Have you sampled each type of tequila? Perhaps you aren’t sure quite how many variations there are? If not then fear not as we will walk you through each one, and look at what each can offer. Now, what about which is the best tequila drink? We’re sure each of you will have a different answer, depending on your taste and favorite way to drink. For us, all of our Avión tequila range is the best, then again, we may be slightly biased.
Joking aside, let’s try and educate you on the various tequila types and what makes them different. For good measure, we’ll also throw in some tasty cocktail ideas, that will make the very most of each tequila.
White/Silver Tequila
We’ll begin with the classic silver tequila. This is also referred to as white tequila in some circles. Many of you will be aware of the fact that tequila is made using the agave plant. You may not know that we use the Blue Weber exclusively variety of agave in tequila production. Compared with other types of tequila, silver is considered to be the purest. Once the blue agave has been carefully hand-selected, it is then cooked, distilled, and fermented.
Our Avión silver tequila uses fresh liquid from this process. The minimal fermentation time leaves us with a high-quality spirit, offering notes of pineapple, rosemary, and lemon zest. Fine tequila like ours doesn’t get much purer than the silver variety.
Cocktail Idea – The Prickly Pear Margarita
Ingredients
1 part Avión Silver
1 part mezcal
1/4 part orange liquor
1/4 part prickly pear syrup
1/4 part lime juice
Method
Combine all ingredients in your cocktail shaker. Strain over ice in salted rim glass.
Tequila Reposado
A fine reposado tequila such as Avión’s has aged ever so slightly longer than its silver counterpart. During this process, the freshly harvested liquid takes on the golden hue of the oak barrels in which it ages. Not only this, but the flavor profile changes greatly, delivering stronger, fruitier overtures than the silver tequila. There are also the additions of richer flavors such as hibiscus and cherry.
Be aware when you are shopping for tequila reposado. Whilst it is golden in color, this is not the same as ‘gold’ tequilas. Many of those products have artificial colors and flavors added. These gold tequilas are usually not high-quality and won’t deliver the same level of excellence as a fine reposado tequila.
Cocktail Idea – Pineapple Ginger Punch
Ingredients
2 parts Avión Reposado
8 parts fresh Pineapple
1.5 parts Ginger Beer
1 Spring Rosemary
Club Soda
Method
Blend up the pineapple and pour pineapple juice into a cocktail shaker. Add ginger beer, Avión Reposado, and rosemary, and top it off with club soda until the shaker is close to full. Shake well and pour into a glass.
Joven
In Spanish the word joven means young. Joven tequila, however, is used to refer to a blend of the Mexican spirit. To create this product, silver tequila is carefully mixed with a reposado, to create an exciting and balanced finish. The flavor of this variety depends on how much of each tequila is added.
In most cases, the taste leans more toward the silver tequila than the older reposado. Some producers will use charcoal filtration to dilute the oakier flavors of the blend, producing a more floral and fruity finish.
Cocktail Idea – Batida De Coco
Ingredients
1 part joven tequila
1 part Cachaca
1 part Unsweetened Coconut
1 part Milk
3/4 part Simple Syrup
1/2 part Fresh Lime Juice
Lime wedge for garnish
Method
Combine all ingredients in your cocktail shaker. Shake with ice, strain over crushed ice, and garnish with coconut and nutmeg, sugar rim.
Añejo
If you were in any doubt about the truly luxurious qualities of tequila, look no further than a high-quality añejo to prove otherwise. To create the añejo type of tequila, producers will look to age the drink for anywhere between 1 and 3 years. As you can imagine, over this time the spirit takes on a wealth of new and exciting flavors, producing a drink that is best enjoyed when sipped slowly.
There are many more variables with an añejo, or vintage, tequila, given the process by which it is created. Producers can allow the tequila to age for as long as they see fit, and they will also utilize a variety of barrels in which to age it. Oak barrels are usually preferred, either French or American white oak. Additionally, producers will repurpose barrels that have previously hosted whiskeys and bourbons. The flavors ooze from the barrels during the aging process, creating rich and complex tequila flavors.
When you purchase a bottle of lovingly aged añejo tequila, you can expect quite the flavor experience. These products deliver sweet notes of caramel and custard, with undertones of vanilla and hints of spice. A wonderful drink that you’ll love to savor.
Cocktail Idea – Elevated Margarita
Ingredients
1 oz añejo tequila
1 oz Amalfi Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Italicus
1/2 oz Saffron Syrup
Vanilla Pods
Method
Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice, shake, and double strain into a chilled coupette glass. Garnish with a pod of vanilla.
Extra Añejo
The core difference between an añejo and a great extra añejo tequila is that the latter has been aged for longer than 3 years. The complexities of extra añejos are breathtaking. When you purchase a fine bottle of our Avion 44 extra añejo, you are not just buying a drink, but an adventure.
In the same way that you would keep a great bottle of malt whisky or fine cognac, extra añejo tequila will take up a prized place in your home. This version of the Mexican spirit is for special occasions, special people, and perfect moments. In the eyes of many, this delectable spirit is the very best type of tequila you can purchase.
You can expect a wide range of rich, complex, and deep flavors from an extra añejo. Depending on the brand, this could include dark chocolate, warm spices, tobacco smokiness, caramel, vanilla, persimmon, and much more. It is not only these robust flavors that you will love but also the long and clean finish, with different tones to enjoy with each sip.
Cocktail Idea – Extra Añejo Old Fashioned
Ingredients
2 OZ / 2 parts Avión Reserva 44
1 tsp Agave Syrup (light/runny syrup)
1 dash Angostura Bitter
1 dash Spicy Bitter
Method
Stir all ingredients together with ice in a mixing glass, then fine strain into a low-ball or rocks glass over a big, crystal-clear ice cube. Add a dash of Angostura bitters & garnish with a wide slice of orange peel.
The Best Tequila? You Make The Call
And there you have it, all of the incredible tequilas available to you, and some exciting tequila drinks for you to enjoy. We would recommend that you give each type of tequila a try, and discern for yourself which is the finest. There are certainly no bad options, because of the high-quality production techniques that are used. Why not go on your own taste adventure and tell us which you think is the best?