Mexican Spirits

Jalisco tequila and mezcal from Oaxaca and Puebla take up most of the room in our Mexican spirits.

Tequila

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      Mexican Liqueurs

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        Mexican tequila questions

        What makes a tequila real?

        Real tequila must be made in its designated region of Mexico from blue Weber agave and certified by the Tequila Regulatory Council, which you'll see as CRT on the label. For the best quality, look for 100% de agave. Mixto tequila only needs 51% agave sugars and can include up to 49% other sugars, which is why it's cheaper and often harsher.

        What is the NOM number on a tequila bottle?

        The NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana) number is a four-digit code that identifies the distillery that made the tequila. Many brands are produced at the same distillery, so the NOM lets you see who actually made it. You can look it up online to find other brands from the same distillery, which is useful for finding good value.

        What is sotol?

        Sotol is a Mexican spirit made from the desert spoon plant (Dasylirion), which grows wild in Chihuahua, Durango and Coahuila. Although it's often grouped with agave spirits, it's a different plant. Sotol is usually roasted and distilled like mezcal and tastes grassy, earthy, mineral and sometimes minty, with less smoke.

        What's considered top shelf tequila in Mexico?

        Many tequila lovers in Mexico value additive-free, 100% agave tequila from traditional distilleries over heavily marketed or heavily aged brands. Producers who cook agave in brick ovens, crush it with a tahona stone and ferment naturally are especially respected. A great blanco is often considered the best test of a distillery, since nothing hides the agave.