When folks first consume tequila, often it is in the form of a shot or in a cocktail. That’s okay, of course—we all have to start somewhere. But there’s so much more to tequila than just being a party spirit. Although whiskey is generally the spirit that most drinkers turn to when they want to geek out, there’s a lot to ponder with regards to tequila production as well. But if you really want to become a tequila aficionado, you should acquaint yourself with some tequila terms first. Once you get a few tequila terms under your belt, it will help you understand the labels and allow you to have c ..read more

In just about any liquor store you can find vodkas, rums and whiskeys flavored with everything from citrus and cucumber to cotton candy and maple syrup-smothered pancakes. But in recent years another spirit category has crept in amongst the usual flavored suspects: tequila. Flavored tequila could not legally be labeled as tequila—instead, it was a “tequila product”—until the Tequila Regulatory Council of Mexico updated its regulations in 2004. Since then, the availability of and demand for flavored tequilas has grown. Naturally, this has encouraged more companies to get in on the action, parti ..read more

Although we may want to drink top shelf, our budgets don’t always allow it. But thanks to the popularity of the category, there are many budget tequila bottles under $30 to choose from. While these picks aren’t made for sipping, they are fine to shoot or use for cocktails. Knowing which budget tequila bottles are the best comes in handy, especially when you’re ready to make a batch of Margaritas or Palomas. The most important thing to note when making a purchase is to make sure that your bottles say 100% agave. Otherwise you’re drinking a mixto tequila which only requires 51% agave to be inclu ..read more

Few events or celebrations bring more Americans out to the bar than Cinco de Mayo. Of course, Cinco de Mayo 2020 will predominantly be a stay-at-home affair. All the better then to try your hand at mixing up a few delicious Margaritas at home. These Margarita variations are easy to execute and will amplify your home cocktailing skills. They’ll also work great anytime of the year, or even for future Cinco de Mayos, when you want to skip the crowds and lines altogether and stay home by choice, sipping on a marvelous Margarita or two. Margarita Variations: Use Mezcal “Our Mayahuel has classic pro ..read more

Aged tequilas such as añejo or extra añejo tequila are often suggested to whiskey drinkers to try. This isn’t too far fetched an idea, actually. Tequila makers typically employ used whiskey barrels — usually bourbon or Tennessee whiskey — to age their tequilas. These used barrels will naturally influence these Mexican spirits with flavors of whiskey. So, suggesting that whiskey drinkers sample aged tequila makes sense. However, problems can arise when tequila producers let the whiskey barrels overwhelm the tequila flavors. At that point, you might as well cut out the middle man and order a bou ..read more

Although mezcal is one of the most buzzed about spirit categories, we’ve found that some great styles are still flying under the radar. Pechuga mezcal is one of those limited edition releases that you’ll want to know about. For starters, let’s begin with the name. Pechuga means “breast” in Spanish. You heard that right. This type of mezcal is an age-old tradition among mezcaleros throughout Mexico. It is produced in tiny amounts, traditionally for friends and family on very special occasions. The exact recipes are usually closely-guarded family secrets. Fortunately for us, there are a growing ..read more

Mezcal has exploded in popularity over the past few years. In fact, these days it’s pretty unusual to walk into a cocktail bar and NOT see mezcal featured in a cocktail. At some really great bars, you’ll even find flights of mezcal to tickle your tastebuds. That said, there is still a lot to learn in regards to the category—from the production to the taste. One thing to consider is that mezcal is a lot like wine. Just as there are many different varieties of grapes to make wine, so too are there many agave varieties to make mezcal. However, the agave variety most seen around the world is Agave ..read more

The popularity of agave spirits from Mexico is booming here in the United States. As a result, opportunistic distillers have begun producing their own American-made renditions. But tequila and mezcal have geographic indicators which limit production to certain states in Mexico. Agave spirits produced outside of their traditional regions simply don’t use those designations. What’s happening right now is a rare look at a nascent category beginning entirely from scratch:  American agave spirits. Starting a Movement One man at the forefront of the movement is Craig Reynolds. The former chief of st ..read more

What do the Margarita, Paloma and Bloody Maria have in common? These delightful brunch and beach companions all employ the same base spirit: blanco tequila. This uniquely Mexican spirit is the crystal clear product of roasting, fermenting and distilling the Blue Weber agave.  The result is bottled after spending less than 30 days in a barrel, if it’s aged at all. Blanco tequila typically imparts a slightly earthy flavor and wonderfully warming sensation to any cocktail it fortifies. Often, however, we lose the spirit’s more subtle characteristics when it’s mixed with equally potent ingredients ..read more

Spirits in the US are required to be bottled at a minimum of 80 proof (40% alcohol-by-volume or ABV). Exactly why this now-standard proof exists in the US is a post for another day (law, tradition, cost). Although some spirits are perfectly fine at 80 proof, others would really benefit from being just a touch higher. This is especially true for making cocktails. Because when a spirit’s proof is lowered, so is its flavor. And yes, so is that oomph that comes with an increase in alcohol. If you’re a whiskey drinker, you’ve no doubt tried barrel proof or cask strength whiskeys. These high proof s ..read more