TOP SHELF TEQUILA IS MADE OF 100% BLUE AGAVE, SO MAKE SURE YOU LOOK FOR THAT.

How it´s made

Daniel Osuna and Alfonso Pelayo Osuna, professional tequila distillers, say there is a precise process for tequila to be made. The first step is to cultivate and grow the agave plant for seven to eight years, and then cut the spines off and send the piñas to the distillery. After this, there are four more steps to be completed in the production process.

1. Roast the piñas in the oven. This step is necessary because it changes the starches in the piñas into sugars that can be fermented. It also softens the texture of the piñas so that the juice can be extracted.

2. Extract the Liquid/sugar, which is where the most substantial amount of sugar in the agave is extracted.

3. Ferment the Liquid extracted from the Agave. This is the most crucial step in the process because it lets the distillers get the characteristics they want for the tequila. The sugar is isolated so that it can change to alcohol, and so pleasant aromas are allowed to appear.

4. Distill the product. This is the final step in the process, and it is when the tequila is refined, so the perfect flavor and aroma can come out. This is done in oak barrels. The alcohol absorbs the oak, letting the tequila acquire an ideal body, softness, and texture.

Classification of the Tequila Spirit

There are two types of tequila: 100% blue agave,  mixto (mixed). While 100% blue agave is pure agave, Mixto has to have at least 51% blue agave, and the rest of it comes from cane sugar. The other ingredients usually found in tequila mixto are glycerin, caramel, oak extract flavoring, and sugar-based syrup. 100% blue agave needs to be made in Jalisco, but the tequila mixto does not. You will know if it’s 100% blue agave because it will say “Tequila 100% de agave” or “Tequila 100% puro de agave” on the side of the bottle. If it only says tequila on the bottle, it is most likely mixed.

The two classifications have five sub-classifications. They are:

SILVER

This is tequila in its purest possible form. It is usually not aged, so you can really taste the authentic flavors, sweetness, and intensity.

GOLD

This tequila is usually mixed and has added color and flavor. It is generally cheap and used at bars for mixing with other drinks. There are exceptions, though. For example, when silver tequila gets mixed with a reposado and/or añejo tequila. It is still considered a 100% blue agave in this form.

REPOSADO

This type is known as an aged or rested tequila. Reposado is aged in wooden barrels or storage tanks from a period lasting between 2 to 11 months. The color is usually gold and tastes like agave and wood. Sometimes it is aged in a barrel that had something else in it beforehand, like wine or whiskey. It acquires those tastes also.

AÑEJO

This tequila is known as extra-aged because it is aged for at least a year. The color of it is usually amber and smooth, dark, and complex than any of the other sub-groups of tequila.

EXTRA AÑEJO

This tequila is ultra aged, due to the fact it is aged for three or more years. The extra-aged gives it a very dark color, and it’s hard to tell the flavor apart from other aged spirits of high quality. It is usually diluted with distilled water after the aging process is over.

Now, the alluring mezcal drink is being introduced to Americans. This Exotic Licor is a more refined form of beverage than tequila as it is meant to be sipped and savored. Many varieties are ranging in flavors that are earthy to fruity, almost like fine wines.

Even though both tequila and Mezcal are made from the agave plant, they have significant differences that set both apart. While tequila can be thought of as a mezcal, Mezcal cannot be thought of as a tequila. Both drinks are distilled from the maguey or agave plant, but this sacred spirit is typically produced in Oaxaca.

Mezcal one of the trendiest spirit in the world

Some mezcal varieties are made outside of the state of Oaxaca. Still, tequila is only made in 5 States under Mexican law. Mexican law does not apply the same standards to mezcals as to tequila. However, Mezcal can be made from many different varieties of the agave plant, including the tobala.

Oaxaca’s most popular spirit has also long been used by native Oaxaca Habitants for medicinal purposes. It is believed that applying the Mezcal to the temples can relieve a person of migraine headaches. Applying the beverage to specific points on the body is also thought to be an excellent remedy for reducing a fever. There are many other ways that the drink is believed to have medicinal use in addition to being consumed to enhance a gathering or spark conversation.

Production begins with cutting the agave plant and then extracting the pinas. These are then roasted in a pit lined with rocks over charcoal covered with dirt and palms. This roasting process is what gives most all mezcal varieties that intensely smoky, barbecue-like flavor. Sometimes the chicken is used to add even more intense flavor.

Mezcal is as exciting as the Wine process. You can easily mix some Mezcal tastings with your visit to Oaxaca.

The Experience around Mezcal

Mezcal is as exciting as the Wine process. You can easily mix some Mezcal tastings with your visit to Oaxaca.

The region is full of Organic Mezcaleros, places where you can see the process of hundreds of years, ago still. It is your interest to visit these places. The best option will do this with a local Guide since the Mezcaleros are in remote locations. It is not easy to find them, you can lose a lot of time, and maybe your experience will not be the best.

We recommend 2 places that will enhance your visit to Oaxaca and the discovery of Mezcal.

Mezcaloteca – Mezcal Tasting in Oaxaca City

The experience starts with getting to book a spot for the Mezcal Tasting. You have to do this in advance since they just accept 15 persons every hour and will depend on the number of groups they have the number of extra participants they will take. They are also open only in the evening.

Mezcaloteca offers a personal experience, you will be introduced to this spirit by one professional. One dedicated Maestro Mezcalero will explain the full process and will trigger your senses to taste and smell different types of Mezcal, inclusive by region.

The experience is to taste 3- 5 Mezcales from different partners, regions, and plants. The cost is around $ 15 to USD 20 and takes 1 hour the whole experience.

https://www.mezcaloteca.com/

Open: 5 pm to 10 pm weekdays and 11 am to 10 pm Friday and Saturday

Address: Reforma 506, Oaxaca City Center

Phone: 0052 (951) 514 0082

Mezcaleria Zignum

You can combine this experience with any of the visits you will make once in Oaxaca City. The Mezcaleria is on the direction to Hierve el Agua and on the way back on the same highway of Mitla, Tule, and some other points of interest.

The Mezcal tasting here is slightly different since Mezcaleria Zignum is maybe the biggest Mezcaleria in Mexico. Therefore the visit they offer has a broad range of content. In the beginning, you will see a Video of the History of the Mezcaleria and Mezcal in the region, then continue to a vivid explanation in the Agave plantations to proceed to a full visit of the factory.

One recommendation is to ask them (if they don’t offer it) to take you to the Art Gallery they have. You will be able to see the most sublime handcraft and Textile from the region. You can help the foundation in buying some pieces that are for sale.

Ask your local tour Operator to book this experience in advance since it is not open every day and has specific schedules according to each day.

https://zignummezcal.com/

Pulque thrived during Porfirio Díaz’s presidency. It was common to find a pulquería on every corner in Mexico City. The State of Hidalgo was this alcoholic beverage’s leading supplier, given its proximity to Mexico’s capital city.

In Apan and Mesquital Valley (Hidalgo Regions), large haciendas were built to produce Pulque; some of these haciendas have been preserved, and tours are available where you can learn about Pulque’s rich historical traditions.

There are approximately 12 haciendas that are prepared to welcome you and educate you on all of the mysticism that has traditionally surrounded the production of Pulque. Santiago Chimalpa Hacienda will amaze you. On a typical day, this Hacienda was used to produced 25,000 liters of Pulque a day.

Visit the beautiful chapel there and admire its façade, which was created by the architect Antonio Rivas Mercado, who also designed Mexico City’s renowned Angel of Independence.

Then continue to the former Hacienda San Antonio Tochatlaco, which represents sixteenth-century architecture very well. It has a gorgeous chapel, and the austere rooms provide a sharp contrast to its walls.

Other haciendas that are worth mentioning include Epazoyucan’s San Marcos hacienda, as well as the San Bartolomé de Los Tepetates and Santa María Tecajete haciendas. San Bartolomé de Los Tepetates has one of the better-preserved sixteenth-century hulls in all of Tepeapulco and used to be one of the properties of

Pulque was considered as a gift from the pre-Hispanic culture’s gods. It is closely linked to the Mexican people’s history. Since ancient times, its high carbohydrate, amino acid, and protein content have been utilized.

The origin of this beverage can be traced to the Mayahuel goddess. It’s been said that she is inside the agave plant’s heart and that her blood runs from the plant as aguamiel. When fermented, the aguamiel produces Pulque.

How to Explore the Route of Pulque in Hidalgo State

Hidalgo is just 1.5 hrs. Away from Mexico City. No regular tours are going to this specific region, but what we recommend to you is to book a private driver to explore most conveniently the area.

We review prices with the transportation company  TYT Mexico, and the cost for a private sedan car with Driver is around USD 100 plus expenses per day. You should book this service from Mexico City.

Do not miss the opportunity to stay in one of these Haciendas; Once in Mexico, this is something we recommend you to consider. The Haciendas in this area are not so touristic even for nationals.

Hacienda Chimalpa Hidalgo Boutique and Concept Hotel

A great option to stay in the Hotel Boutique Hacienda Chimalpa, where you will have the chance to travel in the past and stay in a unique place.

They often offer shows and entertainment in the hotel like fireworks and Rodeo Show, which is like the American cowboy rodeo. Still, in Mexico, it is tended to be more artistic. The Hacienda offers tours and shows that you can easily book on their webpage.

Prices range from USD 85 a night per room, depending on the type of suite you would like to book. The hotel even has its own chapel built-in 1897. In its interior, the dome has murals very well preserved that offer any visitors a magnificent sight of history.

web page: http://haciendachimalpa.com/

If you are planning to visit Mexico soon, this is one of those trips that we will like to encourage you to try. Chat with our concierge and ger advice on how to travel to this destination or others.

The most representative clock in the town; is the elegant monumental flower clock located in the main’s plaza center. Also, there’s the Alberto Olvera Hernandez Clock museum, where a show of figures with typical clothes; sing along the most representative regional songs.

You can’t leave this town without tasting the typical artisanal baked cheese bread. Next to the city, there’s a valley called “Piedras Encimadas,” where the wind has sculpted the gigantic rocks into strange shapes.

Also famous for its neo-gothic style: “Parish of San Miguel,” the iconic church with the pink, sugar-candy pointing towers waits for you. These bizarre towers were designed by an uneducated Indian, Zeferino Gutierrez, in the late 19th century. In the main chapel is the much-revered image of the Cristo de la Conquista, made by Indians in Patzcuaro from cornstalks and orchid bulbs in the 16th century.

Close to San Miguel de Allende, there is a little town called San Jose de Iturbide, it owns a beautiful neoclassic parish that is worth the visit.