For those of us that prefer tequila over any kind of liquor, heading straight for the tequila aisle of the liquor store is a simple task. It's when you arrive in that aisle and see all of the different tequila varieties available that choosing gets challenging. If you want to feel a little bit more like an expert next time you reach for a bottle here's everything you need to know about the different types of tequila.
First things first, there are three basic categories of tequila: Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo. Tequila Blanco is what you may colloquially know as "silver" tequila, which means it is unaged and made from blue Weber agave. A bottle of the liquor labeled "Joven" also falls under the Blanco umbrella category although this expression mixes in a small amount of aged tequila with the unaged tequila.
Tequila Reposado is aged in either European or American oak barrels, according to MasterClass, and is aged for at least two months and up to a full year. This process results in a tequila that is slightly golden in color and has a hint of oak and vanilla in the taste. Añejo tequila takes that aging process a step further and ages the liquor for at least a year which results in a dark brown beverage. Rare extra añejo tequila is aged for at least three years and boasts a smokey flavor.
All tequilas can be enjoyed alone or on the rocks, but there are some expressions that lend themselves to specific cocktails and mixed drinks. Blanco tequilas are good for margaritas since their flavor is not altered by aging and is more agave-forward. You can still use a reposado for margaritas, but you'll notice more of a bite in the flavor. As for añejo, because of its particular aging that leads to a smokey, dark beverage, it can be substituted into mixed drinks that typically call for other dark liquors like whiskey or bourbon but to really get the full scope of its aged flavor, it can simply be sipped straight.
