patron tequila - i.d. your bottle

Patron Tequila has this amazing program for all of us that would like to know more about the last bottle of their Tequila we purchased. They have an "I.D. Your Bottle" program that you can acess by going to Patron Spirits and joining the "Patron Social Club". Through the program you can discover the details of where your Patron bottle was made and where the raw materials came from. Each bottle has an I.D. # that you use for this purpose. Have fun!

fake tequila - mexico says NO!

This image, courtesy of the Mexican Tequila Regulatory Council, is "Pseudo Tequila" on display before it got destroyed in 2005. The Mexican Tequila Regulatory Council and Mexican Tequila makers continue their battle against knockoff tequilas.
The Council says the imitators range from sugarcane moonshine made in Mexican garages to quality spirits made from agave plants in South Africa. The group says it is mobilizing lawyers to defend tequila's good name.
While some consumers may not realize they're getting an impostor, Mexican producers & the Mexcian government are concerned that the drink's image could eventually be damaged by subpar products. There is a valid concern that if new consumers experience these pseudo products and have a bad first experience, it may impact the tequila market as a whole. The tequila council said there are no documented cases of anyone being poisoned by fake tequila, but apparently, some of the knockoffs are made in garages or basements and could be contaminated with oil or cleansers. Members of the regulatory commision claim that liquors contaminated with wood alcohol can cause blindness or brain damage. Scary!
The Mexican government seized 23,000 gallons of fake Tequila in September alone and has now banned 41 brands that were determined to be imposters or not up to par with the guidelines set forth. According to a recent USA Today article, fake brands included Salvaje (Savage) and El Valiente (The Brave One), which the Tequila Regulatory Council ruled to be types of rum. Others, like El Trailero (The Trucker), were mainly spiny agave liquor, also known as mescal. One brand of "tequila," Monte Alban, even included a worm in the bottle — something that only mescal bottlers do. Also according to the article, the council has begun certifying bars and restaurants with the "T Seal," a plaque saying that they serve only real tequila. About 50 businesses have gotten the seal. Good to know!

introducing tequila the cat

This is what really happens when you leave 'Tequila' the cat at home with easy access to your liquor cabinet. He can mix a mean margarita. Don't worry, he doesn't share any with the dog. We can't decide if this is the samllest cat or the largest lime we have ever seen? Next time you are bored and want something to keep yourself and your glass of tequila company, search google images and see what comes up. We found this one there.
Enjoy!

funny tequila commercial

cooking with tequila

If you are in the mood for some culinary delight....try one of these great recipes with tequila as an ingredient:
Margarita Chicken
Tequila Tri-Tip
Tequila Shrimp Ceviche
Big Game Salsa
Margarita Pie
and many more...

¡Tequila! A Natural and Cultural History

Interested in the botanical descriptions, production and processing of agave into tequila? A must read is the book by Ana Valenzuela-Zapata and Gary Paul Nabhan, called ¡Tequila! A Natural and Cultural History. The two writers were brought together by a common mentor, the late Dr. Howard Scott Gentry, a pioneer in the study of agave biosystematics. The book offers wonderful information about propagation, cultivation, harvesting and processing of agave. Inside is a 'folk vocabulary' describing agave production/processing and in depth botanical descriptions of agave species. The book also explains a dilemma of mono species agriculture: with contemporary agribusiness and a growing demand for tequila, vast new fields with little genetic diversity have been planted. This cloning of the same species of blue agave leads to demographic vulnerability from new plant diseases. This book reinforces the need idea of permaculture in farming as well as issues of species biodiversity and companion planting. Mixing species assists in pest control in a number of ways: it influences the availability of light, creates barriers, influences the microclimate, increasing resistance genes and can act as alternative hosts for natural enemies. Intercropping allows each plant to supply a different nutrient to the soil, less or no fertilizers are added to the soil.
If you plant vast fields of the same species, a decrease in bio-diversity occurs where animals lose their habitat and either relocate or become extinct. After harvesting. the plot is empty leaving the soil bare and prone to soil erosion. The use of insecticides and pesticides pollutes the environment on many levels: the soil, streams, creeks, rivers, underground water sources, well water, the ocean, and even the air. Drink organic tequila!-to preserve agave biodiversity.

jalisco: world heritage site

Mexico is ranked first in the Americas and eighth worldwide in UNESCO sites, a distinction given to places of historical, cultural and natural relevance to the world. The Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities in Tequila, Jalisco, were declared a World Heritage Site in 2006, becoming the most recent addition to Mexico’s impressive list of notables.

corzo - sexy tequila!

During a recent trip to the liquor store we came across the sexiest bottle that we have ever met. After undressing it from the refined brown box- our intial impulse was validated by the chic, clear, rectangular bottle. It reminded us of a fine mens cologne bottle. The label is minimal yet bold, being offset and the spout brought visions of mod design to mind. We admired these qualities for an extended period and finally managed to open the stainless steel top and pour a few glasses. We were about to taste the blanco of all blancos.
Any of you who have ever had this tequila will most likely agree that it is one of the most tasteful tequilas made. It is incredibly smooth and refined. After a glass we were shocked to find that we were still drinking Blanco and not Anejo.
We were having a true tequila experience!
Corzo is not a brand to be taken lightly. Fabien Baron has created a masterpiece with this brand. He is a genius. If you have been waiting for tequila to rise to the next level, the time is now. Corzo also sells Reposado and Anejo.
On top of all that.... if you want to see an amazing website visit corzo.com right now!

Tres Jimadores rating: Cinco caballitos!

tequila aficionado magazine

If you are like millions of others around the globe who spend countless hours on the internet and it just so happens that you have an interest in tequila or anything to do with tequila, be sure to check out tequila aficionado magazine online. You will find everything from current news stories to tequila reviews, gift ideas, recipes, events, books, restaurant reviews,podcasts and travel info. It is a very informative e-zine that is easy to read and navigate. Subscribe online and become a tequila aficionado today!

freshies margarita mix-yumm!

If you love tequila then there is a chance that you also love margaritas. Our quest for the ultimate tequila has inspired us to also search for the ultimate tequila drink.
One of our favorite ingredients for margaritas is 'Freshies'. Their fresh Lime Margarita Mix is a combination of fresh-squeezed lime and lemon juices, with a splash of orange. It is sweetened with a blend of sugars and a hint of agave nectar, "the lifeblood of the cactus from which tequila is derived." Next time you crave the perfect margarita enjoy 'Freshies' responsibly with good tequila for the freshest marg possible.
Whatever you do, don't forget to coat the rim of your glass with freshies 'Rimz' !. A good marg is never complete without the salt.
For the perfect Freshies Margarita:
Combine 1.5 oz. Anejo Tequilla, .5 oz. Grand Marnier(R), and 4 oz. Freshies Fresh Lime Margarita Mix in a pint glass over ice. Shake for 15 seconds (or blend in blender). Pour into a salted margarita glass and garnish with a wedge of fresh lime. Enjoy! (recipe compliments of freshies.com)

tequila factory tour

Informative video about Jose Cuervo tequila--who makes 100% as well as Mixto tequilas. Good video for the history of tequila--Jose Cuervo does make high quality tequilas such as the Reserva. Each bottle is handmade, numbered, dated and sealed in wax. Every year the Cuervo family commissions a different Mexican artist to design the new collectible box.

$$ world's most expensive tequila: hacienda la capilla distillery $$

A private collector has hit the most expensive charts with the purchase of a bottle of ‘ultra-premium’ Tequila for an astounding price of $225,000 at an auction in Mexico City in 2006!! The world’s most expensive tequila comes in a gold and platinum bottle of Tequila Ley. The bottle is filled with Pasion Azteca tequila, made from pure sap of the blue agave plant that has been fermented, distilled, and aged for six years. The spirit that fills it is a triple-distilled mix of 8-, 10- and 12-year-old agave plants and is produced by Hacienda La Capilla Distillery in Los Altos, Jalisco. Ley .925 CEO Fernando Altamirano says the liquor is aged in barrels whose provenance is “top secret"!

tequila...the new cognac?

This article in the New York Times just validates our already solid love of top shelf tequilas.
Photo via Casey Kelbaugh

100% blue agave tequila: the real deal

Thanks to advancements in chemistry, the validity and quality of Mexico's tequila can now be protected. Tequila is made from the blue Agave plant which only grows in certain regions in West-Central Mexico. Tequila is made with 100 percent Agave, while lower-end mixed tequila or "Mixto" is made by adding up to 49 percent sugar prior to fermentation. Mixed-tequila is usually shipped out in bulk containers for bottling in the importing countries.

Using ion and gas chromatography, scientists can now analyze tequila, so that fradulent mislabeling or misrepresentation does not occur-- molecular fingerprinting for an even more accurate result combines spectroscopic and chromatographic processes.
Fraudies Beware! More at Science Daily

tequila & wikipedia! - vamanos!

If you are an infomaniac who loves wikipedia and tequila, dont forget to visit Wikipedia here. Maybe after you have had a glass or two, you might even muster the courage to add something to the wiki.

4 copas - certified organic tequila?

4 Copas and La Quemada Distillery based in El Arenal, Jalisco has released the first certified organic Tequila ever. In 1996, the vision of four men, united by the love and the appreciation for the land of Jalisco, gave life to the Compañía Tequilera La Quemada. The story dates back three generations, decades before the formal creation of La Quemada, when they began to grow Blue Agave—the essence of genuine, authentic tequila. Jalisco is a land renowned for its traditions, including the production of handicrafts. The beautiful crafts produced from hand-blown glass, typical of Zapopan, is the pride of all Mexicans. At La Quemada, they work in unison with the glass-blowing workshops that craft the special bottles for their tequila. La Quemada strives to support the craftspeople of Jalisco contributing to the preservation of an old and beautiful tradition. In may of this year 4 Copas Tequila was honored at an event celebrating it's endorsement as the first Certified Organic tequila in history. 4 Copas was named the Tequila of the year in 2006 by 'Wine & Spirits Magazine' and won consecutive gold medals at the World Spirits Competition in San Francisco, California. They offer Blanco, Reposado and Anejo varieties along with a limited edition bottle that is a magnificent work of art. If you are interested in organic beverages and you like Tequila visit their site here. 4 Copas is your only choice. It is not widely distributed in the US & Canada yet, but we have heard that it can be found in parts of California, Arizona, Hawaii, Alberta, Nova Scotia & Ontario. We have found that it is available from many online liquor stores though. We ordered 1 bottle of each variety and are eagerly awaiting for them to arrive so we can taste it first hand.

TEQUILA.net : tequila info galore!

TEQUILA.net is a free web site available to everyone. A very informative site where members can submit news, reviews, web links, and post info in forums. Anything you want to know about tequila can be found on their site. We find their reviews of Tequila and the top stories to be most informative. So, the next time you are at the computer with a nice glass of blanco, repasado or anejo and you want to learn more about your favorite drink, visit them here.

a must read - 'tequila': the book

Looking for a fun read? 'Tequila' by novelist Alberto Ruy-Sanchez and his wife, historian, Margarita de Orellana is a complete guide to all things tequila. The book has great vintage illustrations and photographs and takes you through the history of tequila, its manufacture and even guides you through recipes that utilize tequila. Check it out here.

debut of tequila savvy

This blog is dedicated to the history of Tequila. To all those who have ever given their time and energy to making the industry of Tequila what it is today. It is meant to be a place where anyone can share and learn about Tequila culture. We invite you to read what we post and to feel free to add to our adventurous quest for the perfect Tequila.
Vamanos!

Tequila Wikipedia