A well crafted tequila can be smooth, harsh, bitter, and sweet all at once. The taste can be described differently depending upon which type of tequila is being consumed. If the tequila has been properly aged it will taste rich and smooth when compared to somewhat harsher varieties.
Generally speaking, tequila has a rich, bold earthy taste, with notes of sweetness from the agave and other ingredients. There are various types of tequila and each has its own unique taste. Read on to learn more.
The Five Different Types Of Tequila
Let’s discuss more about how each different type of tequila tastes.
Blanco Tequila
Sometimes referred to as “Silver tequila,” Blanco is aged briefly (3 months), and clear in color. Due to the bold, and sometimes harsh nature, Blanco is most often used as a mixing tequila. When drunk straight, however, the flavors of black pepper and citrus are most commonly noted.
Reposado Tequila
This oak-aged variety, often called “rested tequila,” is sweetened with hints of honey, and cinnamon, and sometimes chocolate, which gives this tequila a darker color. It is aged for no less than one year in oak barrels which gives it a complex and earthy quality. This variety of tequila can be served with frozen fruit.
Anejo Tequila
Much like the Reposado, Anejo tequila is a high-end variety that is aged no more than three years in oak barrels. It contains the same earthy flavor profile as the previous types, with hints of caramel and banana. This popular dark-colored tequila is often consumed with salt and a splash of lime.
Extra Anejo Tequila
Relatively new to the tequila family, Extra Anejo has a bold, almost bourbon-like taste. Water is added at the end of the aging process to give it a more rich and smooth texture. More often than not, this variety is consumed straight rather than mixed.
Gold Tequila
Gold, or Joven tequila is a blended tequila. Generally a blanco type, it is mixed with aged tequila, sugar, and corn syrup. Its appearance is much like standard aged tequila but with less agave and a slightly un-tequila-like taste. Gold tequila is inexpensive and often considered too sweet for some tastes.
What is Agave?
The agave plant is a succulent, native to the drier areas of Mexico. It is often used as an alternative to honey, as its syrup can be quite sweet. There are several varieties of agave. However, the agave plant that is used to make tequila is called “Blue Agave.”
Commonly found in the western Mexican state of Jalisco, the Agave Tequilana is used as the base ingredient for tequila. The blue agave gives the tequila its distinct sweet flavor.
The nectar from the blue agave plant has a taste similar to that of honey. Sweeter than sugar, the plant provides a complex base for the distillation process. It has been mistakenly proposed that the blue agave is what gives tequila its unique flavor profile.
However, that is just not accurate. The agave provides a sweetness to tequila to counterbalance some of its often harsher varieties while enhancing the drink’s fruity yet complex textures.
Let’s End This on a Much Sweeter Note.
In many parts of the world, tequila has taken a brutal punch to the face. It’s often viewed as a loathsome drink with no redeemable qualities whatsoever. This type of reputation is unfortunate. Tequila is made with such passion and love that it is a shame that it is sometimes treated so poorly. Please drink responsibly. Cheers!
