Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between blanco, reposado, and añejo tequila?
Blanco (silver) is unaged or rested in stainless steel; bright, peppery, agave-forward. Reposado rests in oak for 2 to 12 months; adds vanilla, caramel, a hint of oak. Añejo sits in oak for 1 to 3 years; darker, smoother, closer in spirit to a good bourbon. Blanco for Margaritas and Palomas, reposado for more complex cocktails, añejo for sipping.
Is mezcal the same as tequila?
All tequila is mezcal, but not all mezcal is tequila. Tequila is made specifically from blue agave, grown in Jalisco. Mezcal can come from any of several agave varieties across multiple regions, and it’s often cooked in underground pits which gives it a smoky flavour tequila doesn’t have. If a cocktail calls for mezcal, swapping tequila in will lose the smoke. The reverse swap works better.
What’s the best tequila for a Margarita?
A 100% agave blanco tequila in the $25-40 bracket. Espolòn, Olmeca Altos, Cazadores, or El Jimador all work. The point of a good Margarita is balance between tequila, lime, and orange liqueur, so you want a tequila with enough agave character to push through but not so fancy that you’d feel robbed drinking it with triple sec.
Why does tequila get a reputation for hangovers?
Two reasons, neither of them tequila’s fault. First, cheap mixto tequilas (less than 100% agave) are cut with added sugars and neutral spirits that cause rougher hangovers. Second, tequila is usually drunk in shots at speed, which rarely ends well. Drink 100% agave tequila, sip or pour into proper cocktails, and the hangover story changes.
Should I shoot tequila or sip it?
Depends on the tequila. A good añejo or reposado deserves a rocks glass and twenty minutes. A blanco in a shot glass with salt and lime has its time and place. The rule: if you paid over $40 for the bottle, sip it. If you paid under $20, shoot it or mix it.
