All About Tequila
There a LOT of different liquors available to use when you shoot a Savage Scorpion, and an infinite number of cocktails to make with them. We are dedicating some of our blogs to taking a closer look at these different spirits, and this week is all about tequila!
Many people are unaware that there is more than one type of tequila offering a variety of different flavors. They can be used in more than just margaritas too. Get ready to learn all about this fantastic alcohol that our unique drink garnish is perfectly at home in.
What is Tequila?
Tequila is a type of alcoholic drink that is made from the blue agave plant. Mezcal is another spirit that some think is tequila, but in reality, while tequila is a type of mezcal, mezcal is not a type of tequila.
Confused? Let us clear that up. Mezcal can be made from a variety of agave plants, but it is only considered tequila when at least 51% of it is made from blue agave in particular. Mezcal is the bottle that may contain a worm. Tequila does not, but you can add your own Savage Scorpion to it instead!
Another distinction of true tequila is the fact that it must be produced in the state of Jalisco and limited municipalities in the states of Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. If it is made anywhere else, it is technically classified as an agave spirit. (Similar to how true champagne must be made in Champagne, France, and all others are considered sparkling wine.)
Tequila Varieties
There are two basic categories of tequila: 100% agave and mixtos. The 100% agave variety is self-explanatory. The mixtos contains at least 51% agave and the rest is made up of other sugars. Tequila is usually bottled in one of the following categories.
Blanco
Also knows as white or plata (silver,) this type of tequila is bottled or stored immediately after distillation. If it is aged at all, it is less than 2 months, usually in stainless steel tanks. 100% agave blanco tequila is harsher than other varieties with the bold flavors of the distilled agave up front.
Gold
Colorings and flavorings are typically added prior to bottling to give the liquid its gold appearance. These are less expensive and often used for making mixed drinks. Other types of gold or "joven" tequila can be the result of blending blanco with a reposado or anejo, which keeps the spirit's 100% agave classification.
Reposado
This type of tequila is aged from 2-12 months in oak barrels. Those wooden barrels give it a golden hue and add to the flavor of the agave. Different types of wooden barrels can give the tequila different flavors, such as whiskey, cognac, or wine barrels.
Anejo
Aged anywhere from 1-3 years, this type must be kept in wooden barrels that do not exceed 600 liters. The flavor achieved after that long of a wait is smoother, richer, and more complex and the color is more of an amber.
Extra Anejo
This one is ultra-aged, kept in barrels for a minimum of 3 years. These barrels also may not be over 600 liters. This particular classification was only established 12 years ago in the summer of 2006. The extended aging process makes the tequila much darker in color and quite possibly the smoothest, richest tequila you have ever tasted. After the aging process, the alcohol content must be diluted by adding distilled water.
While margaritas are probably the most popular tequila cocktail, this terrific spirit can be used in lots of different recipes. Other often-ordered drinks include the Tequila Sunrise (tequila, orange juice, and grenadine) and the Bloody Maria (a Bloody Mary with tequila in place of the vodka.)
Our favorite tequila cocktail is obviously any one with a Savage Scorpion added to the mix! The next time that you are searching for a delicious cocktail or looking for a fun shot idea, add a Savage Scorpion to your drink and show everyone just how savage you really are!
Many people are unaware that there is more than one type of tequila offering a variety of different flavors. They can be used in more than just margaritas too. Get ready to learn all about this fantastic alcohol that our unique drink garnish is perfectly at home in.
What is Tequila?
Tequila is a type of alcoholic drink that is made from the blue agave plant. Mezcal is another spirit that some think is tequila, but in reality, while tequila is a type of mezcal, mezcal is not a type of tequila.
Confused? Let us clear that up. Mezcal can be made from a variety of agave plants, but it is only considered tequila when at least 51% of it is made from blue agave in particular. Mezcal is the bottle that may contain a worm. Tequila does not, but you can add your own Savage Scorpion to it instead!
Another distinction of true tequila is the fact that it must be produced in the state of Jalisco and limited municipalities in the states of Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. If it is made anywhere else, it is technically classified as an agave spirit. (Similar to how true champagne must be made in Champagne, France, and all others are considered sparkling wine.)
Tequila Varieties
There are two basic categories of tequila: 100% agave and mixtos. The 100% agave variety is self-explanatory. The mixtos contains at least 51% agave and the rest is made up of other sugars. Tequila is usually bottled in one of the following categories.
Blanco
Also knows as white or plata (silver,) this type of tequila is bottled or stored immediately after distillation. If it is aged at all, it is less than 2 months, usually in stainless steel tanks. 100% agave blanco tequila is harsher than other varieties with the bold flavors of the distilled agave up front.
Gold
Colorings and flavorings are typically added prior to bottling to give the liquid its gold appearance. These are less expensive and often used for making mixed drinks. Other types of gold or "joven" tequila can be the result of blending blanco with a reposado or anejo, which keeps the spirit's 100% agave classification.
Reposado
This type of tequila is aged from 2-12 months in oak barrels. Those wooden barrels give it a golden hue and add to the flavor of the agave. Different types of wooden barrels can give the tequila different flavors, such as whiskey, cognac, or wine barrels.
Anejo
Aged anywhere from 1-3 years, this type must be kept in wooden barrels that do not exceed 600 liters. The flavor achieved after that long of a wait is smoother, richer, and more complex and the color is more of an amber.
Extra Anejo
This one is ultra-aged, kept in barrels for a minimum of 3 years. These barrels also may not be over 600 liters. This particular classification was only established 12 years ago in the summer of 2006. The extended aging process makes the tequila much darker in color and quite possibly the smoothest, richest tequila you have ever tasted. After the aging process, the alcohol content must be diluted by adding distilled water.
While margaritas are probably the most popular tequila cocktail, this terrific spirit can be used in lots of different recipes. Other often-ordered drinks include the Tequila Sunrise (tequila, orange juice, and grenadine) and the Bloody Maria (a Bloody Mary with tequila in place of the vodka.)
Our favorite tequila cocktail is obviously any one with a Savage Scorpion added to the mix! The next time that you are searching for a delicious cocktail or looking for a fun shot idea, add a Savage Scorpion to your drink and show everyone just how savage you really are!
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Email: Info@SavageScorpions.com
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