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Buying Tequila as a Gift

By January 8, 2015October 22nd, 2020News
Top 5 Margarita and Tequila Books
Best Margaritas in San Antonio

buying tequila as a gift

Tequila: A Great Gift Idea for the Wine and Spirit Connoisseurs on Your List

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Suerte Anejo Tequila

We all have friends, family and co-workers who enjoy receiving alcohol as a gift. You immediately become someones favorite person when they open a present revealing a bottle of liquor. If you have decided to pick up a bottle of tequila as a gift, you have come to the right place. We can help you understand the types of tequila and hopefully steer you away from giving someone a plastic jug of cheap tequila.

Tequila is a spirit made from the blue agave plant and is named for the specific region in which it is distilled. Due to Mexican laws regarding tequila, it is only produced in Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, Tamaulipas, and surrounding areas. It ranges in price from $10.00 to over $1,000 and is anywhere from 31% to 55% percent alcohol or 62 to 110 US proof. Before buying tequila as a gift, you should educate yourself on the different types available and how they are usually consumed.

Types of Tequila

Because there are several different types of tequila, you should keep the taste of the person who you will be giving it as a gift. Different types of tequila have different tastes and aromas.

The first distinction between tequila types is whether it is 100% blue agave or tequila mixto. 100% blue agave tequila is labeled as such and tequila mixto, which is 51% agave and 49% caramel coloring, oak extract flavoring, and sugar based syrups, is labeled simply as tequila. We highly recommend going the 100% blue agave route as the sugars in a mixto are known for causing hangovers.

Tequila also comes in several different types, based on how long it has been aged. The aging process affects the taste, harshness and aroma of the spirit. Some people prefer a smooth tequila that is more for drinking from a shot glass or margarita, while others prefer a more complex tequila with oak characteristics that can be sipped from a brandy or wine glass.

Blanco, or white, tequila is not aged and stored directly after it is distilled and usually used for drinking shots and is commonly found in margaritas. Joven or silver tequila is also not aged and is generally a mixto and is a popular tequila for restaurants to use in their house margaritas due to the cost.

The other three types of tequila are reposado or rested, aged at least 2 months but less than a year, anejo or aged, which is aged one to three years and extra anejo or extra aged, which is aged at least three years and was just established in 2006.  Longer aged tequilas have a stronger oak flavor, also because the aging process takes place in oak barrels. These types of tequila are a good gift idea for people who prefer to sip their spirits. Anejo and extra anejo will typically be priced higher than a reposado or blanco.

With the numerous types and greatly varying price range as well as alcohol percentages available with tequila, it’s easy to find one that fits the taste of someone on your gift list. If you have any questions about specific tequilas, feel free to contact us.

Recommended reading: Viva Tequila!: Cocktails, Cooking, and Other Agave Adventures

If you enjoyed this article, we welcome you to: 

Download a copy of our free eBook "Margarita Recipes Revealed" where restaurants reveal their secrets to making the best margarita and include previously undisclosed recipes.

Top 5 Margarita and Tequila Books
Best Margaritas in San Antonio

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