Introduction
Tequila is legendary for the type of crazy stories floating around when some shots, salt and lemon wedges are in play. Even Tequila cocktails have been known to produce the same effect. Some of us have ended up calling our exes from 5 years ago, helped ourselves where we should not, puked on our long-term crushes after we gather enough courage to approach them, slept in places we do not know how we got there, and the list of embarrassing moments goes on😭.
So, what makes tequila such a bad boy of all the alcoholic categories? Honestly, no one knows. For as much as the level of alcohol for any drink has the same direct effects on your body, there is just something wild about tequila, don’t you agree?
Have you ever felt a certain different type of drunk when you take different alcoholic drinks? Apparently, scientists say there is no such thing. But, who cares, we know there is definitely a different person when someone takes a beer from wine, a whisky from a tequila. But you know what, you do whatever drink that gets you there, depending on the occasion😉.
Let’s delve a little bit into the history of Tequila before we get into it.
History
Tequila is made from the blue agave plant, mostly in the area around the city of Tequila in Mexico.
Tequila was first produced in the 16th century near Tequila city. The blue agave is fermented into a beverage called pulque. The pulque was consumed in Mexico before later being consumed in Europe. In around 1884-1885, Sauza Tequila was the first tequila to be exported to the USA.
Now, let us explore some of the popular Tequila brands worth trying when the occasion shows up:
Camino Tequila
The tequila is made from a special kind of blue agave – Weber, which is grown only in the vicinity of the state of Jalisco, Nayarit, Michoacan and Guanajuato in Mexico and can not be bred elsewhere.
Camino Real Gold
The golden amber-like colour of this tequila results from the drink seasoning in oak barrels which adds a light bitterish-sweet subtone to the taste. Thanks to its pure taste Camino Gold is suitable for several tequila-based cocktails.
Nose: It is intense and fine with fruity notes of lemon and white fruits.
Palate: Blue agave and sweet caramel
Finish: Round body combined with a fresh and elegant finish.
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Camoni Real Silver
Also known as Camino Real Silver, it has a soft and light taste that perfectly captures the essence of authentic Mexican tequila. It has complex aromas dominated by notes of agave and light shades of cane molasses.
Nose: Dominated by an intense aroma of agave, completed by balanced notes of lemon and fruit.
Palate: Soft, notes of agave with hints of molasses.
Finish: is sweet and lingers.
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Jose Cuervo Tequila
As the best-selling tequila brand in the world, Jose Cuervo has fueled countless escapades at bars and nightclubs around the world. With a rich history dating back to 1795, Cuervo has plenty of stories of its own.
Jose Cuervo Silver
Jose Cuervo Silver or Clear is clean, clear and colourless. It has aromas of agave, clean and fresh on the nose. The agave notes continue through the flavour, strong but not overpowering.
Nose: Subtly sweet with caramel and fresh herbs.
Palate: Cooked agave, caramel, herbs, sandalwood and black pepper.
Finish: Slightly sweet
Jose Cuervo clear makes really good margaritas because their taste is stronger and purer
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Jose Cuervo Gold
Jose Cuervo Gold has a creamy, slightly tangy palate. It tastes of mixed spices, toasted oak, agave and a herbal character.
Nose: Soft, Subtle spiciness to it, sweet
Palate: Agave, vanilla, oak, a mixed bag of spices.
Finish: Short and smooth on the tongue with a slight oak and spice finish
It can be enjoyed alone or in a cocktail.
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Don Julio Tequila
This brand of tequila is produced in Mexico. It is the largest brand of tequila in value and among the largest in volume.
Don Julio Blanco
Don Julio Blanco or Silver is made using the 100% finest blue agave plant and a time-honoured distillation process.
Commonly referred to as silver tequila, its crisp agave flavour and hints of citrus make it an essential component of various innovative drinks including margaritas.
Don Julio Blanco is the base from which all other Don Julio variants are derived.
Nose: Crisp agave notes mixed with citrus notes of lemon, lime and grapefruit.
Palate: A light, fresh agave flavour, pleasantly soft and just sweet.
Finish: Marked by the sweetness of the agave.
It can also be enjoyed neat or on the rocks.
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Don Julio Reposado
Don Julio Reposado is aged for eight months in American white-oak barrels.
The Tequila is golden amber in colour and offers a rich, smooth finish, the very essence of the perfect barrel-aged tequila.
Nose: Roasted agave, caramel, oak and vanilla.
Palate: Agave, vanilla, citrus, caramel and oak.
Finish: The finish is medium to long, with very little warmth with more agave, vanilla and caramel.
Because of its mellow, elegant flavour and inviting aroma, it is best savoured as part of a refreshing tasting cocktail or chilled on the rocks
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Don Julio Anejo
Don Julio Anejo is a Mexican Tequila whose Barrel is aged in smaller batches for eighteen months in American white-oak barrels.
Rich, distinctive and complex, its flavour strikes the perfect balance between agave, wood and hints of vanilla.
Nose: A fresh blend of lime, grapefruit and mandarin citrus and vanilla aromas with a rich touch of caramel.
Taste: Full-bodied and complex with expressions of cooked agave, wild honey and oak-infused butterscotch.
Finish: Bright and lightly spiced finish with the essence of wild honey.
Best experienced neat in a snifter or simply on the rocks.
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Patron Tequila
Patrón is premium tequila that works beautifully as a mixer and is also good for sipping. Worthy having on the shelf for special occasions.
Patron Anejo
Patron Anejo is handcrafted from the finest 100% Weber Blue Agave and then carefully distilled. The Anejo is then aged in a combination of French oak, Hungarian oak and used American whiskey barrels.
Oak in Patron Anejo aged for over 12 months to produce a tequila perfect for sipping.
Nose: Oakwood, vanilla & raisins
Palate: Oak wood with notes of vanilla, raisin & honey
Finish: Caramel & smoky notes
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Patron XO Cafe
Patron XO Cafe has oak wood hints with notes of vanilla, raisin & honey and a smoky finish. It is a dry, low-proof coffee liqueur made by combining Patrón Tequila and the essence of fine coffee. It is produced and blended in the state of Jalisco, Mexico.
Nose: Fresh coffee, chocolate & vanilla
Palate: Freshly roasted coffee with notes of chocolate & light tequila
Finish: It features notes of coffee and light tequila with a smooth dry finish.
Patron XO Cafe is excellent for sipping, in cocktails or as a dessert ingredient
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Olmeca Tequila
This is made in Mexico and is a high-quality brandy with a very fine and rich flavour.
Olmeca Dark Chocolate
This Chocolate Tequila is a unique blend of authentic Mexican Olmeca Tequila and the Indulgent taste of chocolate.
Nose: Has a mild initial aroma of cocoa and then the second scent of authentic tequila.
Palate: It has a mild flavour with a silky texture that pairs well with the taste of bitter chocolate. This is balanced with the natural flavour of the tequila.
Enjoy chilled as a cold shot or on the rocks
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Olmeca Tequila Silver
Olmeca Silver or Blanco has fresh herbal notes and a honey hinted finish. It is a delicious young Tequila made from traditional Agave.
Nose: A herbal nose with a sweet honey undertone.
Palate: Fresh herbal flavours of green pepper mix with a sweet, mellow and slightly smoky note.
Finish: A delicate citrus finish with a lingering subtle honey sweetness.
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Olmeca Tequila Gold
This Tequila Gold has a perfect balance of tanginess and sweet overtones.
A blend of young and aged tequilas, Olmeca Tequila Gold is a hand-crafted drink that uses traditional methods from the town of Los Altos in Mexico.
It pours a pale straw colour with
Nose: fruity aromas of, hints of sweet and citric, along with a touch of smoke, which is slightly woody.
Palate: The taste is sweet with notes of honey flavours and a smoky hint of black pepper.
Finish: leaves a distinctive note of coconut that balances with flashes of hot cinnamon.
Though meant to be taken neat, Olmeca Gold is a favourite as a base for a number of cocktails.
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Sauza Tequila
This tequila is made from the fruit of the blue weber agave plant, a type of plant that only grows in the Jalisco region of Mexico’s arid drylands.
Sauza Silver
Sauza Silver is fresh and fruity with a promise of delightfulness. It is one of the best affordable options, and it’s in nearly every liquor outlet. It is distilled in the town of Tequila and right across the street from Jose Cuervo.
Nose: Sweet malty notes with hints of banana and agave.
Palate: Fruity and fresh agave notes.
Finish: Medium body with a moderate finish of bitter citrus.
Sauza Gold
Sauza Gold Tequila is one of the pioneer spirits from the brand and is double distilled in copper pot stills at a low proof to retain the full agave flavour.
It offers sweet aromas of caramel and cooked agave with a lightly astringent, sweet finish. Ideal for margaritas.
Nose: Sweet caramel and blue agave, layered with hibiscus
Palate: Blue agave and sweet caramel, balanced with pepper notes
Finish: medium-bodied with a sweet finish
Sauza Gold Tequila provides surprising depth and delightful mixability.
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Conclusion
Tequila as a category has around 1,600 brands, making it almost impossible to include all of them. However, we have covered the most common and readily available brands in the market. You can view or purchase the different Tequilas from our website, here.
Would you like to serve some Tequila at your upcoming party or event? Or, do you like to enjoy a shot, a glass or a Tequila cocktail? Buy your favourite Tequila Online in Nairobi and we will deliver at your doorstep, in Nairobi, and its environs for free. We also have next-day delivery within the country.
Would you like to ‘gift’ someone special a bottle of Tequila or any other drink? We do personalized gift hampers, gift wrapping and engravings for that special love, friend, or family member. Let us appreciate one another with a bottle of our favourite drink.
Cheers!
By Roseline Maina: Digital Marketer
