Tequila is usually associated with two things: margaritas and binge-drinking. There’s no denying that tequila is an excellent spirit to use in cocktails, and most of us have memories of shooting tequila at least once.
Despite its associations, there’s a lot more to tequila than meets the eye. Tequilas can have wildly different flavor profiles from one brand to the next, and tequila tasting parties are becoming more and more popular.
A tequila tasting party can be an excellent way to introduce yourself and/or your friends to this south of the border spirit. If you’d like to throw one of your own, consider the following tips to help you get started.
Choose Your Tequilas
The first (and most important) step is to decide which tequilas to taste. Tequila is generally classified by age, with the youngest being blanco or silver, while extra añejo would be the oldest. For a general taste test, you should probably include one silver or blanco, one reposado, one añejo, and one extra añejo. That being said, if there’s a certain age you like the best, choosing several different brands that are all the same age is fine, too.
Set Up for Success
If your tasting party is more “party’ and less “tasting,” you can probably skip the spit bucket. However, if you’re focusing more on the taste of the tequilas and less on the buzz, you’ll want to provide your guests with something to spit the tequila in after they taste it.
Go Youngest to Oldest
You’ll want to taste your youngest tequila first, the second youngest second, ect. As you experience older bottles, you can show your guests how increased time in a barrel can affect the flavor of the end product.
Don’t Set Food Out
Parties are synonymous with food, and there’s nothing wrong with providing your guests with something tasty. Unless you’re specifically looking to pair a tequila with something to eat, you should save the food for later. It’s best to allow your guests to keep their palates clean while the tequilas are being tasted. Once the presentation is over, feel free to dig in!
No Tasting is Complete without Tequila El Rey
If you want to make sure your tequila tasting party is a success, you need good tequilas, and that means you need The King. Tequila El Rey took us years to perfect, and its smooth, nuanced taste is the product of the rich soil from which we harvest our blue agave. Our offerings include a silver, reposado, and añejo for the traditionally-minded connoisseur. However, for those who prefer a little flavor in their tequila, our strawberry, hibiscus, and pineapple coconut tequilas are sure to please. If you don’t believe us, order a bottle and see for yourself.