Choosing the Right Tequila

By: The Local Palate

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Tough Choices

A guide to selecting tequila from master tequila distiller, German Gonzalez

To choose the right tequila, consider the occasion. For pairing with light meals or mixing into casual cocktails, pick a blanco. It’s the cleanest, most herbal, and citrusy expression, with lots of agave flavor. For a cocktail party, use an oaky reposado for margaritas, or pour a few ounces into a tall glass with ice and mineral water. For very special occasions (and deep conversations), sip a complex, three- to five-year extra añejo in a proper glass, such as a brandy snifter: this will make good things happen.

The most important thing to remember is to only choose tequila made from one hundred percent blue agave, with no added sugars. If you can identify the tequilero by name, you know it’s probably not made in a big factory, but crafted with skill and great care. These details will make a big difference in the taste—and how you feel the next day.