TEQUILA Flashcards
(13 cards)
Is tequila made from cactus?
No! It’s made from the blue agave plant, not cactus. Specifically, from the piña (heart) of the plant.
What are the steps in tequila production?
Harvest piñas (blue agave hearts)
Cook to extract sugars → forms aguamiel
Crush the cooked piñas to release juice
Ferment the juice + aguamiel
Double distill in pot or column still (up to ~52–53% ABV)
When is a spirit allowed to be called tequila?
Only when:
It’s made in Jalisco (and a few other Mexican states)
Contains at least 51% sugars from blue agave
What is 100% Puro de Agave tequila?
All sugars come only from blue agave. Labeled “100% agave” — premium quality.
What is mixto tequila (regular)?
Made with at least 51% blue agave sugars, but the rest (up to 49%) comes from cane sugar — not other agaves.
Silver/Plata tequila
Unaged, bottled right after distillation
Gold/Oro/Joven tequila
Unaged with added caramel or blended with aged tequila
Reposado
Aged 2–12 months in large oak vats (10,000–30,000 L)
Añejo tequila
Aged 1–3 years in max 600-liter barrels
Muy Añejo/Extra Añejo:
Aged over 3 years in small oak barrels
How is mezcal different from tequila?
Agave Type: Tequila = only blue agave; Mezcal = many types
Region: Mezcal is mainly from Oaxaca
Cooking: Tequila = steam ovens; Mezcal = underground pits (smoky!)
Distillation: Mezcal needs only one distillation
Aging: Usually unaged, but can be
Worm: Optional, often in cheaper bottles for marketing
Which brands are top-selling tequilas globally?
auza – 2.7M 9-liter cases
Patrón – 2.5M
Don Julio – 1.5M
El Jimador – 1.3M
Hornitos – 1.3M
Olmeca Altos – 1.1M
What gives mezcal its signature flavor?
The underground pit roasting of agave piñas — results in a smoky, earthy character.
