If seeking a novel tequila that retains the complexity and richness of aged tequilas but pours as clear as a blanco, then a bottle of cristalino is your best bet. A lesser-known category steadily gaining momentum, cristalino is typically an añejo or extra añejo (though there are reposados in the mix) that have been filtered, sometimes multiple times, with charcoal. The style, invented by Don Julio in 2011 to celebrate his 70th birthday, has seen a surge in offerings over the past several years. FAQ What’s So Special About Blue Agave? If you're looking for a versatile reposado tequila, our favorite is the Mijenta Reposado because it's high-quality and rich in flavor that's great for sipping and mixing. For reposado it is lighter than others, much closer to a Joven that expected, which goes some way to explain the rest of the experience. It is a pale golden colour and when poured is a watery consistency. Aroma When they are ready, workers called jimadors harvest the blue agave by cutting off the spiky leaves and taking the core of the plant, known as the piña.

Mixto tequila is made with caramel coloring, artificial flavorings and other additives, and is considered less desirable relative to 100 percent blue agave. What Type Of Tequila Is Meant For Sipping? Patrón Ahumado Silver and Reposado are made from agave piñas roasted in small batches with mesquite charcoal for seven days in underground stone pits at Hacienda Patrón in Jalisco, Mexico. They are then crushed through a 100% tahona wheel distillation process. For the same brand, añejos are likely to be smoother and richer than reposados. Plus they are more expensive. On the other hand reposados will retain more agave character and the complexity that goes with it. Some extra añejos are not so distinguishable from cognac or even aged rums. If you like that, great, but I like to appreciate the agave.Certain brands introduce more additives with aged expressions, which may taste more artificial, sweet, and have unnatural vanilla flavors. To replicate the aging process, añejos are likely to have more additives than reposados. My personal thoughts The fruity, spicy notes of agave are what makes a tequila. Purists love to taste that raw material in the bottle. No aging process should erase that. Patron tequila is made by fermenting the fruit of the blue agave plant. The plant takes a long time to mature, taking nearly eight to ten years to reach the perfect level of ripeness. Añejos are not necessarily better than blancos just because of extra aging and a higher price. The flavors of agave are complex and interesting enough to drink it unaged. Contrast this to other spirits like whiskey where most of the desirable flavors come from the wood itself. For whiskies, it’s mostly the case that more years aging results in a better product.

Almost 3x more reposado is produced than añejo but blanco is by far the largest class of tequila. Añejo production accounts for about 8% of all tequila produced, reposado 20% and blanco accounts for 58%. Joven makes up the rest. It has a stronger flavor, but the alcohol has rested, making tequila easier to swallow because of its smooth texture. So, What’s the Best Reposado Tequila? The PATRÓN Silver Classic Margarita’s bright, citrusy flavor pairs perfectly with acidic dishes that incorporate citrus fruits, chilled appetizers, and seafood, which is basically the definition of ceviche . The Peruvian dish is served as either an appetizer or main course and uses the traditional Latin American method of preparing fresh white fish or shrimp by soaking them in lemon juice rather than cooking them. Chili peppers bring the heat, while red onions add crunch, and chopped cilantro brightens the dish.Don Julio is one of the widest distributed tequilas. Both Don Julio Reposado and Añejo are aged for well above the minimums. The reposado is aged for 8 months and the añejo is aged for 18 months, both six months more than the respective category minimums. The “freshness” of the barrel – first use barrels and barrels that have been re-charred pass on more color. Patron is known for making high-quality and smooth tequila fermented, a fruit commonly found in hot and arid regions of Mexico. Patron tequila was originally produced by Casa 7 Leguas, one of Mexico’s oldest distilleries. The rich, dark amber color of añejo tequila sets it apart from both blanco and reposado tequila, reflecting its status as a more aged and sophisticated spirit. Caramel coloring is more likely to be used for añejos to provide a greater distinction from reposados. Cristalino reposados and añejos

This cookie is set by Rubicon Project to control synchronization of user identification and exchange of user data between various ad services. Blue agave is a succulent found only in central Mexico, making it a highly-coveted ingredient. Premium tequilas contain 100 percent blue agave, but any spirit must contain at least 51 percent to be classified as tequila. What Is Mixto Tequila? Note – in both cases distilled water is usually added prior to bottling to reduce the alcohol volume to its intended level, usually 40% ABV / 80 proof. Tequila production method Previous barrel use – tequila aged in recently used red wine or rosé barrels can become pink tequila.Joven tequila, also called gold, is made from a blend of blanco and aged tequilas. The most popular example might be party starter Jose Cuervo Especial Gold. According to Mexican law, tequila can only be produced within five Mexican states: Jalisco (where the majority of the spirit is made), Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. The spirit must also include a minimum of 51 percent blue agave, though most critics agree that superior iterations are made from 100 percent.

The production process for all types of tequila is the same up until the finish of distillation. Blancos or silver tequilas are unaged, or aged for less than two months. Reposados and añejos differ only in the period of time they are aged.Chart showing tequila production percentage between añejo, reposado, blanco and joven for 2022. Extra añejo is included in añejo (0.5%). Source: CRT How do you pronounce añejo? Añejo is better than a reposado because it develops more character and flavor due to the long aging process compared to a Blanco tequila. A heartier pairing can be found in one of Mexico’s most popular street foods, elotes Mexicans (Mexican street corn). This mouthwatering — and deliciously messy! — street staple is classically prepared by liberally coating boiled corn with a tangy combination of lime juice, creamy mayo, queso fresco, chipotle chili powder, and chopped cilantro. It’s the best way to use two hands: a PATRÓN Reposado Perfect Margarita in one and elotes in the other.