Tequila
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Tequila is a Mexican vodka that is also a type of Mezcal, made only from the fermented juice of one variety of blue agave. It has been known for centuries, since the time of the Aztecs, who drank a low- percentage drink known as pulque, reminiscent of today's tequila. The composition of pulque was changed by the Spanish people, who subjected it to distillation, and this way mezcal was created. The first factory of this spirit was opened in the year 1600 in the town of Tequila (the name tequila began to be used in the 19th century). Today, tequila can only be produced in the Jalisco region from only one variety of agave, known as blue agave, tequilana weber azul or Maguey. The alcohol content in tequila must be between 35% and 55% alcohol, and it does not have to be aged. Production must take place in the Jalisco region or around Guadalajara. Only tequila that is not 100% agave can be bottled outside Mexico.
The origin of the name of the above drink is somewhat problematic. It is assumed that it comes from the language of the Nahuatl tribe and means, according to various translations, "place where plants are grown", "place of wild herbs", "place where they cut", "workplace", "stone that cuts" or from combinations of two words from the same language: tequitl (task, duty, work) and tlan (place).
The first licensed tequila maker was Jose Antonio Cuervo (known as "Joe Crow"), who was given the right to farm from the King of Spain in the year 1758. The first official distillery in Mexico, exactly in the year 1795, was opened by his son Jose Maria Cuervo. Today there are about 70 distilleries that release around 500 brands of tequila to the market.
The two basic types of tequila are: blanco (silver) - not aged, bottled immediately after distillation, and oro (golden) - aged in barrels, sometimes "enriched" with various flavor substances (caramel, fructose, glycerin, wood aromas). Additionally, now there is also a special tequila mixto (can be blanco and oro), which is not made of 100% blue agave juice.
Due to the aging time, there are several types of oro tequila: reposado - aged from 2 months to 1 year, anejo - aged in oak for 1 to 3 years, extra anejo (muy anejo, reserva) - aged for 3 to 9 years. The name mexcal comes from the native Nahuatl language and literally means 'cooked agave'. However, there are fundamental differences between mezcal and tequila, and the most important of them are: tequila is made from only one variety of blue agave, while mezcal is made from as many as 20 varieties of green agave, and produced in “home mede” way - from almost 50 additional varieties. Mezcal is made from the stem (core) of the agave (corazon, pina) and tequila from its juice. Mezcal is distilled once and tequila is distilled twice. Tequila is only a variety of mezcal, so traditionally in Mexico, mezcal is much more appreciated. In the case of mezcal, like tequlia, there are three basic types: blanco, reposado, and anejo; mezcal anejo - matures for over a year.
In our portfolio you will find several dozen tequilas and mezcals, from the simplest to more outstanding and well known all over the world, some handcrafted and limited. We invite you to see for yourself what we have to offer!
