Tequila Gold

A genuine tequila, originating from Mexico, is made exclusively from the juice of the blue agave. The label of a genuine tequila always bears the coveted inscription ‘100% agave’ or ‘100% puro de agave’. This means that the drink contains no foreign grain spirits, colourings or flavourings, and all the alcohol is obtained through the fermentation and distillation of roasted agave hearts. In the more budget-friendly ‘Mixto’ category, up to 49 per cent of other sugars may be used.

It all comes down to the cask. Blanco is not aged at all, offering a pure and bold agave flavour. Reposado ‘rests’ in oak for up to a year, acquiring a smoothness and vanilla notes. Mature Añejo is aged for up to three years, transforming into a complex drink with notes of caramel and chocolate.

If you’re planning to buy high-quality tequila, first and foremost look for the ‘100% agave’ label on the bottle and the special four-digit NOM code, which confirms that the product was produced at an official Mexican distillery under strict state supervision.

The famous ‘salt, lime and down the hatch’ ritual was devised for cheaper varieties to mask the harshness of the alcohol. If, however, you have a high-quality tequila in your hands, it’s best to savour it without all that fuss. Forget about ice — the drink should be at room temperature. Pour it into a special ‘caballito’ glass, a cognac snifter or a wine glass, let it ‘breathe’ for a few minutes and drink it in small sips.