20 years SELLING spirits (consumption really is a sideline) so I've learned a LOT from the manufacture's side of it.

All tequila is made from a specific region in Mexico with the bulk of it in Jalisco, specifically Tequila. (Who woulda guessed?) The are only 3 or 4 major producers and they are given a NOM number for each still.If you look at the NOM on a number of different brands you will find similar NOM's. The point? A lot of people buy the reject distillate and redistill it or mix it with neutral spirits (Vodka which can be made from ANYTHING) and put their label on it.

 Tequila is divided by different ages and purities.
 MIXTO (Jose Cuervo, Sauza, Store Brands) are a mixture of any proportion. They contain any where between 10% and 99% Tequila. The rest is Neutral Spirits (cheapest Vodka). The difference between Gold and Silver at this stage is food coloring. Sad but True!
 BLANCO or silver is straight from the still (after cutting for proof) with NO aging, no color.
 REPOSADO MUST be aged for a minimum of 6 months in New Oak Barrels by Law, but it may be aged up to 24 months (Gran Reposado).
 ANEJO MUST be aged at least 24 months in New Oak Barrels.

 It does not matter what Brand or price it is, if it says 100% Agave (pure Tequila, no Vodka) and has Blanco,Reposado,or Anejo it is PURE TEQUILA. Your head will thank You.

MESCAL is the same beverage, but not made in the specific region as defined by Mexican Law.
« Last Edit: April 12, 2003, 01:10:26 AM by rpm »
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Offline Leslie

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Tequila 101
« Reply #1 on: April 12, 2003, 01:22:36 AM »
A question about Mezcal...what is the caterpillar in the bottle all about?



Les
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Offline Sandman

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« Reply #2 on: April 12, 2003, 01:31:49 AM »
A few things...

Mixto- In 1995, the legal miminum was raised to 60% agave.

Blanco- Can be bottled immediately after distillation or allowed to rest in stainless steel tanks for a period not to exceed 60 days.

Reposado- Must be placed in wooden tanks or barrels for not less than two months. Usually stored in tanks from 10,000 to 30,000 liters.

Anejo- Must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters, for no less than one year.

Mezcal is not the same beverage. It is made from a different agave than the blue agave used for tequila.


If it doesn't say 100% agave... don't drink it.
« Last Edit: April 12, 2003, 01:35:27 AM by Sandman »
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sand

Offline Sandman

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Tequila 101
« Reply #3 on: April 12, 2003, 01:34:53 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Leslie
A question about Mezcal...what is the caterpillar in the bottle all about?



Les


Nowadays, it's largely a gimmick. There are a few stories behind it. One states that by placing the worm in the bottle, you can determine if the mezcal is safe to drink. If the worm pickles, it's good. If it decays, it's not good.
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sand

Offline AKIron

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Tequila 101
« Reply #4 on: April 12, 2003, 01:43:27 AM »
So what's the snake in the soju all about then? Have to say, it tasted pretty nasty. :D
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Offline rpm

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Salute Sandman!
« Reply #5 on: April 12, 2003, 02:35:05 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Sandman_SBM
A few things...

Mixto- In 1995, the legal miminum was raised to 60% agave.

 Mixtos made and bottled in Mexico can contain up to 40% alcohol derived from other sugars. Mixtos that have been shipped in bulk to other countries for bottling (primarily the United States) may have the agave content further reduced to 51% by the foreign bottler, however I have sold products labled Tequila Liqueur that contained 10% agave. Buyer Beware!
Quote
Originally posted by Sandman_SBM
Blanco- Can be bottled immediately after distillation or allowed to rest in stainless steel tanks for a period not to exceed 60 days.
TRUE, it has not been aged in New Oak Barrels. They can be either 100% agave or mixto.

Quote
Originally posted by Sandman_SBM
Reposado- Must be placed in wooden tanks or barrels for not less than two months. Usually stored in tanks from 10,000 to 30,000 liters..
TRUE, but it may not be 100% agave


Quote
Originally posted by Sandman_SBM
Anejo- Must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters, for no less than one year.
Sort of... it may be aged no less than 12 months. The best-quality anejos are aged 18 months to three years for mixtos, and up to four years for 100% agaves. Aging Tequila for more than four years is a matter of controversy.

Quote
Originally posted by Sandman_SBM
Mezcal is not the same beverage. It is made from a different agave than the blue agave used for tequila.

TRUE, sort of.. It can contain Blue Agave, but is not 100% and produced in Jalisco


Quote
Originally posted by Sandman_SBM
[BIf it doesn't say 100% agave... don't drink it. [/B]

TRUE TRUE TRUE!

My numbers were a wee bit off, but you are dead on Sandman
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Offline rpm

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About The WORM...
« Reply #6 on: April 12, 2003, 02:38:46 AM »
I was told by a Jose Cuervo executive that the worm was originally used to check purity. If the worm did not dissolve, it was safe to drink. From the very old days of everyone making their own. Hmm, does this explain my liver scan?
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My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.
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Offline majic

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Re: About The WORM...
« Reply #7 on: April 12, 2003, 07:45:18 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by rpm371
I was told by a Jose Cuervo executive that the worm was originally used to check purity. If the worm did not dissolve, it was safe to drink. From the very old days of everyone making their own. Hmm, does this explain my liver scan?




Right.  It's just traditional (or a gimmick) now.  I think what it was supposed to prove was alcohol content but I'm not 100% sure about that.
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Offline Fridaddy

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Tequila 101
« Reply #8 on: April 12, 2003, 04:25:46 PM »
May I refer you all to the book...

The book of Tequila, A complete guide.
Bob Emmons
ISBN 0-8126-9352-3
Open Court Publishing Chicago, Ill. USA

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0812695208/qid=1050182734/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/104-4086234-2272718?v=glance&s=books
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Offline Nilsen

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« Reply #9 on: April 12, 2003, 04:34:39 PM »
prefer rum for shots, but ill never let a fine Jose Cuervo slip past my line of sight without consuming it. :D
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Offline Sandman

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« Reply #10 on: April 12, 2003, 04:48:19 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Fridaddy
May I refer you all to the book...

The book of Tequila, A complete guide.
Bob Emmons
ISBN 0-8126-9352-3
Open Court Publishing Chicago, Ill. USA

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0812695208/qid=1050182734/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/104-4086234-2272718?v=glance&s=books



Got it... it's a great book.
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sand

Offline Dune

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Tequila 101
« Reply #11 on: April 12, 2003, 05:07:20 PM »
And I'll put a plug in for Don Julio Anejo.  On the rocks.  With a dash of lime.  Or not.

Second place goes to Patron Anejo in my book.
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Offline Leslie

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« Reply #12 on: April 12, 2003, 10:58:57 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Nilsen10
prefer rum for shots, but ill never let a fine Jose Cuervo slip past my line of sight without consuming it. :D




Rum is what the Mexicans drink.  Good 'ol Barcardi Puerto Rican Rum.:)



Les
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Offline Frogm4n

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Tequila 101
« Reply #13 on: April 13, 2003, 12:26:53 AM »
sammy hagars tequila rules.
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Offline Dune

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Tequila 101
« Reply #14 on: April 13, 2003, 02:15:12 AM »
For rum try Gosling's Black Seal.  Best booze there is.
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