General Tequila Lesson

WHAT IS TEQUILA?

Tequila is a distillation of the fermented juice or sap of the mescal plant. The fermented juice of the mescal plant is known as “pulque,” and was a highly prized drink of the Aztecs. After distillation, Tequila is drawn off and bottled or shipped to the US. in bulk. Gold Tequila is aged in vats for at least four years.

All Tequila sold in the US. is produced in the area around the city of Tequila, state of Jalisco. When produced elsewhere, the drink is called mezcal.

HOW TEQUILA IS MADE

The mescal plant is the only source for Tequila. The beverage is distilled from the juice or sap of the mescal, which is a type of agave plant that resembles the cactus. In this country, it is known as the century plant or American aloe. The mescal plant is native to the desert areas of Mexico and the southwestern US., where it has grown wild for thousands of years and was prized for its sweet abundant juice that fermented rapidly. The development of Tequila stemmed from the discovery that a distillate of pulque produced an excellent brandy-like liquor.

Tequila, as consumed in Mexico, is unaged and usually bottled at 80-86 proof. However, some producers do age Tequila in seasoned, 50-gallon white oak casks imported from the United States. In aging, Tequila becomes golden in color and acquires a pleasant mellowness without altering its inherent taste characteristics. Tequila aged one year is identified as “Anejo.” If it is aged as much as 2-4 years, it can acquire a further identification as “Muy Anejo.”

Unlike a grain or grape distillate, the distillate of mescal (from which Tequila is made) is virtually free of congeners, so aging is not important. White Tequila is drawn into vats after distilling and bottled on demand. Golden Tequila is usually aged in used whiskey barrels, long enough to impart color, after which it is ready for bottling.