Understanding the Difference Between Different Tequilas

Did you know that tequila has some of the toughest regulations in the liquor industry? It can only be made in certain parts of Mexico including the area surrounding the city of Tequila –– the states of Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. Many standards of regulation have to be followed in order for blue agave based spirits to be labeled ‘tequila’. And in addition to the agave plant being grown in the ‘tequila’ approved regions of Mexico, the Tequila Regulatory Council holds tight regulations over all other parts of the production as well. These tight regulations are part of what make agave tequila one of the best liquors to sip on or mix with (in our opinion). So it’s no surprise that many people hop on Google to learn more about tequila.

Keep on reading if you’ve ever asked the question(s):

  • What is Añejo Tequila?
  • What is Reposado Tequila?
  • What is Blanco Tequila?
  • What is the difference between these tequilas?

And we’ll answer everything for you (and then some)!

What is Añejo Tequila?

When most people think about tequila, they probably aren’t thinking of an aged spirit with hints of vanilla, caramel, and spices. But by definition, añejo is a blue agave gold tequila that has been aged for a minimum of 12 months in oak barrels, creating a gorgeous amber hue. The aging process creates a tequila that is bolder and richer than Reposado tequila or Blanco tequila. Because of this, they’re typically sipped neat rather or served over ice rather than shots or mixed into a margarita or cocktail drink.

What Makes Casa Mexico Añejo the Best Añejo Tequila?

Slowly baked in clay ovens, naturally fermented and double-distilled in stainless steel pot stills, our finished product then rests for a minimum of 12 months in new American White Oak barrels. This transformation allows the gold tequila to obtain its exceptional taste and caramel hue through natural processes.

Tequila aficionados appreciate the initial caramel notes and subsequent smooth oak flavors that are produced by this uniquely nuanced spirit. This expression is best served neat or with a minimal amount of ice. It is not typically used in a margarita drink.

What is Reposado Tequila?

Reposado means “rested” (or literally, “restful”) in Spanish, and reposado tequila rests anywhere from two months to a year before they’re put in a bottle. Reposados take on the gold or straw yellow hue from the barrels in which they are aged, which are typically oak or white oak barrels. The type of barrel changes the flavor of each distillery’s tequila, but typically, you can expect a mellow flavor with hints of oak. Reposado tequilas are often used in premium mixed drinks or are great for shots.

What Makes Casa Mexico Reposado the best Reposado Tequila?

Slowly baked in clay ovens, naturally fermented and double-distilled in stainless pot stills, our finished product then rests for a minimum of 6 months in new American White Oak barrels. This transformation allows the product to obtain its exceptional taste and golden hue through natural processes.

The sweet and subtle ginger notes, followed by a slight oak finish and hints of cinnamon, delightfully awaken your palate. Our reposado is suitable for sipping or as the foundation for your favorite tequila-based cocktails.

What is Blanco Tequila?

Blanco Tequila is an unaged tequila that is usually bottled and packaged immediately after distillation. However, some distillers prefer for the blanco or blanco tequila to settle and finish for a couple or a few weeks in the tanks before they bottle and package it. In essence, this blanco tequila is in its purest form and features the truest flavors of the blue 100% agave since it has no age. This is why some distillers call Blanco tequila “the essence of tequila” because it offers the taster the most genuine, unadulterated form of the blue 100% agave with no additives.

Blanco Tequilas are Great for Mixed Drinks

Because there is no aging process for Blanco Tequilas, the price is usually less expensive than Reposado or Añejo. That’s why they’re great for mixed drinks and margaritas. However, our Blanco Tequila is also a quality sipper or for taking shots –– read more about the Casa Mexico Tequila Blanco below.

What Makes Casa Mexico Blanco Exceptional? 

Casa Mexico Blanco Tequila is slowly baked in clay ovens, naturally fermented, and double-distilled from 100 percent blue agave plant in stainless steel pot stills, our finished product presents as a remarkably smooth crystal-clear 100% agave spirit. Each sip reveals graceful earth tones, followed by crisp sweet citrus, finishing with hints of spice. It is suitable both for sipping or as the foundation for your favorite cocktail like a margarita.

What is the Difference Between These Tequilas?

The most noticeable difference between blanco tequila, reposado tequila, añejo tequila is, of course, the color and flavor.

Granted, there are varying levels of color within the two different categories but for our purposes, we’ll refer to all blanco tequila, blanco, or white tequila as being clear in appearance with the difference between gold tequila being its amber, brown/gold, or caramel color.

With this understanding, let’s talk about aging and what influence time has on the color difference between gold and blanco tequila. The duration of the aging process it undergoes is the main factor contributing to the difference in color in gold vs blanco tequila.

All tequila begins as blanco tequila or white tequila after it is distilled. Blanco tequila is bottled directly right after distillation, or as an aged tequila with a maximum of a couple of months of age, giving its pure clear color. Gold tequila has an aging process in varying types of wooden barrels resulting in its golden hue.

Taste The Difference 

Another difference between the two is they also have different tastes. Blanco tequila has a harsh taste that is strong which is why people use lemon or lime juice in their cocktail drink or to chase shots with.

The best tequila, like Casa Mexico, uses new American White Oak barrels when aging tequila resulting in an exquisite taste. The duration of aging tequila in these wooden barrels is what determines whether it is classified as a Reposado or Añejo type of aged tequila as mentioned above.

Not All Tequilas are Created Equally

After reading this, you now know that not all tequila is created equally. The three main types –– Blanco, Reposado and Añejo –– differ in taste, smell, hue, texture, and more. While some tequilas are made for mixing or producing the perfect margaritas, others are made to be savored and enjoyed on their own. Now that you’ve been educated in tequila, it’s time to make a toast to your new knowledge! Head over to our Shop page to purchase any Casa Mexico tequila online. ¡Salud!

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