As an integral part of the Mexican culture, tequila has long been appreciated as a sipping drink, one in which consumers take care to identify and enjoy its color, aroma and taste.
Here are a few tips to help you heighten your experience and appreciation of high-quality tequilas, such as IZKALI®. Whether you are enjoying our tequilas at home, in a restaurant setting, or if you are hosting a tasting for friends, we recommend using these guidelines to help you compare and evaluate different tequilas.
Food
All beverage alcohol products taste better with food, so have some light foods available to sample along with tequila. Mild cheeses, cucumber and salt-free crackers work well. Also have mineral water handy to cleanse the palate.
Glassware
We recommend that you serve top-notch tequilas, like IZKALI®, in stemmed white wine glasses for maximum enjoyment of the aroma. Pour 1 to 2 ounces.
Color
The degree of color may, but not always, indicate the age of the spirit. In Reposado (aged 2 to 12 months in wood) and Añejo (one to three years in wood) tequilas you can gauge the impact of wood-aging on the spirit through their gold, amber or brass-like highlights. Silver tequila (unaged) should be clear to slightly pewter-like.
Aroma
To best capture the aroma of tequila, first swirl the tequila in your glass then slightly open your mouth and deeply inhale through your nose. Tequila’s bouquet is a reliable indicator of its quality and unique characteristics. See if you can identify typical tequila scents, especially wood, flowers, fruits (lemon, lime), spices (sage, dill, black pepper), olive brine, tobacco and salt.
Taste
Take a small sip and hold the tequila in your mouth for 10 seconds while breathing through your nose. Move it around your tongue so the tequila coats the different taste zones of your palate. Try to detect any salty, sweet, bitter or sour flavors. Premium tequilas, like IZKALI®, should always display a balanced, harmonious flavor.
Sip
Breathe in a bit of air after you swallow the tequila to see how long its aftertaste lasts. A good indicator of high-quality tequila is the length of the finish. World-class spirits linger on your palate for at least 30 seconds and sometimes longer.
Enjoy IZKALI® Tequila and always consume responsibly.
