Tequila – A Complex Spirit

It is said that a single glass of Cognac possesses over 300 distinct characteristics.  The many attributes stem from the key ingredient, grapes harvested annually, as well as the barrel aging that the Cognac experiences before making it to the bottle.  This makes Cognac not only a complex spirit, but one to be savored and enjoyed.

Tequila shares many attributes with Cognac.  Both tequila and Cognac have “Denomination of Origin.”  This requires the distillers to manufacture the product in designated areas of their respective countries.  Any spirits created outside of the designated areas are not considered authentic. 

Would it surprise you to learn that tequila actually processes twice the characteristics of Cognac?  It is true.  There are over 600 characteristics in a single glass of tequila.  It stands to reason as the focal ingredient in tequila, the Weber blue agave, takes between 8-10 years to mature before harvesting.  A decade in the ground lends itself to many minerals and sugars being absorbed into the plant.  This ingredient is truly like no other as it creates a white spirit that is in a class of its own. 

One of the best attributes of tequila is its ability to be mixed in so many different and diverse ways.  As Americans we have been conditioned to drink tequila in only two ways, shots and Margaritas.  Although I have enjoyed drinking tequila in both the before mentioned ways, I think it important to dispel any preconceived notions that 100% agave tequila is too good to be wasted on a cocktail.  It has always amazed me when I hear someone say that they would rather buy the cheapest bottle of tequila when they plan on using it for mixed drinks, including Margaritas.  The reality is that there is nothing better than using fine 100% agave tequila for a myriad of cocktails in which you would normally use vodka, rum, gin or even bourbon.  Tequila, by its very nature, is a wonderful base ingredient for mixing cocktails.  The agave is naturally sweet by nature and allows for a pure and distinctively clean taste.  I would suggest using this summer to experiment with tequila.  We can learn a lot from the people in Guadalajara, Mexico.  They enjoy sipping tequila straight, as well as mixing it with everything that they can get their hands on….  Whether you prefer fresh squeezed juices, soft drinks, mineral water or tonic, tequila is the key to a fantastic drink.

At Republic, we encourage you to be curious and to change the way you drink tequila.  Please look out for our Spirit Blends this summer.  They are refrigerated cocktail mixes that are not only fresh, but incredibly unique.  While we are very supportive of shots and Margaritas, we hope that you take the time to explore all of the space in between.

Until next time…. Salud! 

Ken MacKenzie

Chief Operations Officer/Co-founder

Republic Tequila

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