The Tequila Tester

On this episode, we speak with Juan Pablo De Loera about El Tequileño tequila. We discuss the history of the distillery that has been open for over 60 years. We taste several of their offerings including a unique reposado that is aged for over 6 years. El Tequileño  - http://tequileno.com/ Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com

We talk with Alex Baca of Azunia Tequila about their small batch tequila out of Amatitan, Jalisco. The discussion centers around how they chose their particular tequila distillery and the advantages to having estate grown agave. We learn about their tequila offerings through sampling the blanco, reposado and anejo.  Azunia Tequila - https://azuniatequila.com Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com  

We work through covering all styles of tequila with this exclusively anejo show. As we taste through JaJa, Cantera Negra and Ocho, the conversation moves to price points and psychology of purchasing tequila.  Learn about anejos and how they can be different from brand to brand.  

We interview Maurice Tebele of JaJa tequila about how the brand was started and meaning behind the name. The conversation deep dives in some of the unique marketing they are doing in the space.  We taste their reposado tequila while taking about the blanco and newly released anejo. Learn about tequila with us on this episode. JaJa Tequila -http://Jajatequila.com Margarita Texas - https://margaritatexas.com

We discuss the history of Herradura tequila with brand ambassador Ruben Aceves.  Their distillery is over 400 years old but started making Herradura in 1870.  Ruben discusses their unique aging process for their blanco and how they source their barrels. We taste their Silver, Reposado, Anejo and Ultra Anejo and talk about other offerings by the company.    Casa Herradura - https://www.herradura.com Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com  

Lifelong friends Sheela Marshall and Natalie Merrick discuss starting their brand Tequila Sheela. Their story starts as accountants and moves onto introducing their product to the India market. We taste their blanco, reposado and anejo tequila and even discuss a potential future product.  Tequila Sheela - http://TequilaSheela.com Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com

Learn about the blanco style of tequila as we taste through a flight. We sample Espolon, Codigo 1530 and Jaja tequila and discuss the differences. Do you think you can taste the difference between a lowland and highland tequila? We put that question to test.

On this episode we discuss the extra anejo style and how it is made and the processes involved.  We sample Don Abraham Extra Anejo, Jose Cuervo Reserva De La Familia and Cantera Negra Extra Anejo. Learn about tequila with us on this episode.

Tyler talks about one of our favorite tequilas, El Tesoro. We discuss the traditional processes they use to this day and the history behind it. There is a huge family aspect from the beginning of the distiller to the jimadors that cut the agave. We even get to try their unreleased extra anejo.

When technology and tequila meet, we have the Tequila Matchmaker app which gives a wealth of information while creating a community. We talk with Grover Sanschagrin, the creator of the app, about how he moved to the region to be closer to the spirit. We also talk about some of the tequila he has been into recently and sample Tequila Ocho and Fortaleza Anejo. Tequila Matchmaker - http://tequilamatchmaker.com Margarita Texas - https://margaritatexas.com

We sip through The Tequila Box, a curated box of boutique tequilas that are shipped directly to your door. The offerings include Ocho Plata, G4 Reposado, Adictivo Añejo, AsomBroso 5 Year Extra Añejo and Compoveda Extra Añejo. Hannah tells us about her company, Sip Tequila which aims to tell the story about tequila while getting these products in front of new audiences. Sip Tequila - https://SipTequila.com Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com

Julio Gomez with Toro De Lidia tequila talks to us about the brand. We taste their aged offerings including their reposado, anejo and 9 year old extra anejo. We bull through these and move onto a mezcal and sotol while discussing the difference between the three.  Toro De Lidia - http://tequilatorodelidia.com Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com

We recently visited Jalisco, Mexico with the purpose of visiting distilleries to see in person how tequila is made. We start in Tlaquepaque and visit a store that holds the Guinness World Record for most tequila brands in a store. We then take the Herradura tequila train in Guadalajara to their distillery to see the process and sample their tequila. Our next stop is to the town of tequila where we have drinks and then head off to Fortaleza. We were able to interview Guillermo Sauza and have a private tour of his distillery.  Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com

We had the honor of sitting down and talking to Guillermo Sauza, founder of Fortaleza Tequila at his distillery in Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico. He discussed with us the history of the distillery and how they continue to use a traditional method of tequila production. We taste their entire line up of tequila including blanco, cask strength blanco, reposado and anejo. Tequila Fortaleza - https://TequilaFortaleza.com

Nick Kovacic, the Director of the documentary Agave: Spirit of a Nation joins us to discuss his film. We talk about how the tradition of distilling and the process of making tequila and mezcal is passed on for generations. We go into the making of the film and how the stories were developed.  At the end, we have an impromptu tequila tasting. Film Website - http://Agave.Film Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com

We talk to Andrew and Carlos with Don Anastacio tequila about their lineup of tequila. The interview starts with a history of the brand and leads the discussing the flavors found in each expression. We also tastes an unreleased reposado called La Santa. Don Anastacio - http://tequilaquiote.com/ Don Anastacio Instagram - https://instagram.com/tequila_donanastacio Margarita Texas - http://MargaritaTexas.com

Jorge Raptis, national educator with Diageo, shares with us his extensive knowledge of agave based spirits. We discuss the history of Don Julio tequila and processes used to make their tequila. The discussion also goes into processes used at other distilleries that are not so traditional.  We also sample most of Don Julio's offerings including 1942 and double cask reposado. Our amigos at Don Julio would like to remind everyone to please drink responsibly Don Julio - http://DonJulio.com Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com

We discuss starting a new tequila brand and challenges with Scott Willis of Tequila 512. He chats with us about labeling, bottles and choosing the right juice to put in that bottle. We discuss an explosion that happened at one of their plants that delayed production. Our talk then leads into tasting their blanco, reposado and anejo tequila and how they are aged and the barrels used.  Tequila 512 - http://tequila512.com Margarita Texas - https://margaritatexas.com

We interview Tom Nall, founder of Republic Tequila, a company based out of Austin, Texas. This cowboy discusses how he went to Mexico and found the perfect juice to start his company. We also taste their plata, reposado, anejo and extra anejo and how they are made.   Republic Tequila - http://republictequila.com Margarita Texas - https://margaritatexas.com/mix

On this episode we discuss infused tequila with Steve Sharma, owner of El Big Bad, a restaurant in Houston, Texas. His unique establishment allows patrons to customize their own margaritas by choosing flavored tequila including possible combinations of churro, beef jerky and strawberry. We discuss the details of how he infuses his tequila while he encourages everyone to try it at home. El Big Bad - https://ElBigBad.com Margarita Texas - https://MargaritaTexas.com