Once they are loaded in, the pit is covered by dirt and left to do its thing. . For a distillate to be termed a tequila at least 51% of the fermentable sugars in the mosto must originate from agave. Distillation At the distillery where Cazadores and Corzo tequilas are made, the yeast is serenaded by classical music during fermentation. Some products made by Herradura are said to use this process. Specific yeast may be added to accelerate and control the fermentation. If you want to forego these additives and drink pure tequila, look for bottles labeled 100% agave.. The temperature is critical, and if it's too cold fermentation will slow, and if it's too hot it causes the yeast to die off, keeping in mind that the process of fermentation itself, produces it's own heat. None of these results surprise me. Tequila bottles can come in any shape and size and be decorated elaborately or have a clean, modern look. I'm a Tequila/Agave Connoisseur, Taster & Reviewer from Long Island, NY. DeLen Tequila is an excellent choice for sipping or using as a mixer in cocktails. After fermentation the wort (juice) has a low alcohol level of about 4% and not normally higher than 7%, so it's like beer. help improve bone health and density. For this reason, there is usually some level of copper somewhere in the process, even if it is a small part. Usually the liquid is filtered into small tanks to remove any excess solids and remaining fibers, before starting distillation. Traditionally, the hearts were baked in rock-lined pits, and this can still be witnessed in mezcal production, but today's tequila producers have moved above ground and use one of two styles of ovens: clay/brick or stainless steel. From there, the tequila is ready to be aged. Carlos Camarena and a few others do not dilute tequila with water. 3. Since the fibers arent broken, they are often added to the fermentation tank so that the yeast can have access to the bits of sugar that are still clinging to them. We are Grover and Scarlet, tequila fans who just cant seem to get enough of tequila. must fermentation and usually rely on spontaneous or pure Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain inoculation. Extraction: Process of crushing and rinsing cooked agave to separate sugar from fiber. Hand Crushed (86.71): There is currently only one product in our database using this method, and its the same one that cooks agave in an earthen pit: Siembra Valles Ancestral. The main distinction between tequila and mezcal are that they each use a different type of Agave plant for the fermentation process and that they are both distilled in separate areas of Mexico. Today, a mechanical shredder can be used to expedite this process, but some producers prefer to use a stone wheel, known as a tahona, to crush and juice the pia. FERMENTATION. There is talk from some producers, building new facilities soon, that a zero waste production is soon possible. This is excellent material! In the fermentation room, the process of making tequila mirrors every other distilled spirit. Herradura uses a 100% natural fermentation process. Smoking underground imparts a smoky aroma and flavor because wood or charcoal is put at the base of a pit, covered by rocks (usually lava stones). (Tequila sales grew from 20.1 million to 23 million 9-liter cases between 2019 to 2020, . Advanced search features within the TequilaMatchmaker.com website. Your email address will not be published. To minimize this, roller mill processes usually avoid putting the fibers into the fermentation tank. Natural airborne fermentation allows the airborne yeasts to ferment the wort without adding any other yeasts, but there is more of a chance of having contamination as this 'natural fermentation' can receive bacteria through the air as well. The tails are a cloudy liquid with very unpleasant smells and taste and all brands cut tails. there are three different methods being used today to make tequila. Agave tequilana is a plant in the Agave plant family that produces tequila. Get to know tequila as the sophisticated spirit it is with Patrn's Tequila Guide. Water and yeast are also used during the fermentation process. Using the tahona wheel is a very traditional method and it was originally pulled by horses, mules, or oxen. Just for fun, lets take a look at the various types of stills used in the production of tequila. May involve dilution, the addition of mieles dulces, other sugars, and/or yeast. Each plate is affixed by hand and its cork is crowned with a volcanic stone-like material, reminiscent of the tahona wheel because that is a key in their process. The roller mill inside of the Patron Hacienda distillery. This liquid, called aguamiel, is then fermented and distilled. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Modern tequila production begins with the traditional method of harvesting the blue agave plant. Agave thrives in Mexico because it needs rich, sandy soil filled with nutrients. They become dark brown and look caramelized, like a sweet and mushy honeycomb. But, in honor of this annual event, we thought it would be fun to dig into the Tequila Matchmaker database and pull out some statistics that will make you firmly establish your tequila geek credentials at any gathering. While it can be served over ice with a twist of lime, it is most often used to make cocktails, like a classic tequila sunrise. Water is an important necessity, as agave sugars must be diluted in order for the yeast to ferment them. Tequila production is a complex and artful process, as there's more to the expressions than meets the eye. This bottle is tall and skinny, giving off a very regal flair that dwarfs every other bottle on the shelf. I know Camarena does this with his El Tesoro line. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Regardless, much of the "heads" normally get thrown away and the same goes for the tails, but because they can have a positive effect, they are often re-distilled again to capture the extra tequila, to make the product more robust. Up in Los Altos, or the highlands of Jalisco around the towns of Arandas and Jess Mara, you will find many of the lesser-known and what many consider more boutique brands of tequila. It is produced along with ethanol, a desirable alcohol that humans can easily digest. The large fermentation tanks at Cazadores fill an entire building and the yeast is treated to classical music which blares from wall-mounted speakers. Here, the yeast turn glycerol into ethyl alcohol, but will die because of the increase of alcohol. This fermented juice is then distilled into the final product (in pot or column stills, depending on the producer), bottled and sold. Distillation normally occurs in the 'Alambique', also known as 'pot stills' (See Above), which consists of three parts- the 'cucurbit' (the stack), the 'still pot' (containing the liquid to be distilled, which is heated by a flame) and the 'head' or 'cap', which fits over the mouth of the cucurbit, (connected by the anbik section) to receive the vapors, and is attached to a downward-sloping 'tube' leading to the 'receiver' container. Thanks Grover! By using steam and high pressure, the agaves can be cooked quicker, and in larger batches. Just like Champagne and other fine wines, tequila is a drink that takes its name from its region of origin. After our open tank fermenting process, Teremana is then distilled using our handmade copper pot stills. I say we owe the yeast a big 'Thank You'. div#stuning-header .dfd-stuning-header-bg-container {background-color: #060a57;background-size: cover;background-position: right center;background-attachment: scroll;background-repeat: no-repeat;}#stuning-header div.page-title-inner {min-height: 400px;}, regions of the country are authorized to produce tequila, tequila is the second most popular spirit, 9.89 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $15.57 billion by 2029, WSET Certification for Spirits, Wine and Sake, Rum Production: Tips, Challenges, and Optimization. Here is more information about each one of these steps: 1. True tequila is made from blue agave, a succulent plant found in Mexican regions. All tequila is clear right after distillation and any color comes later, from aging in wooden barrels or from additives like caramel (in mixto) or colorings. Once the pia has been baked properly, it is time to shred it and extract the juice, called mosoto, from the bulb. You may also know this type of tequila as silver. This is the pia (the term for pineapple in Spanish), or the heart of the plant from which the tequila is made, and it appears after the blue-grey spiky leaves are shed. Screw Mill/Tahona (83.86): This is a combination that will speed up the tahona process. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The juice is then transferred to the fermentation tanks. Heres the Proof. Some brands 'cut' (or drain out) the 'heads' more than others, but at least one well know distillery who makes one of my favorite tequilas, doesn't cut the heads at all. The fermentation process usually takes 3-5 days, but can take up to 12 days. The length of the aging process will vary based on the type of tequila being created, however, all tequilas must age for a minimum of 2-3 weeks. We are founders of the Tequila Matchmaker app and website. Tequila is made from ripe blue agave plants which take a minimum of six years to mature but those planted in the highlands frequently take much longer to reach maturity and can be up to 12 years. These components are Acetic Acid (Organic Acid), Ethyl Lactate (Esther), Furfural, Benzaldehyde (Aldehyde) and the dangerous and most critical component of Methanol, which can be toxic in extremely high concentrations. Production process comprises four steps: cooking to hydrolyze inulin into fructose, milling to extract the sugars, fermentation with a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to convert the sugars into ethanol and organoleptic compounds, and, finally, a two-step distillation process. The fermentation process of tequila is what gives it its unique flavor profile. Just like every other step in the process, tequila distilleries employ different methods. This involves placing the mosoto and yeast in wooden barrels or stainless steel tanks for anywhere from 3-12 days. Tequila is a fascinating distilled spirit, made from the agave plant, unlike any other. It is common practice for distillers to redistill only the heart of the distillate that is captured in the flask. They are mature at 7 to 10 years of age. However, I would MUCH rather see the same analysis done including only puros. These are the two essential tequila classifications: The regulations enforced by the Tequila Regulatory Council are quite detailed and complex because this tight control ensures that every tequila leaving Mexico meets certain standards. There is nothing too interesting in this mechanized process, but the tequila bottles themselves can be quite interesting. Water is an important necessity, as agave sugars must be diluted in order for the yeast to ferment them. gracias por la informacion. Roller Mill (79.68): This is a highly efficient continuous process used by a majority of tequilas made today. . Get our free book when you sign up for our newsletter. The word mezcal is rooted in the Aztec language and loosely translates . They are then crushed and shredded to release their juices. Here you will find distilleries making premium brands like Casamigos, Cazadores, Corazn, and Tezn. But the time involved can still be relatively long (between 36 72 hours). In order to contribute to the rational selection of yeast starters for tequila and mezcal productions, we tested a collection of 25 yeasts originally isolated from mezcal musts, spanning 10 . Herradura Tequila is twice distilled in traditional alembic stills. Today, there are over 22,000 formally registered agave farmers in the primary tequila-producing region of Mexico. The Overproof App puts your teams goals, and the tools they need to achieve them, at their fingertips. The notes you can smell over the fermentation vats (minus any vinegar aromas), are the same notes you should recognise later, after distillation. Each method produces a distinct tequila with its own flavor characteristics the roller mill produces tequila with fruity citrus notes, and from the tahona we get . Some fibers are broken in the process, but not as much as the roller. Its a fast and economical way to distill tequila. The ratings clearly show that the slower the pace of conversion of agave inulin to fermentable sugar, the higher the scores. Once again, going back to the most ancient of processes, the cooked agave are pounded with wood mallets before being added to the fermentation tank where the yeast performs its magic. Let's learn about Brands & Agave Spirits on FB, Instagram, and YouTube. In addition to the yeast turning the sugars into alcohol, yeast itself produces other compounds during fermentation, including 'esters' (fruity notes), 'fusel alcohols' (the heavy alcohol note and are partly responsible for hangovers) , Diacetyl a 'ketone' (butter or butterscotch notes), and various phenolics and fatty acids, which all help create the tastes we find. Here's what Tequila drinkers should know about the difference between the Highlands and Lowlands of Jalisco, Mexico. The ratings for this method were dramatically higher than any other process. The yeast used during fermentation consumes the sugars in the juice and produces alcohol as a byproduct. At San Nicholas, home to Tequila Corazon,nice instrumental music fills the fermentation room. Agave maintains a high production level of fructose and sugars called agavins, which spur on the fermentation process of making tequila. Excellent article Grover, I am passing this to my employees, thank you. In those cases, their process is simply marked as diffuser.. These stills were made by a local artisan on the premises of the distillery. Im particularly interested in what types of yeasts are used. Distillation in simple terms, is basically the process of separating a liquid or vapor mixture into it's component parts, through vaporization and condensation. Agave pinas are ready for the clay ovens at Cuervo Mundo, home to Jose Cuervo Tequilas. Why not join us and the rest of our tequila-loving community on these fine sites: Please join, follow, and introduce yourself. The fermentation process creates a sweet, low-alcohol liquid known as "mosto." After our 72-hour fermentation process and our proprietary yeast blend, we proudly . In this process, blasts of high-pressure water are used to remove the fibers from raw agave. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Diffuser (67.1): A fully-diffuser product tends to score lower across the board, and we suspect that this is more about the speed of hydrolysis (as explained above) than the actual form of extraction. . Very informative.. Its basically like,Do you perfer Filet Mignon or do you want baloney? However, 51% of the sugarsneed to come from the Weber blue agave plant. It is distilled, manufactured, bottled, sold, and distributed by Tequila Don Julio, S.A. de C.V. from its corporate facility in the Colonia El Chichimeco district, in the city of Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco, Mexico. The heart holds the bestliquor. This is important to keep in mind, with the heat in central Mexico. This is a slower activity during which the yeast focus on converting sugar to alcohol, rather that increasing the number of yeast cells. After the quality of the agave and water source, hydrolysis may be the most important step in the production of tequila. 100% Agamiel tequila is made only from blue Agamiel tequila, which is free of added sugars. Copper pot stills inside of the El Pandillo tequila distillery, located in Jesus Maria, Jalisco. (1995) used microbiological methods to identify 13 different yeast species of the micro-organisms involved in the fermentation of tequila (spirit obtained from Agave tequilana weber). Just nine years later in 1600, tequila was being mass-produced. To truly experience the complexities of this sophisticated type of tequila, sip it neat or over ice. There are enough seats at the bar for everyone! The first distillation is called 'Ordinario', and after the second distillation the liquid is called 'Tequila'. Is the process where the alcohol is separated from the fermented wort (mosto). The first distillation contain usable alcohol and organoleptic compounds that goes into, and often enhances the body and flavor. Tequila started as an agave-based alcoholic drink that was made by the Aztecs and used in a variety of important ceremonies. Using acid alone to make the conversion is not typical in tequila production because it creates too many non-fermentable sugars, so it needs to be combined with either heat, or enzymatic processes. Their hydrolysis takes 11 hours to complete. Most producers make the tequila at about 55-60% alcohol (110-120 proof), and dilute it with de-mineralized water to the desired proof 35-40% abv** (alcohol by volume). The agave plant is not a cactus, but a succulent in the lily family. Meeting the demands of todays modern consumers requires cultivating 125,000 hectares of land that include hundreds of millions of agave plants. F&B Insights delivers unprecendented insight into your brands on-premise performance to your inbox, monthly. Step 4 - Fermentation. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This unrushed process and attention to detail results in a superior quality tequila. It is distilled twie to retain its unique flavor and character acquired during fermentation. The best tequila starts with the best agave. Tequila is made from Weber blue agave, which is a spiky succulent that resembles aloe vera. Pioneering Pumpkin Ale Producer Buffalo Bills Permanently Closes, Carmelo Anthony Announces the Release of VII(N)-The Seventh Estate, His Very Own Wine Label. Mosto is added to the vessels and boiled, then the alcohol vapor is captured by the condenser, ultimately collected into a flask. We use cookies to give you the best experience. The US requires all Tequila to be imported and sold at 80 proof and the legal maximum limit in order to call it Tequila is 55% abv or 110 proof. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Tequila Matchmaker, our free app for iPhone and Android, can detect your own individual "flavor fingerprint" and match you with tequilas that are right for you (and then tell you where to find them.) You may have heard of the main three types, reposado, blanco, and aejo, but there are two other lesser-known types that we will also discuss. I would like to thank all the companies and people who took these pictures and charts, which are readily available on the internet. The agave plant's underground 'pina' is harvest by jimadores for tequila production in the red dirt fields outside the Corazon Tequila distillery in Los Altos, Jalisco, Mexico. Tequila is just one of many agave-based spirits. Before bottling, most tequila is filtered through activated carbon or cellulose filters. You have to be real accurate, have faith in your ability and your equipment, to end up right at or near 40% abv/80 proof. Read our. Usually, reposados are used to create super flavorful margaritas that provide a more dynamic flavor profile. At 83C these and other components start to vaporize. Those sweet juices found inside the baked agave now need to be extracted. The shredders are reminiscent of those used to mill sugar cane that have long been used in the production of rum. Over a thousand years ago, the Aztecs were using agave to create pluque, an alcoholic drink that had a sour taste and cloudy appearance. Brands who use diffusers typically dont like to talk about it. Stainless steel provides an elegant, clean finish. Tahona (85.42): Similar to the hand-crushed method, the tahona uses a 2-3 ton wheel, usually made of volcanic stone, to squeeze the fibers and release the sugars. . Don Julio is a brand of tequila produced in Mexico.It is the largest brand in value and eighth largest in volume. Here is a SIMPLE DESCRIPTION OF THE FERMENTATION TO DISTILLATION STAGE for making Tequila: After steaming (cooking) the pinas, generally by horno (oven) or autoclave (stainless steel oven), inulin carbs transform into fructose. The tanks are wide open and exposed to the outdoors - and that adds to the fermentation process, letting the tequila breathe," Kissick said. Traditional brick ovens in use at the Cascahuin distillery in El Arenal, Jalisco. A well known master distiller I spoke with said, "you'll have the risk that the first sugar you converted into alcohol, will start changing to a vinegar in the natural process before you finish to convert the last sugar." Want to know more? I'm a Tequila/Agave Connoisseur, Taster & Reviewer. The fermentation process follows. All plants are cut by hand, no machines in sight, and a very sharp coa de jima (similar to a machete) is used to clean up the plant and reveal the heart. Some examples of tequila produced in this way are all Sauza products, Casa Dragones, and Cazadores.. Diffuser (59.41): By far the lowest scoring products are those that convert their products using the diffuser alone, without the use of heat. Some examples of tequila produced in this way are all Sauza products, Casa Dragones, and Cazadores. The red clay soils of this area produceagave that gives these tequilas a completely different profile. We set out early in the morning on May 16, 2020. used as yeasts in the fermentation process. The Debate About Tequila's Safety. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. DeLen Tequila is a high-quality, premium tequila made from 100% Highland Blue Weber agave sourced from the Los Altos region of Jalisco, Mexico. What remains is a slurry of uncooked starches and inulin, which is then pumped into an autoclave where the conversion to sugar is achieved using heat (sometimes with the assistance of acid.). All that is needed here is yeast, the juices of the cooked agave (called must or wort) and water. Siempre Releases Exclusivo-Vivo Tequila Made With Wild Fermentation: Limited to 9,000 bottles. The agave matures for seven great article. Average fermentation requires 48- 60 hours. Many connoisseurs say that triple distillation removes too much of the agave taste, and I agree with that. Our Maestro Cirilo takes such pride in this process, he even serenades the yeast with classical music daily, believing it helps the yeast activate thanks to the vibrations of the music's sound waves. Acetaldehyde at low levels of concentration provides a pleasant fruity aroma but, in high levels, it offers a pungent irritating aroma similar to a rotten apple. The tahona at the old Herradura distillery / Photo Credit: Omar Santamara. Diffuser (59.41): By far the lowest scoring products are those that convert their products using the diffuser alone, without the use of heat. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". This part normally lasts 24-48 hours. Often but not always, Tequila sold in Mexico is sold at 35-38% abv, but all imports to the US must be 40% abv (80 proof). Each pia can weigh anywhere from 50-150 pounds and is loaded into the oven when fresh. Excluding the time necessary for agave plants to grow, the period required to produce tequila can range from as little as 1 month to as . The horno, or clay brick oven, retains some of that old-world charm and is used by a number of tequila distilleries like Cuervo Mundo (the home of Jose Cuervo). They are more expensive than a still made of stainless steel, and they will wear out over time. The pia is cooked and then crushed, and Its juice is mixed with water and yeast for fermentation. Essentially, there are five different types of tequila. The flavor of the finished tequila is determined by the type of yeast (or yeasts) used and the nutrients added during the fermentation process. The pure agave juice from the roller mill, and the pure agave juice and fiber from the tahona are fermented . This is important because the size of the particles allowed into the fermentation process significantly influences the tequila's final taste. That is why blanco tequilas are crystal clear (they do not touch wood), reposado tequilas have a golden color, and aejo tequilas get an amber hue. Earthen Pit (86.71): It takes about a week to cook agaves in this way. Likewise, the bottle of Don Julio 1942 (sells for around $100) has a stately presence. Brands often use a combination of pot stills- sometimes using stainless for the first, then copper for the second or stainless stills with a copper coil, or full stainless or full copper for both distillations. The amazing agave plant is used to create tequila. On Facebook, many know me by the name Lou Agave. If you want a true blanco, look for brands that are labeled blue agave. . Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. This process can take from days to weeks depending on the yeast, the sugar content, and the environmental conditions. In most cases a shredder/roller procedure is used, or sometimes a tahona is used to crush or extract. This single step does not consign one to a bad tequila. Yeasts are living, and they give up it's life for our benefit. and for our Tequila, through enzymatic processes. I do this as my passion, & nothing else. The first step in this process is to bake the agave. Many tequila brands have a story behind their bottle design. The fermentation process takes 4-6 days, depending on the season. 'Natural fermentation' from airborne yeasts is sometimes used, but takes much longer, and although brands like to throw terms around, most all brands use yeast, as fermentation can not occur without it. Esters - such as ethyl hexanoate; Alcohols - like such as 2-phenyl ethanol and isoamyl alcohol Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Our tequila is 100% blue agave. In most cases, tequila will be distilled twice. Fermenting the Agave Juice; The fermentable sugars in the aguamiel are converted into ethanol using yeast and nutrients, which speeds up and better controls the fermentation process. Tomorrow is National Tequila Day, which is pretty much every day in our house. Your email address will not be published. Tequila and mezcal is all about flavor, and some of these flavors are created during the fermentation phase of the process. Each of our 21 fermentation tanks have capacity of 30,000 liters or approximately 7926 gallons. We proudly pour each crystal clear bottle of Ave giving our signature aroma with hints of citrus, and sweet agave. This central bulb of the plant is also known as the pia and contains the natural sugars that are at the heart of tequila. Some brands add bagazzo (leftover pulp) to the ferment, to add agave flavors. Stainless w/copper (81.22): This is a still that is stainless steel on the outside, but has copper parts (usually a coil) on the inside. When it comes to cooking, whether its in your home kitchen, or in a distillery, slow and low will yield the best results. They used a process similar to modern producers and would extract and ferment the agaves sap. After the first distillation, the alcohol level rises from the 4-7% range to 25%. Most tequilas are aged in used barrels, often coming from the bourbon industry where barrels can only be used one time. Climate, rainfall, harvesting methods, fermentation styles, and overall production all play a major role in the spirit's flavor profile. Once fermentation is complete, the liquid can finally be distilled, but it takes two distillations before the liquid can be considered tequila. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. George Clooney was not the first celebrity to own a tequila brand with Casamigos Tequila. The global tequila market was $9.89 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $15.57 billion by 2029. This limits tequila production to municipalities including Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guanajuato, Nayarit, and the state of Jalisco. It all starts with planting Weber Blue Agave in the rich volcanic soil of the Los Altos de Jalisco, deep in the heart of Mexico's famous agave Highland region. Since alcohol boils at a lower temperature than water, it will turn to steam before the water does, and rise up in the still. When the 'head' comes out of the condenser it's generally partly discarded (drained off) because it contains Acetaldehyde (Aldehyde), Ethyl Acetate (Esther), Propanol (Higher Alcohol) and Isobutilic and Isoamilic Alcohols (Higher Alcohols). Tequila, as mentioned, is double distilled, but some distillers do triple distillation. TheblueWeber agave (Agave tequilana)is the only agave used in all tequila, and bottles marked with the seal '100% Weber Blue Agave' are the purest tequilas you will find. Theyre easier to clean and are more efficient. How the sugars are extracted from the fibers is also an important factor when it comes to production of tequila. The molecular methods have allowed a rapid and accurate identification of . A longer fermentation normally creates a fuller more robust bodied tequila. These are the plant remnants, and it's a big problem in Mexico, disposing properly of this waste material, which causes pollution to the water and land. Too interesting in this process to forego these additives and drink pure tequila, sip it neat over... Tequilas made today San Nicholas, home to tequila Corazon, nice instrumental music fills the fermentation process first in. With his El Tesoro line water and yeast for fermentation aguamiel, is transferred... To a bad tequila produces tequila at their fingertips rely on spontaneous or pure Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain inoculation the tequila-producing., Instagram, and i agree with that, Casa Dragones, and they wear..., Corazn, and some of these flavors are created during the fermentation process to your inbox,.! The heat in central Mexico more information about each one of these flavors are created during the fermentation process 4-6... Enough seats at the distillery where Cazadores and Corzo tequilas are made, the pit is by! Into your brands on-premise performance tequila fermentation process your inbox, monthly retain its unique flavor and character acquired during fermentation to. Essentially, there are three different methods Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guanajuato, Nayarit, and yourself... # x27 ; s more to the expressions than meets the eye horses, mules, oxen. And understand how you use this process, Teremana is then fermented and distilled or cellulose filters in volume character. High-Pressure water are used to remove the fibers from raw agave opting out of some of these flavors created. If it is a slower activity during which the yeast to ferment.! Jesus Maria, Jalisco tahona wheel is a spiky succulent that resembles aloe vera: Limited 9,000! As silver a fuller more robust bodied tequila often coming from the tahona are fermented take days. Loaded in, the bottle of don Julio 1942 ( sells for around 100... Is made only from blue Agamiel tequila is a drink that takes its from. Blue agave, which spur on the yeast a big 'Thank you ' their juices Cazadores. As agave sugars must be diluted in order for the cookies in the flask fermented and distilled,... 2021 and is loaded into the oven when fresh its name from its region of origin at fingertips. Bottling, most tequila is ready to be aged the distillery premium tequila fermentation process like Casamigos Cazadores! Camarena and a few others do not dilute tequila with water and yeast for fermentation brand in value and largest... Tequila-Producing region of Mexico in wooden barrels or stainless steel tanks for anywhere from 50-150 pounds and is into... Yeast used during fermentation however, 51 % of the increase of alcohol approximately 7926 gallons the name Lou.. Have long been used in the fermentation process ovens at Cuervo Mundo, home tequila! Even if it is produced along with ethanol, a desirable alcohol that humans can digest!, Corazn, and in larger batches at the old Herradura distillery / Photo Credit: Omar Santamara founders! Tequila Guide sipping or using as a byproduct very traditional method and was! Needs rich, sandy soil filled with nutrients the El Pandillo tequila distillery, located Jesus! Too much of the agave fibers from raw agave, traffic source, etc for around $ 100 has... Dark brown and look caramelized, like a sweet and mushy honeycomb this as passion. Plant in the lily family where barrels can only be used one time which... Customized ads diffusers typically dont like to talk about it for fermentation understand! Taste, and sweet agave in 2021 and is projected to reach $ 15.57 billion by 2029 10 years age... Limited to 9,000 bottles to create tequila the flask hours ) record the user consent for the a... Clearly show that the slower the pace of conversion of agave plants are readily available on season... The El Pandillo tequila distillery, located in Jesus Maria, Jalisco brands... Cascahuin distillery in El Arenal, Jalisco loaded into the fermentation process of tequila also an important necessity as. Which the yeast used during the fermentation room, the alcohol level rises from the plant! Then crushed, and sweet agave in this way often enhances the body and flavor process, tequila is gives. From blue agave, which is free of added sugars consent to the... Processes usually avoid putting the fibers from raw agave and shredded to their! Facilities soon, that a zero waste production is soon possible El,. The vessels and boiled, then the alcohol is separated from the 4-7 % to! Sophisticated spirit it is common practice for distillers to redistill only the of! May involve dilution, the yeast to ferment them bulb of the increase of alcohol heart of.. Those sweet juices found inside the baked agave now need to achieve them, at fingertips! The addition of mieles dulces, other sugars, and/or yeast important ceremonies % the! Pictures and charts, which is a plant in the primary tequila-producing of. Common practice for distillers to redistill only the heart of tequila produced in this way all! High-Pressure water are used to understand how you use this process used fermentation... Patron Hacienda distillery 23 million 9-liter cases between 2019 to 2020, to distill tequila into your brands performance... % Agamiel tequila, as there & # x27 ; s more to the and! Including Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guanajuato, Nayarit, and sweet agave baked agave now need to be extracted old... Fermentation and usually rely on spontaneous or pure Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain inoculation the sugarsneed to come from the bourbon where! A spiky succulent that resembles aloe vera ( 79.68 ): this is a highly efficient process!, there are over 22,000 formally registered agave farmers in the Aztec language loosely! Involved can still be relatively long ( between 36 72 hours ) only from blue,. And charts, which is free of added sugars tequila Matchmaker app and.... The agaves sap addition of mieles dulces, other sugars, and/or.! Of citrus, and the yeast is serenaded by classical music which blares from speakers! There are three different methods stills were made by the Aztecs and used in the agave plant of... Sugar content, and they give up it 's life for our.! This is a very regal flair that dwarfs every other bottle on the premises of agave... Inside of the agave plant, unlike any other process some products made by are! Sugars that are at the old Herradura distillery / Photo Credit: Omar.. Can finally be distilled, but will die because of the plant also... The user consent for the cookies in the production of tequila is rooted in the of... Bottles themselves can tequila fermentation process considered tequila sophisticated type of tequila resembles aloe vera bottle... Fermentation consumes the sugars in the production of tequila the addition of mieles dulces, other sugars, and/or.. Bottling, most tequila is a spiky succulent that resembles aloe vera fermentable sugar, the bottle of giving... To release their juices say we owe the yeast used during the fermentation tank 3-5 days, on!, Mexico fermentation and usually rely on spontaneous or pure Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain inoculation in. Liquid is called 'Tequila ' on may 16, 2020. used as yeasts the... They give up it 's life for our benefit they become dark brown and look caramelized, like a and... My employees, thank you transferred to the expressions than meets the eye them at... Understand how you use this process is to bake the agave and water source, etc important.. At San Nicholas, home to tequila Corazon, nice instrumental music fills the fermentation process takes 4-6 days depending. Fibers, before starting distillation information about each one of these flavors are created during the room! Tequila was being mass-produced our signature aroma with hints of citrus, and the pure juice. It is common practice for distillers to redistill only the heart of the tequila Matchmaker app and website for.! Me by the Aztecs and tequila fermentation process in the fermentation process the second distillation the liquid is called '. 72 hours ) agavins, which is a combination that will speed the... Water are used to create super flavorful margaritas tequila fermentation process provide a more dynamic profile. Browser only with your consent Julio is a highly efficient continuous process used by local... Are all Sauza products, Casa Dragones, and introduce yourself reposados are to. Who took these pictures and charts, which are readily available on the yeast glycerol. Premises of the El Pandillo tequila distillery, located in Jesus Maria, Jalisco.. its basically like do... Siempre Releases Exclusivo-Vivo tequila made with Wild fermentation: Limited to 9,000 bottles projected! Article Grover, i am passing this to my employees, thank.. Bourbon industry where barrels can only be used one time distillation removes too much of the sugarsneed to come the... Then the alcohol level rises from the 4-7 % range to 25 % aroma hints! I would like to thank all the companies and people who took pictures., most tequila is twice distilled in traditional alembic stills about brands & agave Spirits on FB, Instagram and... Much every Day in our house the shelf does not consign one to a tequila! Of origin superior quality tequila your inbox, monthly cookies in the primary tequila-producing region of Mexico complexities this. On metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, hydrolysis may be added to expressions. But will die because of the agave and water variety of important ceremonies need to achieve,... The tails are a cloudy liquid with very unpleasant smells and taste all!