Become a Tequila Connoisseur: Part 1 More than Shots
Tara A. Spears
Tequila, the spirit made from the Blue Agave plant, is much more than alcohol intended for rounds of shots. Made only in Mexico, it showcases a sense of place, culture, and pride — a pride that extends to the entirety of the product, including the bottle. 
If there is anything that Mexico is known for, it has to be tequila. Just as how the liquor establishes the region’s culture and personality, tequila IS Mexico, memories of romantic vacations, exotic scenery, and good times.
On the path to becoming a tequila connoisseur, let’s start by defining tequila. The worm we’re all thinking of actually belongs in a bottle of mezcal, tequila’s huskier, smokier cousin (tequila has to be at least 51% Blue Agave, but mezcal can be made from any variety of maguey succulents, the heart charred before distillation). And even then, the worm wasn’t a traditional aspect of mezcal production, even though to this day, some misinformation endures.
That being said, most people will be sick after imbibing cheap tequila. This is because of the lower quality ingredients and additives used in producing the rotgut tequila, resulting in more impurities absorbed into the body when consumed. As with many foods, the quality of the ingredients impacts the quality of taste and effect of the alcohol. If your purpose for drinking tequila is to be drunk, cheap will do it. However, if you drink to enjoy it, choose the better categories of tequila.
Since tequila is a national treasure it is protected and highly regulated by the government. Mexico’s main organizations that regulate the exportation of tequila are the Tequila Regulatory Board (Consejo Regulador del Tequila) and SAT office. Sure, there is a black-market tequila but don’t be tricked! Read the label to avoid problems. If the bottle doesn’t have a SAT sticker- don’t buy it.
Many types of alcohols packaging vary in shape and design, but none are more artistically diverse than those of tequila. Tall elongated bottles, hand-painted ceramic styles, and bottles adorned with weighty, metallic closures, the variation of tequila bottles is both novel and begs the question: Why did these vessels get so artsy?
Mexico is known for its skillful glass-blowing artisans who first began production in Puebla in the early to mid-1500s. While glass was the most convenient choice historically, as tequila made its way to the U.S. and rapidly gained in popularity, standing out from the sea of brands became just as important as the liquid inside the bottle. This began a shift to presenting a product that conveyed finesse and oozed luxury.
But while Don Julio may have been the first and led the way for tequila packaging to become so creative, each brand has its own story and more importantly an individual aesthetic to please drinkers and have a unique image for the family distillery. The fancy bottles are more than marketing, but a reflection on the family business and quality of the product.
Just as unique in material and artistic display are Tequila Komos’s colorful porcelain bottles, which are crafted to cease water and bacteria absorption from air in order to deliver a premium taste. From Añejo Cristalino to Reposado Rosa, Tequila Komos’s unique styles are housed in similarly glamorous bottles handcrafted in Mexico, making them not only one-of-a-kind pieces of art but also a talking point and value-add for customers explained Vinepair.
In the 21st century, of the nearly 140 tequila distilleries in Mexico, there is only one that’s led and operated solely by women. Melly Barajas walks through a field of blue agave plants in the Los Altos region of Jalisco, Mexico. Large agave bulbs weighing up to 55 pounds make their way from farm to factory, where an assembly line of women heave the bulbs into a gigantic masonry oven to be roasted. The inside of the bulbs turn soft and release the sweet juices of the plant, which is the main ingredient of tequila. Twenty-four hours later, the juice is sent to one of the storage tanks in the middle of the factory for fermentation, which can take up to 12 days, Barajas said.
To learn first-hand about the production of tequila, it is highly recommended to take a guided tour of a tequila distillery. You are also given samples of various types of tequila during the tour which is a great way to find the brand you like best. A day trip to the town of Tequila is excellent and there are often tequila ‘museums’ in non-producing towns that are knowledgeable and entertaining.
Tequila lends itself to creativity, and despite soaring price tags, the heart of many of these creative designs lies in the artwork and innovation of real people and bonafide traditions. “It’s all about the passion and unbeatable storytelling that leads to interesting conversations and joyful moments of sharing and celebration,” says Miguel Hernandez, creative director of Clase Azul. “The silhouettes and colors are as exquisite as Mexican culture — and that is what makes tequila bottles unlike any other.”
Next week: Part 2 defines the characteristics and classification of tequila
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